Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Retreat Reflections.....

I am finally settling back in after a really special weekend retreat at the Dream Givers Inn in Oregon. Follow the link and take a peek at this place nestled in the hills of Oregon wine country. Owners Linda Kessler and Kristen Hardy have combined their gifts and talents and fulfilled a dream and passion of theirs to offer a Bed and Breakfast where you can feel pampered and truly experience deep soul rest. If you are ever in the area and want to find a perfect getaway I'd highly recommend this amazing place. The morning breakfast fare is delicious and presented ever so beautifully! You can also follow their journey on the Dream Givers Inn blog!

I was honored to present an afternoon of sharing my story and therapeutic collage with the ladies. I never tire of watching art transform our own stories and journeys into a visual narrative. There are always such unexpected moments of understanding and release that happen as the collages are quietly reflected on. There is such power in an image to speak for us the words we might not have been able to form. As always I came away with a renewed sense of hope and anticipation of how God might choose to use this work. My dear friends, author Meg Wilson and recording artist Kate White, shared their unique gifts of speaking and music to open our hearts to a message about deepening our relationship with God by seeking an intentional balance in heart, mind, body and spirit. The food was lovingly prepared and served by dear friend Judy (chef extraordinaire and miracle worker with Costco fare LOL!). Ellen eAkens, a massage therapist from "The Healing Room" also shared her gifted hands for an incredibly relaxing experience of massage with hot stones and cool marble. The weekend left me with a hunger to offer my heart to God in a deeper and more truthful way, live with greater intention and courage and to quietly pursue the next steps that are revealed. After such soul-filled experiences it seems it takes awhile to process all that took place. I am sure the pages of my art journal will slowly reveal what my heart needs to remember.



Please be sure to take a peek at the Art Blessing Giveaway in my previous post and join in the drawing!

5 comments:

My Journey to Hope said...

You are a busy lady! I really wish I could attend something like this, so if you're ever in TX, let me know! The combination of art, music, friendships and intimate time with God is something I'd love to pursue lifelong. I'm glad it filled you back up & hopefully we'll get to see even more amazing art come from the experience.

-Michelle

MaygreenFairies said...

Oh Lani, what a beautiful, beautiful post! Your description of the weekend transported me there right with you all (I wish I could have been!). Thank you for sharing your retreat with us. Hugs, Mandy x

Sherry said...

Beautiful surroundings, with beautiful souls to create beautiful art. Soul work -- so important to our well being and how enriching to spend time with like minded people to explore this. I'm wishing I could have been there.

Anonymous said...

I'm wishing I was there. It looks like you had a great time.

Lila said...

Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us. Maybe someday you will be in the Houston TX area and I will get to experience firsthand the wonder that you are. Hugs, Lila