One of the highlights of my school year is our annual Homeschool Moms’ Retreat! For the past five years I’ve had the privilege of planning these retreats with my dear friend, Barbie. Planning these events is quite an effort. It used to be that we’d not really anticipate doing it again once we succeeded in completing a retreat. Of late it’s been so looked forward to that instead of asking God, “Should we do another one?” we ask Him, “What theme do You want us to do this time?”

Barbie and I each homeschool five children and live about an hour away from each other, and don't get together very often through the year.  In the planning and preparing process of our retreats we share ideas via lots of e-mails, but basically let God lead us individually as we go. When we both arrive at the retreat site, Cedar Lakes Campground, armed with boxes and baskets full of goodies, we’re always in awe at how marvelously God brings it all together! We work so well together that it’s really unbelievable!

We usually host between 12 and 24 ladies for Friday night through Saturday afternoon. For guest speakers we’ve always drawn from our wonderful support groups of loving, seasoned homeschool moms who would be willing to share with us in our various topic areas. The titles of our past retreats have been “All Things Through Christ,”  “A Friend Loveth At All Times,” “Time Seasons Our Lives with Purpose,” “Liberty and Freedom Through Christ,” and this year’s was our best yet “Daughter’s of the King.” We celebrated our glorious role as heirs of God’s kingdom through Jesus Christ and His marvelous grace!

 "The King's daughter is all glorious within..." Psalm 45:13

Our schedule this year included:

Speakers:

*Veteran Homeschool Mom, Vicky, sharing how their family maintains “Royal Relationships in the Home.”

*Former model, Belinda, shared about God’s perspective on our outward beauty “Being a Princess Inside and Out.” Complete with lessons in makeup application, color analysis, and a makeover for one mom.

*Barbie shared her gleanings from the book “Order in the Court or Castle in Chaos.” With a round table discussion on household management.

*I shared my gleanings from the book “Keeping a Princess Heart in a Not so Fairytale World” as it applies to homeschooling areas.

*Saturday morning devotional was also lead by, Sheila, demonstrating what kind of “pillars” we should be for God.

            Video:

*Nicole Johnson’s “Keeping a Princess Heart in a Not so Fairytale World"

            Crafts:

*Scrapbooking Friday night, making awesome little “squash books” designed like treasure chests filled with our” family treasures.”

*Painting, and embellishing wooden makeup trays.

            Food:

*Friday night snack banquet with the most delicious delicacies that everyone brought from home!

*Breakfast & Lunch at the dining services at the camp-scrumptious!

            Games:

*How Well Do You Know the King?

*Pass The Slipper

*What’s in the Princess’ Purse?

*Dress the Princess (a scavenger hunt)

Prizes & Favors Galore:

* Princess bag with a jeweled pen and engraved pencil

* Potted ivy with a frog prince pot-sitter reminding us to remember to kiss our toads when they need some charm restored.

* Retreat program written as a first-person “Princess Diary” to record our thoughts and the weekend’s events.

* Air-freshener for our “castles”

* Picture frame for the royal couple

* Mirror and tissue holder

* Every true princess found a “sweet pea” treat under her pillow Friday night

* Candy jar reminding us to fill our castles with hugs and kisses

* Perpetual devotional which we kept going through the whole retreat. We filled small suitcases with items representing the sacrifices Jesus made for us so that we’d be “Equipped for the Trip” to His Heavenly Kingdom someday! Everyone got a turn to read scriptures.

            A FREE Book Swap

*Each Princess brought a few used books that she was willing to trade in the royal library. How good is THAT?

I can’t tell you what a blessing the fellowship was! Homeschool moms are the best! This gathering always proves to be a great blend of new and veteran moms from all over the place, not just a click of moms that know each other well. So we always enjoy meeting new friends each year. Barbie and I keep getting complimented for “all our hard work,” and it IS hard, but it’s so rewarding! Seeing weary moms come out for the weekend to relax, laugh, and rejoice in the Lord, is such a blessing!

We’d love to have you join us next year!