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Toothbrush? Check.
Comfy pants? Check.
Chocolate? Check.
I’m all packed for The Great Getaway, ladies. How about you?
Can’t wait to see you, God willing, Friday evening! Safe travels and Godspeed.
The Great Getaway
The Great Getaway 2014
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Do you crave fellowship with other women who understand what it’s like to be childless or to lose a child? Do you have ethical questions about infertility medicine you’d like to ask a pro-life doctor? Would you enjoy eating decadent, gluten-free desserts prepared by a loving pastor’s wife who just wants to spoil you rotten? Do you need a retreat in a beautiful house near a scenic park in historic St. Louis?
Then, you might want to join us this summer for The Great Getaway 2014 on Friday, August 22nd through Sunday, August 24th.
Who: Any woman who suffers from barrenness, secondary infertility, or is grieving a recent miscarriage
What: The Great Getaway retreat agenda
When: Friday, August 22nd through Sunday, August 24th
Where: St. Louis, MO
Why: To get away for a bit and relax in the company of your sisters in Christ
Interested in attending? Register online today and hightail it to St. Louis by 6:00 p.m. on Friday, August 22nd. We’ll take care of the rest.
If you would like to attend the retreat but have trouble meeting the financial requirements, we HRTB hosts have penned a letter that can be sent to your family and/or friends asking for their sponsorship of your retreat attendance. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need any help.
Save the Date
Chocolate? Check.
Salty snacks? Check.
Gluten-free desserts? Check.
An assortment of teas and coffee? Check.
Comfy sofas and lovely gardens? Check.
Now, all we need are attendees.
Ladies, please mark your calendars for August 22nd – 24th, because The Great Getaway 2014 in St. Louis has been scheduled.
Registration details are coming soon.
Pastor Talk
Speaking of The Great Getaway last summer, we were also blessed to have a pastor talk with us about what God’s Word has to say about suffering. I found these particular truths to be helpful:
On losing our children…
“This is the problem God had. His children were lost, and He gave His Son to get them back. He gets us.”
On why we suffer…
“We suffer and have crosses so that God’s work can be made manifest.”
“This is the nature of the Christian life: that out of death comes life.”
The doctor’s in…
We were blessed to have an OB-Gyn speak with us at The Great Getaway last summer. Here is a collection of some of the wise tidbits he shared with us:
On infertility…
“Fertility is one of those areas in life where God has us where He wants us. We have to lay it down. We have to give it to God. Who ultimately is in control? It’s not me [the doctor]; it’s not you and your husband; God is the one in control.”
“Infertility is a cross. It’s the cross God has given us. We are to bear our crosses.”
“We can’t even claim to understand why this is happening. This is a wound only God can heal.”
“No matter what happens, your Father loves you. Your Father has your best in mind.”
“Our culture says, ‘I have a right to have my 2.2 children when I want them. Children are things.’ We do not have a right to have children…Children are a precious gift from God.”
“If we had something that worked 100% of the time, then we would lose the awe and wonder of creation.”
On IVF…
“Infertility is not a disease. It is a symptom of a problem. IVF circumvents that problem. Let’s figure out the problem rather than circumvent the problem.”
“Who in the world do we think we are in saying that someone is a Grade D embryo?”
“For every baby that is born through IVF, between 20 to 30 are lost.”
The cost? “$15,000-$18,000 per cycle”
On why life begins at conception…
“Genetically, that embryo is not the mom; that embryo is not the dad. That’s a new person.”
On whether or not the pill ever acts as an abortifacient…
“If it happens once, isn’t that too many?”
Newsletters
I received a Christmas picture-card from a Great Getaway friend with the following inscription:
“These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
God gives us just what we need at exactly the time we need it. Life is full of ups and downs and we thank you for being in our lives. Wishing you and your family a blessed and happy new year.
Isn’t that lovely? No bragging, no complaining, no commiserating. Just the blessed, simple, gracious truth.
Thank you, Jill. I need to take Christmas newsletter-writing lessons from you.
Retreat Reflections
What happens when a bunch of barren (infertile? fruitless? we tried brainstorming a less archaic term for childlessness, but nothing fit so well as the Biblical word in the end) women get together for a weekend getaway in St. Louis?
Well, of course, some things will forever be top secret, but here’s what I can tell you:
Much Rolland hospitality was enjoyed.
Many gluten-and-dairy-free desserts prepared by Gina and her beautiful family were consumed.
Unseasonable spring weather was soaked up.
Colorful skeins of yarn were knitted.
Multiple medical questions were answered by Dr. Gosser.
Several hymns and spiritual songs were sung with Pastor Cholak.
Thoughtful gifts were exchanged. Frequent, girly laughter was heard. Honest tears were shed. Memories were made, and hours of sleep were lost.
And, last but not least, our designated night out on the town happened to be the same evening as the naked-bike-ride-thingy to raise awareness for something bearing worldly importance. So, yep, some free range breasts were witnessed by the churchy eyes of our dear retreaters.
In all seriousness, Rebecca and I have never witnessed such a group of patient, loving women who listened to each other with all forbearance and bore with each other so selflessly. It was a beautiful thing to behold.
After sharing so much with each other, it was difficult walking away after church on Sunday. We all lingered and then lingered some more. The goodbyes were not the hyperemotional departures of youthful summer campers, but the looks, hugs, and quiet words exchanged were meaningful. How do you say goodbye to ones who have gone to the trenches with you?
All I could think to say was, “Thank you.”
Happy trails to you, dear sisters, and Christ keep you.
Get Ready to GETAWAY!
The Great Getaway is approaching fast, and registration for on-sight attendees is now filled and closed. However, we do have room left for commuting attendees.
Do you crave fellowship with other women who understand what it’s like to be childless or to lose a child? Do you have ethical questions about infertility medicine you’d like to ask a pro-life doctor? Would you enjoy eating decadent desserts prepared by a loving pastor and his wife who just want to spoil you rotten? Do you need a retreat in a beautiful house near a scenic park in historic St. Louis?
Then, you might want to join us this summer for the The Great Getaway on Friday, July 26th through Sunday, July 28th. Retreat details and registration information can be found here.
The Great Getaway – IT’S A GO!
It’s official. The Great Getaway has been slotted for the last weekend in July.
(contented sigh)
Who: Any woman who suffers from barrenness, secondary infertility, or is grieving a recent miscarriage *
What: The Great Getaway retreat agenda
When: Friday, July 26th through Sunday, July 28th
Where: St. Louis, MO
Why: To getaway for a bit and relax in the company of your sisters in Christ
Interested in attending? Register online today and hightail it to St. Louis by 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 26th. We’ll take care of the rest.
If you would like to attend the retreat but have trouble meeting the financial requirements, we HRTB hosts have penned a letter that can be sent to your family and/or friends asking for their sponsorship of your retreat attendance. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need any help.
* Space is limited for this retreat. Women who have already contacted us expressing an interest in “The Great Getaway” get first dibs. After that, it is first come, first serve.
The Great Getaway
Okay.
I know that many of you won’t come out for presentations on barrenness that are open to the public, because you don’t want other people to see you cry.
But what if those other people were just like you? What if you could get away for a few days and retreat to a safe place with other barren women* for a time of rest, refreshment, and fellowship in Christ?
We are thinking about hosting a retreat called “The Great Getaway” for you, but, before we do, we want to make sure you actually want to come. Are you interested? If so, send us a quick message through the Submit a Question page and let us know your name, email address, location, and whether or not you would be able to travel somewhere in the Midwest.
It’s time to come out of hiding, don’t you think?
* Maybe you suffer from barrenness or secondary infertility. Maybe you are struggling through the grief of a recent miscarriage. Maybe you are wrestling with the legal paperwork of an adoption or silently waiting for your foster child to bond with your family. Maybe you have lost your husband and wonder if you will ever have the chance to be a mother. If any of these situations apply to you (and you are a woman), then you are invited.
He Remembers the Barren 