It is Well- Retreat Highlights
/“When peace like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well, with my soul”
Hosting a getaway during a pandemic is both an opportunity to encourage and inspire others during this challenging time. It also poses other concerns as hosts like me and venues alike juggle government guidelines of physical distancing and other protocols. As the month’s progress, we lean in to serve and build connections where able. Launching my first “glamping retreat “ given all these roadblocks was made easier by hosting it at the serene Camp Wolf Willow last month. Being outdoors in the Land of the Living Skies here along the picturesque Saskatchewan river was a perfect way to pull away into nature for a time of reflection and inspiration.
It is Well
The theme for the retreat was “It is Well’: a Glamping Retreat for Women” The name was chosen primarily for 2 reasons:
1) with the world casting anxiety all around, the old hymn “It is well” came to mind. Although I had known that song for most of my life, the words are more meaningful the older I get. ( I did a bit of research this fall and learned about the history behind that song penned in 1873, click here to learn more.)
2) the scripture verse of the 'woman at the well’ as found in the Bible in the pages of John 4 (which is also the inspiration of the Well whom I collaborated with for this event).
We kept the numbers to a minimum as the glamping teepees or tents were set up for one woman to camp solo or two to share a tent together who were in each other’s ‘bubbles’.
Bubbles- Sigh.
Who could have predicted this last year that we’d even need to live our lives aware of our personal bubbles and its effect on others? Like no other time in my life thus far have I experienced anything like this. The entire world has been affected by this pandemic in some way. The last time I wrote about that was back in March when our nation was first engaging in strict guidelines with my blogpost “Covid19 Spreads Quickly, So Shall Prayer.'“ Kinda corny of a title, but that was where my heart was.
On retreats such as this, prayer surrounds it all. The preparation, the leading, and follow up because of the precious humans in my care. Ultimately, my desire as I host/ speak and facilitate is that whatever people are carrying, they can find peace, hope, joy for their soul. There isn’t enough time in a day for any one person to hear every hope, dream, sorrow, or fear, but it is my hope and prayer that each person turns to their Creator, the lover of their soul. The women were gifted gold or silver bangle bracelets from Motte Jewelry with the words “Worthy” or ‘Resilient’” engraved on them among other surprises in their welcome bag:) temporal gifts that point to eternal truths.
Soul Care
2020 has brought more awareness to the need for soul care. That too is a good thing. This blogpost is not just sharing ‘highlights’ of the fun time we had at the retreat, it is also an opportunity for you too to be inspired by the lyrics to the song and photography. I encourage you to listen to the lyrics of “It is Well” as you scroll through the photo highlights as I feature two versions within this blog post by Audrey Assad and Kirstine DiMarco:
The retreat photos taken primarily taken from Tammy Zdunich Photography (along with a few of my own candids).
Gather
I am so grateful for the women who pulled away into nature with me for a time of personal reflection and inspiration. I love to gather. It’s just in me. Be it family, friends, or events of many kinds. Big events seem to be, for now, a thing of the past. For those who’ve followed my journey of faith these last 20+ years, I used to lead conferences with hundreds, thousands of women, and believe you me, I absolutely love the passion and energy that transpires with gatherings of the masses. YET, there is something special about small gatherings. They are just more intimate as you’re able to get up close and personal PLUS give space for solitude. We need that- connecting with God, ourselves, creation, and others. Retreats are a great opportunity to foster “peace like a river.” As frustrating as 2020 has been for so many people, it is important for soul care. Practicing meditation, prayer, gratitude, slowing down, and enjoying the blessing in the dailies. One good thing that is coming out of the pandemic is that more people are appreciating the simple beauty in creation. We don’t always have to dream of sandy white beaches across the ocean to retreat. We can find beauty within our own backyard.
Below is Kirstine DiMarco’s 2013 version inspired by the 1873 hymm.
“And through it all, through it all, My eyes are on You. And it is well with me…. So let go -my soul and trust in Him. The waves and wind still know His name. So let go- my soul and trust in Him, the waves and wind still…”
True, we can’t always say that everything is well or 'peachy keen’ in all areas of our lives 100% of the time. We will inevitably face storms, trials, and challenges, and sometimes there will be utter tragedies. YET with faith in a loving God and putting our hope and trust in His supernatural help, we can say with conviction, “It is well, it is well with my soul.”
