An Exit Survey for a Women's Retreat One of the best suggestions given to me when I planned my first retreat was to remember to gather feedback from the ladies with an exit survey. What a wonderful idea! I wouldn't have ever thought of that on my own! With our exit survey, we were easily able to determine what went well and where we needed to make some changes. For the first … [Read more...]
The Way He Moves Me | Loving Christ
How does knowing Christ move and motivate you? Here's how He moves me: I think about the way He moves me each moment of my day. Who am I in Him? How can I live His love through my actions? No fear of failure holds me back in living the life I love because He loves me. Ephesians 6:7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people… A few years ago, I sat in a … [Read more...]
How to Find Your Passion (When You’re Not Sure You Have One)
Have You Ever Struggled to Find Your Passion? Ephesians 3:19 (CEV) I want you to know all about Christ’s love, although it is too wonderful to be measured. Then your lives will be filled with all that God is. This article was first published in November 2012. I've updated and republished it as it's been such a popular post. I know many of us search for our passion and struggle to find … [Read more...]
Outdoor Activity Ideas for Summertime Christian Women’s Retreats
Outdoor Activity Ideas for Summertime Christian Women's Retreats With summer here, it can be difficult to find outdoor activities for your women’s retreats. While it’s certainly okay to spend a one day retreat inside in the air conditioning, it’s still good to get the ladies up and moving. Being outside and if possible, in nature, helps us filter out daily distractions and connect … [Read more...]
Only the Next Step | Feeling Overwhelmed
Only the Next Step - Looking for God's Direction when Feeling Overwhelmed Lost in thought, feeling overwhelmed with the uncertainty of where I’m supposed to go next. Not physically. Not a place. Instead, in what direction do I head spiritually? I feel Him calling me, but I’m not sure what He’s saying. Where do I go? What’s the big picture? What am I supposed to accomplish? I lay … [Read more...]
Live Your Passion | Love Your Life
Live Your Passion and Love Your Life! If you've been reading my blog for any time at all, you know that I write frequently about passion and learning to live what you love. I spent so much of my life going through the motions of living. After a major crisis of faith, I finally came to understand who I am in Christ which helped me to shed my fears and pursue a life I'm passionate … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes | Perfect for Large Groups
Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes | Perfect for Large Groups If you decide to offer meals at your next retreat or group gathering, these slow cooker baked potatoes will be a huge hit. We love to serve them as a side and often have them close to our salad bar. The ladies can top them with all kinds of salad bar goodies plus we add a few more condiments on the side for them. These … [Read more...]
7 Tips for Your Intentional Relationship with Christ
Your Intentional Relationship with Christ It's the end of the day. How do you feel? Exhausted? Overwhelmed? 'UP TO HERE!' (imagine my hand held high above my head). Note: I originally wrote this post for the blog in 2014. I've recently updated it and am re-sharing with you as a reminder to take time for your intentional relationship with Jesus Christ. When my day is done, sometimes exhaustion … [Read more...]
The Day I Discovered Christ in Me!
Christ in Me! Who knew?! Surviving a debilitating grief didn’t come easily. Opening my mind and learning truly what life is about was the only way I could even begin to move forward. Let me tell you a little about me. I am Julie. From the outside, I have lived a perfectly normal, happy, regular kind of life. I’m a wife, mom of three, grandma of one, teacher, sister, daughter, … [Read more...]
5 Frugal Meals from One Shredded Chicken Recipe | Loving Christ
These 5 frugal meals out of one simple shredded chicken recipe are perfect for large group gathers or as frugal family meals! When we hold women's retreats, we try to do most of the cooking ourselves. Well, actually, we don't do it OURSELVES. We have one of our ladies be head cook. With help from my husband and daughter, she prepares all the meals for our weekend retreats. She does this … [Read more...]