Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Retreat Wrap

 
From 2010-05-23

Despite all the "surprises" which called team members away, despite the virus' running rampant...we met last weekend for Sweet Life Cafe - Savoring God's Presence. This was a Group Publishing retreat that our President picked out. Anyone who knows me, KNOWS that I am skeptical of boxed anything. ::snort::  It really was a great spine to build upon. We discovered it didn't have the teaching we desired. So....that's where I spent the majority of my time and energy....working on devotionals and messages for the retreat.  We also added small group leaders - "Cafe Group Leaders".  The decorations and setting were perfect for a "cafe" theme and tied in great with our vision of nurturing relationships. I'd recommend this package IF you are willing to tweak the plan to fit your group, able to let God move OUTSIDE THE BOX, and have someone who can take a spine and come up with devotionals. There are only 3 sessions in the box....we found that to be too little for a weekend retreat and added two more sessions.  The small group dynamic was WONDERFUL - it was an answer to our prayers. My mind is whirling with ways to incorporate next year's PWOCI theme into this sort of retreat. I wonder if PWOC could create "retreat in a box" type spines to go with themes.  ::snort::
 

From 2010-05-23

 

From 2010-05-23




From 2010-05-23


I didn't envision speaking while fighting a virus - but God proved, yet again, it's about the MESSAGE and not the fripperies or the MESSENGER...He is so good to me....I was blessed to be a blessing. I've been humbled and awed by the Father's great love for His daughters as various ones shared what the messages meant to their lives.  From feedback we are receiving, I believe many were blessed, in many ways. By the end of the retreat I was getting used to my new sultry, deep-throated voice. I threw up during worship before the first session (it was NOT nerves - it was a virus). I struggled through the sore throat and croaky voice....but GOD SHOWED UP and that is so much more important than a polished speaker, cutsy decor or charming bags....though those details often set a woman at ease and allow her to relax in the presence of God.

We had a wonderful supply coordinator and she took over hospitality too. Between her work, the decorating team's work, and the sweet gal behind the hotel counter....I think our ladies felt loved and welcomed. It was a delight to see all the detailed work of the past months come together to bless our ladies. It was a true joy!
 

From 2010-05-23


From 2010-05-23


From 2010-05-23


From 2010-05-23
Laura (pink) was also my brave roommate
From 2010-05-23
Susane was our President this year, and will be our President in the upcoming year. God has blessed us with continuity and many new ladies to come alongside and build on the foundation of a great 2009/10 team.
From 2010-05-23

I stayed in the Tatami/Futon room.

From 2010-05-23

It was really quite comfortable when I stacked all the futons on top of each other the second night. ::snort::

From 2010-05-23

I also loved the onsen and the robes for schlepping around the hotel.

From 2010-05-23

What happens at retreat stays at retreat!

From 2010-05-23

Cafe Groups

From 2010-05-23


From 2010-05-23

Skits

From 2010-05-23

Service Projects

From 2010-05-23

Worship and the Word

From 2010-05-23

Free time in a great location on a sunny day...ah the joys of Onsens.

From 2010-05-23

Practical Jokes...they got tired of my cow bell. The kids thought this was VERY funny!

From 2010-05-23

 
All serve to create a Refreshing PWOC Retreat



Do note our only male - front and center - Steven was a perfect angel and a blessing to all who watched him light up the hotel. I was  glad Tanya took us up on the offer for nursing moms to attend. Together we showed it is possible to minister to young mom's needs and older mom's needs at the same event. God God! Go TEAM! BTW Steven is the little guy who decided to make his appearance at the end of an Inductive Bible Study Workshop......and he blazed the trail by being our first baby at the ladies retreat. Go Steven - already  doing great things in the Kingdom.
 

I've been busy since arriving home. Sunday we celebrated Arielle's birthday.

Monday was spent preparing for our local end of the year potluck and installation for the new PWOC board. I've also been catching up on details for Asia Region's WILD training the  first weekend of June.

I will be the local PWOC Titus 2 (mentor) and Retreat Coordinator/Team Leader or some such title. (Yes, I know I need to memorize the Women's Ministry Manual - I'm working on it. ::grin::) I've spent quite a bit of time evaluating this year's retreat and getting notes on paper to be ready to go for a new year. I look forward to building a team to love on and work with towards 2011's retreat. I've also been working on composing a survey for this year's retreat. My goal is to glean all the helpful feedback we can NOW, while the retreat is fresh in every one's minds.

Oh yeah, and I filled out three annual After Action Reports for the positions I held this year on the local board (Titus 2, Watchcare (fall semester) and Leadership Selection Chair). I also booked airline tickets from Aomori to Seoul and Seoul to Tokyo. I'll worry about train tickets from Tokyo to Misawa at a later date....when we figure out which date I'll go scope out a hotel in Tokyo.

Now you know why it's Wednesday and I'm JUST NOW blogging about this weekend's retreat. Shameful state of affairs. ::snort::