we went away this weekend as a family. the timing was perfect. pat and i needed some time to reconnect - as a couple and a family. and it allowed for both.
our church did a family retreat about 3 1/2 years ago. yes, sawyer was less than a month old.
we had a blast on that one. and this one was the same.
there were about 20 families. it was at a retreat center. we just walked into the dining area for our meals (NO cooking/cleanup! close to being my favorite part and probably would have been if it wasn't for lincoln's deal with seeing a buffet of food.}
we got to be with friends we know well. get to know people we only knew a little bit. and met some AMAZING new families!
the purpose of the weekend was to encourage families and to give them some nuggets to take away to keep pressing on and pushing their families to know Christ more. it was so fun. super relaxing (i was seriously relaxed!) the whole format was planned with FAMILIES in mind - and it was so great! there was a little teaching time - while the kids were being watched. there was time for pat and i to go off on a mini-date. there was game night one night, movie night another. there was LOTS of games and playing to have FUN with our kids (and make them VERY tired!) and some fun adult time after the kids were in bed. and we finished with a family worship service...singing all together and laughing at a silly skit was a GREAT way to end an amazing weekend! made me realize that not many things are set up FOR families. we all loved it.
we are so so thankful to our children's pastor for his vision and passion for the families of our church. for all his (and his wife's!) work in making this happen.
i chose not to take my camera - to really BE there. i wish i had pictures to show you how great it was. but i don't think any of us will forget it, so i'm glad i didn't take pictures.
pat and the kids are off tomorrow. which is an added blessing! feeling very content and thankful at the moment. and challenged to keep striving to love pat and each of my kids with all i have in me.
5 comments:
How awesome is that!!!! Would love more info you could send me or that your pastor could send me. You are right - churches don't do a whole lot for the WHOLE family together - what a special time!!! So thankful uou could do it! :)
sounds wonderful. what a great idea. I've never even heard of that except for your church.
WHERE WAS IT?! That sounds so neat! We've done family summer camp when our kids were yours ages! fond memories! love getting glimpses of your fam;)
I wish we could have gone! Everyone is saying how great it was.
I just came across your awesome blog via Megan Clarke. LOVE your encouraging perspective! I second your rave review of the family retreat. We had an absolute blast and the girls are still asking to go back to the hotel. We are so grateful to attend RBC!
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