It's that time of year again. And I get to start doing one of my favorite things.... planning our Girlfriends  Retreat. This year we've decided to dream BIG and rent a lodge that will enable us to invite about twice as many gals. This is so exciting! Here it is: Hidden Point Lodge  Be sure to take a peek!! It sleeps 32, has a private pool, jacuzzi and hot tub, a double-appliance kitchen, and much, much more!! All the amenities a girl needs to pamper herself.

Next on the agenda is to pray for a theme. From that, we'll piece together some study and discussion times. Sometimes we use a book. A couple years ago we used "When Women Long for Rest" (a must read). Last year we studied the life of Esther. We've talked about life during the "desert times". Because we have some moms, some singles, some married with no children, we need to try to choose something that would speak to women in general.

Other parts of our time together will include lots of time for fun, relaxation, shopping, and sharing meals together. Someone will coordinate the food and menu. Others will come prepared to share their interest in a craft....stamping, scrapbooking, bracelets. One year a gal came and showed us how to make homemade pie crusts. We try to pack ALOT in.

One of my favorite parts of planning retreats is being able to share it with someone who's never been on a retreat before. Every year, each women goes away taking something very special with her.....a new friendship, a new Word from God, a new look on life, marriage, or motherhood. 

I think what sets it apart is the time we give ourselves to just get away from our daily routines....to just be women....to connect with other women who listen and encourage us....and to challenge eachother to be the women that God wants us to be. It's much more then "a break away". It's a time to get refueled, revived, and recommitted. I don't think there is one aspect of ourlives that it doesn't have the capability of touching or changing for the better.

I encourage every woman to take one weekend a year to retreat somewhere away from the ordinary. Do you have any retreat experiences you can tell about? Have you ever been on a retreat?