I can't say enough how excited I am about this retreat.   Our guest speaker will be leading us on the topic of journeying from brokeness to wholeness.  Looking a the the topics of trauma and resilience through the lense of Naomi. We will draw wisdom and insight from the book of Ruth.  It's going to be amazing!!!  

I don't know what it is...but I have such a strong conviction that GOD IS GOING TO TOUCH US ALL SO POWERFULLY through this weekend.  But it requires a little bit of homework...just a little, but you will take back a great deal more if you are prepared. The homework is to bring three items that represent a part of your life, which I will explain below.

1.  The first night is about influential women is our lives.  We ask that you bring a photo of a women that has deeply influenced your life (mother, mentor, public figure, celebrity...)  This is related to the theme of Trauma & Resilience because usually if this particular woman has influenced you, you have looked to her in your most difficult moments.  

2.  Saturday Morning Session, we will talk about trauma, so  we ask that you bring something that symbolizes trauma in your life.  (Some examples: It could be a broken piece of pottery that represent a broken heart, a dead plant that represents a broken dream, a belonging of a loved one you lost, etc.) 

3.  Saturday Afternoon Session, we will talk about resilience, so yes, bring an object that symbolizes resilience in your life. (i.e. a cactus, a rock, or it can be something like  picture of your favorite childhood memory that has kept you strong...etc.)  Symbols are subjective to each individual so something that symbolized trauma might actually symbolize resilience to another person...there is no wrong answer.

I want to encourage you to trust in this process.  There is no power in these actual objects, but there is something in our brains that when we make a physical exchange, it actually processes a mental exchange of giving up the trauma and receiving resilience better than if we were to do just do it in our thoughts.  

I don't want to give away all the good things that are prepared for you.  You will just have to experience it!  But we are working, preparing, and praying for you!!!!!

GUEST SPEAKER  Sue Park-Hur is a 1.5 generation Korean American Angeleno who co-directs ReconciliAsian, a peace center that promotes unity, understanding and reconciliation in immigrant churches and communities. She also co-pastors at Mountain View Mennonite Church with her husband, Hyun Hur, in Upland, California. Sue earned a Master of Arts degree in Spiritual Formation from Wheaton College and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Asian American Studies from University of California, Los Angeles. She has three understanding and flexible children who humbly remind her that peace begins in the home.