In April, we held our annual Women's Retreat at the CC Hot Springs Conference Center. Our theme this year was "Daughters of the King"
How appropriate it was that the street to the back of the campus was named "Princess Road" and it was located right next to our cabins for the weekend. What a royal welcome!
The moment we drove on the campus, we felt relaxed...
...such a beautiful setting.
The registration table, the reunion of friends that we hadn't seen for a whole year...
...the royal jewels adorning the table as a centerpiece. "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession." (1Peter 2:9)
Our speaker for the weekend was Ruth
She is such a gifted communicator.
Penny and Debbie led the singing...
...I helped out with the keyboard.
We had several mother-daughter combos this year, so much fun!
Small group prayer-sharing was a highlight
On Saturday morning, we came to breakfast, and found a golden crown by each plate...
...we all felt like royalty!
New friendships were formed...
...we even did some "shopping" at the annual auction table.
And these young gals were in charge of the Saturday afternoon craft projects...
...yes, that was also a fun event!
Natural beauty, no matter what time of day.
Evenings were time for relaxing at the spa...
...or in one of the many hot springs pools.
The coffee shop was a great time to sip and fellowship with people from other retreat groups, as well as our own. (Besides, they had great tasting coffee!)
One evening, we enjoyed an old-fashioned campfire chorus and testimony time. (Remember those old songs: Give Me Oil in my Lamp, keep me burning for the Lord; "Chain Chorus;" Do Lord?)
No guitar that night, but we did have an auto-harp.
Each morning began with prayer and praise.
And on Saturday evening, we had some fun!
Lots of skits...
a great time of laughter...
and of song!
We are blessed to be a blessing!
Two generations
On the last day, we had prayer for the new leadership team
...and we honored this faithful saint for the many years of service that she has given to women's ministry. She has been such an inspiration to so many people through the years, praise God!
And then time for a group shot before we left.
What a joy, what a privilege to be chosen as a child of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. May we always live up to the calling we have been given!
The retreat center has the motto, "Refreshing the Saints."
Yes, we left that place feeling truly refreshed!
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