A day in the life...

Monday, January 28, 2008

Winter Retreat

This weekend, I went with 53 other people from the 20's and 30's group from Bethany, lovingly known as PCEC (Post college, early career) we drove about an hour and a half out of the city to Yelm, WA. for our winter retreat. We stayed at a really beautiful camp, and enjoyed times of fellowship, worship meditation and lots of fun.

The theme of the retreat was 'Encountering God' and as a part of our sessions we did some practical things to meet with God, this included meditation, lectio devina and reflection. We would meet in small groups after each session and talk about how each experience was. We discussed which ways we 'met' with God were easiest for us and which were harder. We also shared some of the things, scriptures, convictions that we felt God put of our hearts during the quiet times. These small groups times were really special, and I really enjoyed the group I was in. None of us knew one another before the weekend so it was a great opportunity to make some new friends too.

The camp surroundings were beautiful. Set amongst huge evergreen trees and close to the mountains. We walked from our cabins to the dining hall, and next to the dining room was the lake. The weather here is freezing and the whole lake was frozen. Early Sunday morning I walked down to the lake with some new friends and we were in awe at how beautiful it was. The lake surrounded by the tall trees, and a heavy white mist hung over the frozen grey water. As branches fell, or birds dropped things onto the ice, spooky echoes bounced across the lake. When we realised what was happening we began throwing stones on to the frozen lake and making these spooky noises ourselves!! The wonders of nature.

We were staying in an old railway, the station building was the meeting hall, and we stayed in the train carriages attached to the steam engine that sits on tracks at the old station. The rooms were really nice, and again it was a great chance to get to know another set of new people. We all got to know each other at our potential worst too because we had late nights, and early mornings, central lighting and one shower. Everyone in my carriage was very gracious to one another and we enjoyed our experience as roommates!

I also was part of many a lively game of catchphrase and a 2-hour game of Signs - my personal favourite game of the moment.

Here are some pics of us at the camp, the train cabins, the mountains in the distance and a fun one of me playing damsel in distress on the tracks...It was a great weekend, and I am thankful for the opportunity to get out of the city for this time of refreshing and connection.






2 Comments:

Blogger Clayre Turner said...

what a cool and beautiful place!

12:49 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Sounds just beautiful and so peaceful - apart from the fun games which sound pretty lively! Enjoy your new friends
Love, Mum xx

1:58 PM  

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