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"Mountain Top Journey was more than what I expected. Starting with the ride down with the girls, it was an experience I will never forget. The conversation that started taking place set us up to start our healing process faster than what I expected to happen. As I reached or destination, I could feel I was in the right place. It was nice to have someone who knew the Mountains and could help guide us to what we should be focusing on. I will never forget the first hike and first waterfall. I had such a release there and let things go that I was able to really take God’s country in. Every new place we went the more I wanted. Everything we did had its own little purpose. It just fell into place. The company was wonderful. The food was amazing and never went hungry. The relaxing moments we had even had their own special moments in our healing process. Time went way too fast. It was a wonderful experience that I hope to do again one day. So much fun laughter and tears but shared with a wonderful group of women I did not know before. It was bitter sweet to have to leave but coming home even led to deeper conversations that helped us to prepare for coming back home. Just to have a new group of Christian women to talk to is a blessing of its own. Mountain Top Journey will never be forgotten."
~Tonya L. - IL |
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"Smokey Mountain Memories, the song…this was calling me. I came away with it in my heart with this retreat – just the verse Smokey Mountain Memories. The fond memories I will hold onto and the new connection with these four girls! The lessons, fun, food, hiking, swimming, hot tub, shopping and the incredible massage from Tammy. The safe, constructive week Jodi provided, the safe travels! Thank You!"
~Lori S. - IL |
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"It has been a very powerful experience in the mountains. Just relaxing, laughing, crying, and relating. Telling our most intimate details of our lives, knowing it will not go any further. There was no pressure to share or a feeling of judgement. It felt amazing to connect to these girls. There was a good balance between teaching, activities, and conversation. Jodi went out of her way to accommodate. This is definitely her calling. I feel more rejuvenated, relaxed, more powerful and nurtured. Closer to our God. I learned tools such as praying the The Prayer of Jabez. I can ask an abundance of prayer for myself and others. This is awesome! To be able to feel in my hear closer and connect to our God, I’m ready to conquer my obstacles. Our cabin and the smell of cedar as you walked in along with the mountain view was breath taking, surrounded by God’s beauty. Knowing He loves me, unconditionally is just overwhelming. One of the greatest experiences of my life! I thank God that I was blessed to be able to on Mountain Top Journey Retreat with Jodi. Thank You Jodi for your kind, generous leadership. I needed this!"
Six weeks later: "Since the retreat, I can’t wait to share the amount of prayers that have been answered! I always felt like I was unworthy to ask for an abundant amount of prayers. After the retreat, I learned that it is alright to pray for things, that is what God wants you to do. I pray for the same things everyday and half of those have already happened! Unbelievable! Wow! I am so pleased and happy I went to your retreat just to realize, it’s OK to pray for as many thing that you want to happen in your life. I do the Jabez prayer everyday." ~Marla B. - IL |
I walked barefoot along the gravel path, my journal in one hand, my sandals in the other. The path led me straight to the side of the creek, full of rocks. The water gurgled noisily, blocking out the sound of traffic up on the road. Trees and boulders kept me mostly hidden, while I dangled me feet into the clear, cold water.
As I sat there on that hard, rounded rock, weathered and beaten by countless storms, I looked at the indentation on my right, and I envisioned Jesus sitting there beside me.
He knew the burden I was carrying, the struggle I had along with it. I also knew it was time to lay it down. I leaned over, reaching out, and physically laid it into his nail-scarred hands. "I'm done," I said, tears running down my cheeks; "take it." I knew there wasn't anything more I could do with it, and I also knew carrying it was weighting me down. "It's yours now, I know you can take care of it for me."
I thanked Him for not giving up on me, and for being patient with me while I processed one more stepping stone. How else would we learn life lessons if He didn't allow us to go through the hard things?
And then I asked Him what He thinks. "What do you want me to know? What do you want to tell me?" I looked into His eyes, and it broke me even more. He reached out His arms, so full of love and compassion, and drew me to Him, ever so gently inviting me to lay my head on His shoulder, and to just be; to rest. I sobbed, I couldn't stop. But there was release, and the peace came.
This was one of my greatest experiences on the Mountain Top Journey.
Lydia L - MN
As I sat there on that hard, rounded rock, weathered and beaten by countless storms, I looked at the indentation on my right, and I envisioned Jesus sitting there beside me.
He knew the burden I was carrying, the struggle I had along with it. I also knew it was time to lay it down. I leaned over, reaching out, and physically laid it into his nail-scarred hands. "I'm done," I said, tears running down my cheeks; "take it." I knew there wasn't anything more I could do with it, and I also knew carrying it was weighting me down. "It's yours now, I know you can take care of it for me."
I thanked Him for not giving up on me, and for being patient with me while I processed one more stepping stone. How else would we learn life lessons if He didn't allow us to go through the hard things?
And then I asked Him what He thinks. "What do you want me to know? What do you want to tell me?" I looked into His eyes, and it broke me even more. He reached out His arms, so full of love and compassion, and drew me to Him, ever so gently inviting me to lay my head on His shoulder, and to just be; to rest. I sobbed, I couldn't stop. But there was release, and the peace came.
This was one of my greatest experiences on the Mountain Top Journey.
Lydia L - MN
Once in a while we meet someone,
never realizing how their lives will impact our own. Or vice versa.
And yet.
When it happens we can see with clarity that God had a plan all along.
My jottings about my own Mountain Top Journey wouldn’t be complete without recognizing the woman behind it all.
Sometimes when life deals one painful, even difficult blows they take those blows, grow through them and glorify the Mighty Creator.
Mountain Top Journey was birthed through my friend doing just that….
Her story is heart wrenching.
Yet, she continues to get up, show up and glorify.
On these Journeys in the mountains….she will cover you with prayers, love on you incessantly, bathe you in compassion and hold space for all you bring. She delights in accommodating you the very best way she can…allowing you the freedom to RELAX, RELEASE, RECONNECT, and REJUVENATE granting you the very best possible experience.
She is fearless, faithful and fabulous all in one package!
THANK YOU SWEET FRIEND. Love you!
Dorothy M - IN
Mountain Top Journey was such a wonderful experience! I didn't even know how much I needed it.
We laughed, we cried, we ate too much entirely. We hiked, we healed and we forged friendships. We had heavenly massages and sat in the hot tub and we had lessons with Jodi Stout about healing and God and grief and blessings and surrender. It all fits together beautifully.
At night we got to go and explore the beautiful towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
If you ever have the chance I encourage you to go! It is worth any effort it takes to clear your schedule and go sit and hike in the mountains and be rejuvenated, refreshed, and restored.
So Thankful for my husband who encourages me to do things for myself and made the 2 hour trip to the airport twice for me!
I am Blessed!
Laurie S - WI
We laughed, we cried, we ate too much entirely. We hiked, we healed and we forged friendships. We had heavenly massages and sat in the hot tub and we had lessons with Jodi Stout about healing and God and grief and blessings and surrender. It all fits together beautifully.
At night we got to go and explore the beautiful towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.
If you ever have the chance I encourage you to go! It is worth any effort it takes to clear your schedule and go sit and hike in the mountains and be rejuvenated, refreshed, and restored.
So Thankful for my husband who encourages me to do things for myself and made the 2 hour trip to the airport twice for me!
I am Blessed!
Laurie S - WI