Replenish Women’s Retreat – the gift of time away
Getting to the end of three terms of school (or just mid-way though a year…) can feel like a long haul – especially in our family, as we learn at home together, which means we are at home together a lot! Don’t get me wrong: it’s wonderful, but it’s as wonderful knowing I have a weekend set aside just for me.
Balancing the tight rope of living and giving in community and allowing time for space and solitude can be difficult, especially for me and other women, wives, mothers I know. Whether you work full time or are at home, whether you have children or not, I have found it’s so important to take time away from the usual, the ordinary and the day-to day of life.
Replenish is just for me. I don’t have to do anything (except book!). I simply come. I do as little or as much as I like. The simple needs of meals (which are generously provided and that I didn’t have to think about, prepare and cook – and clean up!) and my bed (rooms with ensuites) are accommodated beautifully in the new Ocean Outlook building at Luther Heights.
In past years, God has provided incredible weather too, in which I have found myself basking on the green grass in the sunshine on the top of the hill for hours on end. I’ve seen whales, incredible bird life and the blue of the ocean touching the vastness of the sky is effortless to watch.
Somehow in this gift of time apart where there are no demands on my time, no requirements to ‘do’ – simply come and ‘be’, I find my body, soul and spirit has the time to take a breather. The slow and quiet takes rest a little deeper. And while leaving such a special place is always difficult, I know I will come away replenished to continue life once I return home.
Come, experience Replenish for yourself!
Registration close September 10.
Rachel Schilling is a mother of 4 and experiences all parts of life together with her family on the Sunshine Coast, QLD. She is passionate about leading children and families to grow deep in their faith and is blessed to do this as part of the Grow Ministries team. This will be her fifth Replenish weekend away. Rachel is pictured here with her husband Peter.
