v.
1. The act or process of withdrawing, especially from something hazardous, formidable or unpleasant (i.e. twins and the phone).
2. The process of going backward or receding from a position or condition gained (i.e. maid and taxi driver).
n.
1. A place affording peace, quiet and security (i.e. Silver King Hotel).
2. A period of seclusion, retirement, or solitude.
3. A period of group withdrawal for prayer, meditation, or study (i.e. Relief Society retreat)
Used in a sentence:
These last few weekends I was able to retreat to two different retreats, both in the majestic mountains. One destination included shopping and the other, snow, both included great friends.
Yep, sometimes you just have to get away from it all!
My friends Shawna and Belinda were so nice to invite me to go with them on their latest get-away weekend. We started with a session at the Salt Lake temple, lunch at the Garden Room, then on to Park City for a stay at the Silver King hotel. We shopped the outlets for hours (retail therapy), ate yummy food (not including the green smoothies and rice milk), and discussed life until way after the sun went down. We were even able to watch the first session of General Conference in the peace and quiet of our hotel room. It's amazing how much more you can glean from conference when the kids aren't around!
....... and this last weekend, our Relief Society enrichment committee planned a very nice retreat for all the sisters at Mutual Dell Lodge up American Fork Canyon. We had a delicious dinner, a speaker, crafts (Kathy helped me design some fabulous notebooks for everyone to make), games, treats, and girl bonding time. In the morning the High Priests served us a delicious breakfast and we enjoyed zip-lining through a flurry of snow (a little cold but still fun)! It was so peaceful up in the mountains as the first snow of winter fell.
Aah, to get away and relax, clear my mind, enjoy nature and conversation with adults...... Both retreats really recharged my batteries and gave me fresh energy for life at home. Mostly I just loved being with great people. It's splendid to have women around me who are such good friends, women who are like me in so many ways, yet totally different too. From each of them I learn new and important lessons to make my life better. I love connecting with these women and being a part of their lives as they are a part of mine. Thanks girls!
Belinda and Shawna: I'm still astounded by your shopping stamina! I thought I was a die-hard shopper, but you two take the cake!
To Mike, Mom, and Michelle: Thank you so much for watching the kids. My appreciation is deep! Please let me return the favor!
10 comments:
Wow, you are so lucky to be in such a great ward that plans such fun/amazing activities! Mississippi is like a 3rd world country in that department (and others too, of course). Seriously, I'm totally missing my Utah ward and all the wonderfully organized things it entails. Consider yourself a very lucky gal!
Jill - it was so inspiring to be with you - both weekends!!! You're AMAZING! Thanks for the late night talks, the great therapy, laughs, shopping advice, yummy food, and most of all your wonderful example!!! It was better than "prozac" (among other things:)!!!
Let's do it again soon:^)
Shawna
Wow. I need one of those. Just when I would dare leave Eli...here comes number two. What was I thinking? Oh, I wasn't. Both retreats sound like they were heavenly. You deserve it.
I will forever remember the fun we had in Park City. Fashion takes on a whole new dimension for me now; horehound patterns:), being structured, being cute and sassy in my old age ( with cute red shoes), not wearing horizontal stripes to look wider, etc. etc. I feel like I got a personalized college course in fashion & design all for the price of being able to spend time with two of the greatest people I know. Aside from the fact that I brought home some cute things, spending 2 sleepless nights & 2 1/2 wonderful days talking, laughing, bonding, & being spiritually uplifted it was unforgetable.
Thank you also so much for providing the sisters with those wonderful little gratitude/spiritual impressions journal. It was so nice to be able to turn something over to someone and have them do 110%. Thank you for being that kind of person. Zip lining was fun in the snow huh? Retreats are definitely food for the soul. I highly recommend them. Sure love ya Jill
You are welcome. Thanks for sharing your twins and their excitement and energy for life with me. I am definitely going to try those tomatoes this week. I can already tell I'm going to lose a lot of time to your blog. I loved it! Michelle
Lucky! It all sounds so fabulous. I think we should plan one for the Dickey gals sometime.
Okay, you can return the favor. You are in charge of Jeff until you get him married to some nice girl.
Looks like you all had so much fun!You all are such hard working mothers who definitely deserved a break!
what great outings!
i miss utah's majesty (and hanging out with you!)
Jill, I read this last week and had to laugh at our very different ideas of 'retreat.' But I'm sure it was a blast - you make everything fun (even that wretched Canasta).
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