"This was my first retreat experience. It was amazing."
"Thank you for an incredible weekend."
"It was so fun to meet so many women; many whom I had not seen before."
"This weekend was just what I needed right now."
"I loved how all ages of women, young and old, came together as one."

These were some of the comments I heard from our annual Women's Retreat, held two weeks ago over the weekend in Lake Tahoe. It really was an amazing weekend, for many reasons:
· The weather was sunny and beautiful
· The setting was spectacular - with the snow drenched mountains framing the deep blue hues of Lake Tahoe
· 95 women from ages 16 - 60+ laughed, cried, played, ate and learned together
· We got to baptize a couple of women in Lake Tahoe
· In our "Courage to Create" room, women tried their hand at oil painting, egg painting, finger painting, rock painting, watercolors, clay and bracelet making. Creativity abounded!
· In small groups, women shared their lives and stories, building new friendships and strengthening old ones

>From the very beginning, our planning team had a strong sense that God had a great weekend in store for us. There was an ease in the details coming together, and a joy in serving alongside the 27 other women who had been given some kind of responsibility for a part of the retreat. God moved in hearts as He brought healing, comfort, courage, joy and peace. He worked through our speakers, who had lovingly and prayerfully prepared what God had put on their hearts to share.

Something wonderful happens when we carve out time and space to break away from the ordinary stresses of daily life, and make room in our life to "retreat" in a beautiful setting with others on this pilgrim journey of faith. For some, the most spiritually formative thing that happened was a long overdue nap - a much needed respite for mind and body. Others found sacred space sitting alone on the dock, or on a long walk through the pines. Some encountered God in a meaningful conversation with someone else. Others had their heart stirred in our worship time or in something shared by a speaker. And "belly laugh till you cry" therapy was certainly good medicine!

I left this retreat with a renewed love for the women of Oak Hills Church and a sheer delight in what God is doing among us as we continue to seek Him more, to grow more into who He desires for us to be, to build lasting relationships, to value every generation and to simply delight in Him and in each other.

I hope you'll join us next year - April 29 - May 1 (put it on your calendar!)

this Sunday - "How to Not Be an Evangelist . . ." Discussion
May 30 - One Service Sunday Celebration
June 3 - 6 - Middle School's Endless Summer Camp
June 5 - Men's Breakfast
June 14-18 - Arts Camp