Back in January or February my women's ministry leader came to me and asked if I would take over the planning of the women's retreat at our Church. This is a first retreat for this church, and they figured they would give it a try, see how it goes. I have never been to a retreat so I was a little hesitant, but after LOTS of prayer I got my answer and said YES.
The hardest part about planning the retreat was not knowing anything about retreats and having a short amount of time to get women to sign up. I think a lot of women were hesitant to sign up because it was the first retreat plus its the end of the school year so busy schedules play a big part. I can say that through the whole planning process I never felt overwhelmed or stressed out, I just had a peace about it which was a great feeling to have.
The last week of planning Juliana got really sick, so between cuddle times with her I would do the things that needed to be done. It all worked out just fine!
Enough about me and planning though, lets get to the Retreat!
We had the retreat at a very sweet spot that is nestled in the bottom of the mountain. It was rustic but very peaceful. Huachuca Oaks Baptist Camp.
The owners of the place were very sweet and so helpful through out the entire process.
We started with a fun ice breaker game. The ladies had to figure out what famous person they were. It was a great way to get everyone chatting and mingling.
Next we had a worship session {Pictures below} The ladies did a great job! After that Kay our Women's Ministry Leader {and one of my favorite people} led us in prayer and introduced our speaker.
Now let me tell you about our speaker, she is just to amazing for words! Her name is Victoria Robinson, she is a international speaker, a mother of 4, grandmother of 4 and a ridiculously passionate woman of God! She is someone that you want as your best friend or at least as a mentor! I have heard her speak a few times now and every message that she gives is just as important and as amazing as the last! I wish I would have gotten more pictures of her speaking but I was really wanting to get the full message so listening was more important then pictures.
The title of the whole retreat and of Victoria's message was "Getting to the Heart of Words". Ladies, this is something that EVERYONE needs! I want to share her "Ten Commandments" of Godly Communication. This is something that every Women {and man} should learn to live by!
#1 Your words are to be truthful
Proverbs 12:22
#2 Your words are to be pleasing to God.
Psalms 19:14
#3 Your words are to be life giving.
Proverbs 18:21
#4 Your words are to be encouraging.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
#5 Your words are to be gracious.
Ecclesiastes 10:12
#6 Your words are to be wise.
Proverbs 10:13
#7 Your words are to be few.
Proverbs 10:19
#8 Your words are to be timely.
Proverbs 15:23
#9 Your words are to be an investment.
Proverbs 12:14
#10 Your words are to be loving.
1 Corinthians 13:1 ; Exodus 20:16
By June Hunt
I plan on printing all of these out one at a time and working on them individually, along with memorizing the verse that goes with it. I wish I could share every single thing that Victoria spoke on, I really wish I had recorded her so that I could share the whole message! It is such a good one to have but the way she delivers it adds so much more. There is another Godly Communications guideline that she gave us by Norman Wright that is worth looking into as well.
After each session we broke into small groups to discuss what she had just spoke about. It was a great time to reflect on the message and to figure out how we would apply it to our daily lives. Hearing the other ladies open up about their own lives and where they felt they could best change was awesome to hear, when you can identify your own problems and admit that you need to change it is a huge thing no matter how small that change may be.
After a crazy delicious lunch we did a little craft. I asked the ladies to paint a river rock and then to think of a word that applied to their lives right now. They painted that word on one side and then I had them look up a verse having to do with that word which they then wrote the verse on the back of the rock. I also had them make a 2nd rock for a friend or a neighbor, using a word to encourage them. I think painting can be very relaxing and therapeutic so I think it was a nice way to relax a little in the afternoon.
After the craft we had a Q and A with Victoria. I asked her a parenting question and she gave me the name of a book that I fully intend on buying, parents you might want to get it also its called "Parenting with Love and Logic" by Foster Cline and Jim Fay. I just love picking God loving women's brains, especially at this stage in my life, I have a TON to learn and who better to learn it from?!
Before the last session we had a little snack time. We had a cookies and milk bar. Who doesn't love cookies and milk?! {We had more cookies, I just hadn't put them out yet}
Our worship ladies were amazing, they put together a fun little skit all about gossip. It was just adorable!
After the last speaking session we all said our good-byes. It was bitter-sweet for me, all I had prayed for the past few months was that God would show up. We had a small group but I think it was perfect and much more intimate. Most importantly God DID show up! I could see it in the ladies eyes and hear it in their words as they said their good-byes. Everyone got a good word and if we can just apply it to our daily lives I think it would improve our homes and our communities so much. I feel blessed to have had this opportunity to plan the retreat and to spend a whole day with all of these ladies.
Comments