Click here to view a photo slideshow by David Sand from the Family Retreat at Lake Arrowhead, 2006.
I had the privilege and honor to assist at a Peace Theological Seminary (PTS) retreat July 28th — 30th and rediscover the joyful blessings of “family.” Lake Arrowhead was the place to be as 7 families and other loving members of our spiritual family joined in the loving, the laughter and the learnings that manifested in the 2006 MSIA Family Retreat.
On Thursday evening, the assisting team arrived, as did our skilled and loving facilitators, Norm and Susan Frye, with their sons, Johnny and Christian. After dinner and our meeting we went to bed early, knowing a special event was underway.
Beginning on Friday morning, the families came and set up camp to begin a new adventure. The 12 children at the retreat ranged in age from 3 to 11 years old, and eagerly engaged in many activities including fort building, art projects, bug collecting, and hiking.
Parents were able to relax (no cooking, no carpooling, no cleaning!) and enjoy child-free spiritual exercises (s.e.’s). While assistants were busy stewarding the children with making snow cones, playing board games and cards, the moms and dads also had the opportunity to share and support one another as they discussed the experience of being a parent and a spouse — and all that goes with the awesome responsibility of lovingly stewarding a family.
Friday evening was our movie night! We learned from the Muppets how valuable friends are, and the importance of following your heart and your dreams. Saturday, we were blessed with a wonderful respite from the summer heat wave with cool, crisp mountain air and a mystical, swirling fog coming from a light rain. Our culinary experts, headed by Elaine Baran, kept us happy and full with a sumptuous banquet of delicious (and healthy) food, three times a day!
With the cool weather and increased calories, (who could resist?) sweaters were pulled out and a family volleyball game began. When it was completed, a spirited adult game ensued. A round of ice packs for the house!
Inside the comfort of our sanctuary, the participants explored the blessings and challenges of being mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters. The children called in the Light and wrote prayers to God with an innocence and purity that touched us all.
Alisha Hayes led us in several dance and movement sessions so our “outer older bodies and youthful inner child” could keep up with the youngsters. This activity also supported the little ones in working off some of the energy that came with playing with their familiar and newfound friends. I bet you didn’t know that bionic chairs could be turned into taxis, forts, surfboards, tunnels, modern sculptures, etc. Here’s to the kids’ spontaneity and ingenuity!
A big hit with everyone was Susan Frye reading, “The Lonely Wolf,” and the book she wrote and illustrated called “Warm Wings.” The kids and parents enjoyed making all the story-related sound effects during the reading.
On Saturday night we decided to “take the show on the road” with our “Family Fun Expression & Sharing Talents Night.” We enjoyed a range of songs, jokes, and break dancing. An original fairy skit, led by our poet-storyteller extraordinaire, Tamsin Rothschild, utilized the talents of all the children, including Isabella Crenna, Danny Hayes, Christian Frye, and Keon Moore. We were spellbound by our youngest “girl group,” Kate Moore, Sophie Crenna, and Alana Nagy singing “Happy Birthday” as well as “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” together with microphones — pure and priceless. Dylan Jameson, Max and Sasha Taylor, our “boy band”, provided a funny and unique song detailing their Arrowhead adventures. Joshua Hayes made his singing debut and was a true young professional!
The adults eagerly joined in with singing, comedy, guitar playing, and a light-hearted display of “mind reading.” I also had the wonderful opportunity to display the “humorous-human” side of being Mrs. Moses in a stand-up comedy routine.
On Sunday, the participants continued creating the final touches on their family treasure maps as a family. As we acknowledged the Grace and blessings that came forward during the weekend through celebrating God’s gift to us through the unique vehicle of family, we completed our weekend adventure. Everyone attending left refreshed and resourceful as we all drove down the mountain.
It was truly a joy for us to be involved in the giving and receiving of Spirit, particularly as reflected in the beauty of the children and their families as they flourished with each other in another gathering of our spiritual family in the green mountains of Lake Arrowhead. We are so Blessed and we are so Loved.
