Retreat 2001 This year's retreat theme was based on pieces being made whole. Being able to see how God sees us and not how we seem to be when we look at ourselves in a mirror. The pieces we used for the retreat were represented through puzzle pieces. But since I couldn't find puzzle pieces, I used quilt pieces. Every year we try to pass out some type of goody for the women to remind them of the retreat. Well we knew we were doing puzzles and then one day as I was going shopping with my daughter and talking to her about the retreat, we saw the colored pencil boxes. I thought, wow, that is cute and a good price! And my daughter said "well puzzles come in boxes", so I called Pam and ran it by her and she liked the idea. Then Pam called Kathy and she picked up the folders and boxes. Pam and some volunteers made our name tags with the puzzle pieces. They also came to help the day we put the boxes together. Here is what we put inside the boxes. A cute note with the following written: Lifesavers remind us of hope so we don't need to fear Kleenex because we know that the Lord wipes away all tears. An Almond Joy remind us that our joy comes from the Lord, not man. Smarties because we're too smart not to follow God's plan. A Kit Kat so you'll realize that you deserve a break today. A pen so you'll record Pam's notes to help you always remember. A puzzle magnet for a reminder of who holds your life together. And a mirror to encourage you to be a reflection of God's love always. Thanks for writing this Pam and thanks to all the women who helped in some way to make this retreat so special. We are truly blessed! This year we were blessed to have 150 women sign up for our retreat. Our Speaker was Pam Farrel. Our worship leader was Melissa Ludolph. And the end of each retreat, we have a time of testimony. I have included some of the testimonies that were emailed to me. The retreat for me was a combination of reaching outside my box and meeting a few really wonderful women, learning something about myself that God has been leading me to since I was very young but too much in denial to see it, and realizing that I can go from feel disconnected (Fri), to extremely vulnerable (Sat. morn small group), to overwhelmingly immersed in the Spirit and fellowship (Sat night) and to sit amazed and on fire in just three days (Sun). God Blessed me so much and I'm so grateful. I would like to thank Lori for joining me on my journey and rooming with me, to Pam Malchow and our small group for encouraging and inspiring me, to Pam Farrell who gave such marvelous insights, Melissa with her music and "Who's yer Daddy" memorable line, and to all the leaders that put together such a profoundly moving and awesome experience! WHERE DO I SIGN UP FOR JUNE!!I can't wait... God Bless Robin Thompson-Kemp I have been on many women's retreats but I must say that this last one was visited by the Lord in a special way. I believe the reason for that is because you are so open and hungry for the things of the Spirit. We enjoyed your visit, Lord! Stay hungry! Melissa Ludolph I was blessed because God had told me that bondages were going to be broken that weekend. And they were. God always has perfect timing doesn't He? I was blessed by the women at my table when we broke up into groups. New Beginning's is a place where God comes and is welcome and His presence is always felt. Thanks to God, Our Women of our church including Melissa and all the Prayer Warriors we have. I also had a nice time with the women who were in my room so blessed by them all. Love and Prayers, Debbie Ashing WOW !!!!! What a Retreat that was. Thank you Lord first of all for such an Amazing, Gifted Speaker you Blessed us with. Pam Farrel is Truly a Gift from GOD :)Ok ladies here it goes. GOD IS GOOD. I Pray that this Testimony touch many hearts of Women who went and for those who couldn't. In times of Trouble, when your feeling alone, dry or just like not holding on anymore, know that GOD is right there :) This is exactly how I went feeling all of the above, but behold GOD had other Plans as always. And WOW !! talk about being REFULED & REFINED no one but GOD could have filled me in the way that he did. Pam's message, encouragement,& most of all FAITH that she has and shared gave me soooooo much HOPE to Hold onto and to know that we serve a POWERFUL GOD who is soooooo in CONTROL OF ALL THINGS. GOD not only used this time to Refuel me but also to allow me to meet a few new people who I never knew. And one of them was Michelle Turnberry :) Thank you Michelle for the Prayer's & Encouraging Words you shared with me. Ladies GOD knows we will be attacked in many strong way's, especially after a RETREAT therefore we must daily be equipped with our FULL ARMOUR OF GOD to stand strong & know that GREATER IS HE IN ME, THAN he IN THE WORLD. Trust me for many of you who don't know the Strong Attack that came my way it was BIGGER than any so far(and I know many more will come)but what is more awesome than anything is that GOD knows :) so he filled me so much that if I could say I have ever felt close to HEAVEN in my Spiritual Walk it was then :) And because of this Refueling time, I held strong holding on to his PROMISES and learning more so than ever that our GOD IS IN CONTROL....So Women HOLD ON AND DON'T LET GO WE HAVE A "FATHER THAT WILL NEVER LEAVE US ..... AMEN LOVE IN CHRIST your sister Jessica Rubalcaba :) Pieces made Whole By Susan Pedroza Lord I was created as your child Lord, Made by your loving hands in love. But without the Holy Spirit Living in my life, I was not whole. I was many pieces that didn't fit. And when I heard your voice And came to your throne, You gently picked up the pieces And with gentleness and love You put me back together Lord thank you for watching over me, When I was separated from you. Now I know that ir Your healing love that makes me whole. It is your Holy Spirit in me that makes me new. Thank you Father for loving me enough Not to see the pieces I have been, But to see the whole new person you want me to be. So when I look in the mirror of life I don?t see the mixed pieces that I was, I can now see you looking at me Your precious daughter made pure and whole. Susan Misty Taggart at the link below was kind enough to allow us to use one of her poems in our retreat program. The Poem entitled The Woman I See God bless you Misty! Ordinarywoman Contents & Graphics Copyright © WINGS4NB/10/2001 and the graphic artist listed. Our work is not Public Domain, and should NOT be taken from this site. Thank you.