Princess In Paradise PR
I was sitting on my front porch swing, with the world as I knew it, having recently fallen apart... but, my salvation, and my calling- they were still in tact. When we hit rock bottom, we still have Jesus to lean on, to cling to, and to trust, IF we know Him and have a true relationship with Him. It was at that point, that God gifted me a vision, in which He displayed how He could wrap all of the talents, abilities, skills, and even personality that He had given me, into one defined purpose. My history is already in ministry, and praise/worship, but, this calling is deeper, more well-defined. He supplied the name (Princess in Paradise) and He gave me the place (Puerto Rico). It was such an awakening, and it made perfect sense to me. God amazes me in His plans, and it is never, ever just like we think it will be. Everything just clicked, and, it was life-altering.
I could not, at that point, have told you how to find Puerto Rico on a map. I had never been there, not even to visit. I was aware of the horrific hurricane that had devastated the island, a year prior, but, I had little other knowledge.
It didn't stop with just that vision. He instead, confirmed His plan many times, and in many different ways. I KNEW that I had a job to do. I trusted God, and I set out to do it. I began packing what I would need, stored what I couldn't take, and got rid of what wasn't necessary. I listened to God, and I trusted Him.
I am a small town girl (of some age now, with grown kids, beautiful grandbabies and both parents still living) from a little town near Eureka Springs, AR. I come from a place where you don't just up and move to another country. But, if God said... then, how could I not? I am in a stage of life where it is just me (and I am enough)… with no binding attachments... so... I booked the flight, got things in order, hugged my precious family and landed in the big city of San Juan, Puerto Rico, to begin the mission. I have now made my way to the western side of the island, where the pace slows down. I felt very much like Abraham, when God told him to "get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee". But, God will show me everything I need to know. And, God will provide. He already is opening doors, performing miracles and making a way.
I did not come here wealthy. I came here in obedience. But, this is not about me. It is about all of the women who are walking around in every day life, pretending that everything is ok, but hurting deeply inside. Pretending that they are strong, because they think they have to. Pretending that they are the "perfect Christian" and that they have got it all together. It is also about the one that can get invited by a friend, and learn of this Savior called Jesus, this One who will never leave you, nor forsake you. The One who can take away the hurts.
I am not talking about peer pressure to have the perfect house and lawn, and keeping up with the Joneses. I am not talking about breaking a nail. I am talking about much deeper things... like surviving abuse (even from way back, and how it still affects you), I am talking about the loss of a child, or a spouse. I am talking about poverty, a broken heart, the struggles of kids on drugs or in jail, living with someone verbally abusive (whether it be a man or your mother) and the damage we carry from all sorts of things. Or, we may learn that we are the ones inflicting the hurt. Hurting people do actually hurt other people, without realizing it. We react differently to things that occur in everyday life as a result of own experiences. Some things are due to choices we have made, yes, but, also, due to things that have happened which were beyond our control. It is about those living in fear, or rejection, or shame, bondage and depression. Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." This is about discovering who you truly are... not who you have settled to become.
I have been through things, too. I too, have carried damage and hurts. But, I also know what it is like to have the healing hand of Jesus take it all away, how His touch can do it in just one moment and I desperately want to share this with others, to end their suffering, too. It is about growth, and healing, and reality. It is about the wisdom and the wonderful comfort of Holy Spirit as we are blanketed in complete, pure, love. It is about salvation by a merciful God, and restoration through His healing Word. It wipes away the past. It is about equipping ladies to have a fresh start, and taking tools home with them to help them figure out how to do life. To be happy. To be healthy. It is about friendship. It is about love. It is about faith. And, it is very much about hope. Without hope... we have lost everything.
Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. ~Proverbs 13:12
This getaway is not a glamorous, flashy, high-dollar retreat for the elite. No. It is more like a casual big-girl slumber party. It is real women welcomed into my home. Not as a guest, as a friend. As family. It is acceptance. It is for a woman from any walk of life; it is small, it is personal, and it is freeing. It is something refreshing they could attend every year, tackle different obstacles if they chose to, or just to maintain balance. It is also in one of the most beautifully created settings of God's amazing earth. It is a way to find that inner princess... the way our King sees us.
It is time to stop pretending. It is time to let the healing begin.
Please help me help them. You may be one of them. Or someone very close to you. Again, we pretend. We hide it. No one knows. Or, we don't even realize the damage we have buried.
Let me tell you what this money will go to, as I came here with only my Bible, my songs, some clothes, and a ukulele.
THE HOUSE AND PROPERTY. It does not need to be a mansion, does not require glamour, but, it does need to be pleasant, and welcoming, in a safe location, and in good repair. It does need to have many rooms or big rooms, for sleeping to accommodate the ladies comfortably, with a good kitchen and ladies rooms/facilities. God will show me the perfect place. We can start small and grow from there. I can do a lot of the work myself (painting, minor repairs, maybe), I am no carpenter. The retreat will require a large enough space in the home to meet, so that we can all be in one area at once, for hands-on learning lessons and interaction. It needs to be in a great location, close to the beach (for healing relaxation) and local activities of this incredible culture as well, as outings are a part of the retreat plan. The Puerto Rican people themselves, this lifestyle, the amazing kindness experienced here will be such a blessing, and so soothing to these sweet souls. The location also needs some privacy, for the sake of the ladies. Safety is a must. These are everyday, fabulous ladies. They are you... or me... your daughter, your niece, or your mom. Your wife, your neighbor, your friend's daughter, or your sister.
NECESSITIES. The house may come furnished, it may not, but there are also things that will need to be added, replenished, updated, supplied, repaired, or decorated. There will have to be a good supply of linens, dishes, website fees/online reservation system, paper supplies, printer, handouts, etc. during retreats, food costs, property upkeep, permits, taxes, fees, landscaping, insurances, advertisement and promotion expenses, utilities, internet and whatever surprises may come up.
THE VEHICLE. I would like to be able to pick the ladies up as they arrive at the airport, a personal, caring treatment, and have the space available to accommodate luggage, with quality/dependability to do so. Arriving alone on the island and navigating transportation or driving here can be harrowing. Plus, we will have outings, and need the seating vehicle.
THE LANGUAGE BARRIER. I am learning so much from the locals! But, repetition helps me to retain it. I think it would be greatly beneficial to utilize a tool, such as Babbel, Rosetta Stone, a local course, or something, so that I can more quickly learn the native language, and be able to assist ladies in whatever ways needed while they are here.
THE RESERVE. I am rather cost-conscious and will not spend what doesn't need to be spent. I would like to establish a cushion of savings, in time, so that I can help offset the cost for someone who truly needs/wants to attend, but, just cannot afford the travel to the island, or can't afford to miss the time off work. It would be prayerfully considered and offered based on discernment, and perhaps referrals or a pre-established criteria being met. I simply do not want a lack of funds to be an issue for someone truly needing to come.
THE OUTCOME. Once a woman walks away healed in their heart, their life changes. The lives of those around them, as a result, can change. They then begin healthily and joyfully pouring life into their family, their friends, their co-workers, their community. It creates a whole, blossoming, growing network of hope.
THE LOCAL EFFECT. It brings a refreshed interest to Puerto Rico. Some in attendance will not have any financial issues. The ladies will come here, and of course, they will love it. Those who can, will want to return, perhaps for vacation with their family, or friends. There is also the blessing of word-of-mouth. We want this. Puerto Rico needs an economical flow. This is one way we can pour blessings back into the local churches (who received no FEMA help due to not being a residence/stipulations, as a result of Hurricane Maria), the local people, the communities, and the help for many that need things so badly, here on the island. I see many homes still in disarray. There is still a recovery process going on here. Many still have not received any kind of insurance settlement following the damages. Puerto Ricans are a wonderful people, with a warm, kind culture... a warmth, which I want to return back to them. May God shelter and flourish this enchanted island, and its beloved people.
Welcome, to Princess In Paradise. Come to the enchanted island, We will sing, we will play. We will study, we will pray. We will heal. And leave with peace of heart, of soul, and of mind. That is what Jesus can do.
Lord Jesus, I just ask You right now, that You will bless the person reading this, as- if they have read this far, they do have a good heart, and You do have a plan for their life. Bless their calling as well, Lord, whether they give to this fund or not, and heal any hurts that are within them, male or female, it doesn't matter. We all have places of hurt. Lord, I just ask You to bless them, like never before. And, bless each one who does give to this mission field, God, in a big, big, way, an Ephesians 3:20 way, God, above and beyond all that we could even think or imagine. And, I ask You, Holy Spirit to guide me on this journey. Keep my focus solely on You, and give me wisdom on how to go about this, which steps to take, and how. And, Lord, when it takes off, send me some help. I'm going to need it. I thank You Lord, Jesus, for dying on that cruel cross for me. For MY sins. And, I thank You God, for my eternal freedom. Life more abundantly. With You. In Jesus' powerful and precious name, Amen.
To get to know me, if that helps, as you are praying about this, you might like to follow my blog. It is encouragement, fun photos and anecdotes, plus experiences along the way in this great adventure with Jesus. My address for my books, also, is here, if this helps you see who I am.
I want to help women with their brokenness. Please help me do this.
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May God bless you richly.
