Weekend Retreats

"I want to thank the ladies who made this possible for me to come and share my story of losing my husband.  I felt God was here with all of us ladies.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart! We only felt love and kindness here with these sweet ladies.  Amazing retreat--beautiful and peaceful!"

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"I stepped out of my comfort zone signing up and coming by myself to this retreat. But, oh my, was it worth it!  Everything was done with excellence--the greetings, the accommodations, the sessions, the staff, the volunteers, and just all of this weekend. The firepit ceremony was so wonderful. God’s spirit was so real everywhere.  I’m thankful to have met some sweet and precious ladies.  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” Phil. 4:13, my husband’s favorite scripture.  

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“What an amazing retreat and group of women.  I was so nervous leading up to this weekend, coming upon the second year anniversary of (my husband’s) passing and it being my first widows’ event. Everyone here (attendees and those putting it on) have been so gracious and uplifting. The openness, rawness, and genuine caring is so inspiring. To have an outlet for my fears, worries, triumphs, success, and everything in between and to be surrounded by women who completely “get it” has been amazing!  Thank you for all that each of you did this weekend. I will be praying for each of you and this retreat. I will forever be grateful to have spent this weekend here and for all the new friendships! Much love to all of you!”

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“This weekend I had the opportunity to be part of an amazing retreat at a beautiful refuge with a group of sweet women who understood the devastating pain of losing a spouse.  What a blessing to speak freely of my lost love and tell our precious stories.  The facilitators were genuine ladies who demonstrated such passion for their mission. The accommodations were comfortable and peaceful. The food was wonderful. I am blessed to have been a part of this shelter for these past days. The closing ceremony was reflective and therapeutic. Thank you for this beautiful gift.”"This has been one of the best experiences I have ever had. Never felt so much love and kindness.  Everyone here is so amazing. We had lots of fun and lots of laughs, but God was Number 1." 

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"I arrived a bit anxious and a little nervous as to what to expect this weekend, as I am somewhat stepping out of my comfort zone. Yet, I realize I need to take care of myself after spending months putting the needs of (others) ahead of my own grief and mourning. The moment I got out the car and the welcome I received assured me that this was going to be a wonderful weekend.  Not only are the accommodations amazing, the overwhelming sense of PEACE here is AMAZING. I look forward to sharing with the others who will be here this weekend and seeing where this experience takes me. "

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"The whole three day program is very well organized, completely Christian based with prayer, delicious food, and all welcoming hearts. "

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"Each individual is well loved, cared for, and given special treatment. 

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"This was an enjoyable, emotional weekend sharing grief with other widows. I thank God for the wonderful ladies that run this event. I treasure the friends I have made."

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"This retreat allowed me to be comfortable and feel free to express some of my deepest thoughts and feelings. Everyone here, volunteers and other guests, were very friendly and helpful. Great, great Christian environment!! Just can’t express how beneficial it was for me."
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"I am so very thankful to be able to come to this beautiful place and meet with people that have the same grief. Thanks so much for allowing When We Becomes Me to attend this glorious place. Bless all that stay here."

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"I came here with no expectations. I left with the hope that the days ahead might be just a little brighter. That people with very similar situations have put one foot in front of the other and have healed enough that they can now offer supportive encouragement to others who are just beginning this journey. Thank you for offering such a beautiful place where it feels okay to be vulnerable, it’s okay to cry, and it’s okay to hope for a better tomorrow."

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"This retreat was an incredible blessing. The stories of the other women here were powerful reminders that God has not abandoned us and that he will never leave us or forsake us. If you are on the fence about attending the retreat, do it! You will not regret meeting these precious ladies and the wonderful bonds you will form with other ladies! 

p.s. The food is spectacular, as is the view!"

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"I would recommend coming to the widow’s retreat to every widow. The love that I felt here is real! God is here in these ladies. I have been blessed by the ladies I have met here and, hopefully, have made lasting friendships. Thank you, When We Becomes Me."

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"Thank you so much for allowing me to come to this retreat. I feel as if I’m a stronger person and I know I’m not alone. It also strengthened my relationship with God."

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"How can I put into words the special ladies that I met this weekend? I didn’t realize that this was such a wonderful ministry also. I will never forget this weekend. It has brought me to the next level of my future. When I came I was hiding behind a false smile. When I left, my smile became real. Yes, I still have pain, but now I know I’m not in this alone and to share is OK. You can’t be strong all the time. God wants us to be open and let others in to help bear the burden. Gal. 6:2"

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"The most inspiring weekend in years. For the first time in almost six years, I finally got to face my true feelings about losing the love of my life and not have to apologize for it, knowing I’m not alone in my journey."

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"Just being surrounded by wonderful women that were having the same emotions and had actually walked in my shoes was very healing. Before coming to this retreat, my life was like a tornado had come through and destroyed my most precious part of life. Last night it was dark, but I actually felt the warmth and saw some sunshine come through for the first time since [death of husband mid 2017]. Thank you for this healing time! May God continue to bless When We Becomes Me!"

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"Empowered me to work harder and gave me comfort and so much support. Loved every minute of the time I spent."

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"You are all angels from Heaven! True Godly women!  I am beyond blessed and grateful for the opportunity I was given to attend this fall retreat. This weekend was life changing! I feel justified. I feel worthy. I know who I am. I know God has a purpose for me and I feel called to do his work by telling my story, a very different story of delayed grieving, to women who helped me realize there is HOPE and peace in knowing we will be reunited with our loved ones one sweet day. Thank you to everyone that was a huge part in me accepting my past, knowing that grief is different for everyone and that I am normal. I am enough. And I have closure!"

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“I’ve enjoyed meeting all the wonderful ladies, hearing their stories, some have similarities, some completely different, but each story and each lady so unique.  This retreat is beautiful. The messages offered so healing and helpful. Just being with others who have some sort of understanding and making new friends in such a wonderful, relaxing place made for a beautiful life memory. I pray God richly bless and sustain all involved.”

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“Thank you! This weekend has been a true gift and blessing from God.

I can breathe.

I can cry...any time.

I can laugh.

I can encourage and be encouraged.

I can love and be loved.

I can live through Jesus by the grace of God.

I made lasting friendships to continue this journey, so I don’t feel alone.”

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“It has been a wonderful chance to breathe, reflect and be encouraged and inspired. My heart is full. The food, fellowship and new friendships--priceless! Love to all who made this possible.”

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"What a beautiful weekend attending When We Becomes Me! The retreat center was spectacular. The meals were scrumptious! I can not express the amount of gratitude I have for the beautiful ladies that made the weekend so special. You will forever be in my heart and in my prayers as you continue this much needed ministry. "

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"I have known these ladies for 24 hours now and I love each one of them, feeling such an overpowering connection for this special bond we have because of life’s circumstances.  It has been a relief to cry and laugh with these women and to gain the understanding that my fears and insecurities and worries are not only experienced by me, but by other widows as well. I can’t imagine not knowing these women! I’m glad I listened to a friend’s recommendation and attended WWBM. Tonight, I have such peace that I am going to be okay."

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"The rooms are special (very spacious). One person to a room, you have individual time to reflect on your own thoughts and concerns.  This place lacks nothing to be comfortable."

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"I will definitely recommend this beautiful and blissful retreat to a grieving lady who will love it like I did."

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"I am deeply sorry that you are eligible for this group. However, I am so glad you are here! God moves. When things are hidden and come out into the light, He can heal.  We try to be “strong” and, in turn, we limit God to heal and use us. It is hard to show others your vulnerable side. Through this process, however, it does bring healing. As difficult as it may be, it is worth it: You will leave stronger, because you were able to open up and share feelings that possibly you haven't told anyone.This is a safe place. God hears you and He will delivery you. May the peace that passes all understanding [comfort] you."

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I believe this weekend retreat may have helped me move on a little quicker.  I enjoyed meeting new people who have experienced similar experiences."

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"For me this was needed 17 years ago (when I lost my first husband) as much as it was needed with the loss of my second husband. I would like to award each woman, no matter her age, a 'Badge of Courage.'"

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"This precious group of women allowed me to tell my story, cry my heart out over and over. The group did understand and felt each other’s loss, pain, and emptiness. Thank you for caring. Caring for widows is more than helping them just the week of the death. It is feeling the loss."

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"I loved this weekend! The place is beautiful and the ladies I met were wonderful. We just all have a special bond. I made some new friends that I hope I can stay connected with. We ate very well and had a great time. It was very emotional, but I think we all needed it. Thank you so much for including me."

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"Being among other Christian women who are walking the same journey has lifted a weight from me. It has really reminded me that God is always by our side and is watching over us even in our worst times. I feel so much peace upon leaving this retreat. I feel like I have met so many wonderful new friends who can walk this journey together."

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"The weekend retreat was helpful to me, so I could process some of the feelings, fears, and guilt I’ve had. I feel like the women I’ve met are part of my family now. The most beneficial part was being around others and hearing their stories and helping celebrate our husbands’ lives and being allowed to cry with no fear of being judged or told how to handle my grief 'the right way.'"

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"I highly recommend this retreat for anyone suffering a loss of their loved one. My weekend at When We Becomes Me was very uplifting and helpful with my long journey towards healing. The part that helped me the most was meeting women who have been through the same thing as I have and hearing how they cope with it. I also loved how we wrote down our troubles and worries and threw them in the fire. Everything was beautiful and filled with love."

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"When I was told of this organization, I was so excited about coming. My excitement turned to fear the evening of the day to arrive at the resort. I was met with open arms by [staff]. This was the ice breaker. When listening to the first lady tell her story, I knew God had a plan for me. This was a fun but extremely intense, emotional and loving time."

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"Thank you for all of the kindness and love shown towards me and the amazing time of healing."

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“It has been an amazing weekend in so many ways. I came, feeling insecure, and resenting (just a little bit) that I qualify for the “When We Becomes Me” retreat. The love has been so warm and genuine, the food amazing, and accommodations just wonderful! I pray God blesses each of the staff and all those that made this weekend happen. So, I leave here with a renewed desire to grieve well and allow Jesus to shine through my life--wherever He takes me and whatever that looks like.  God has answered so many prayers in my life and continues to answer. Psalm 104.33, “I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have any being.”  Continued prayers for this ministry!”

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“Sharing my story and hearing others’ stories was so beneficial to me! Our stories are so vastly different, yet our grief is so similar. The knowledge and understanding that there are other fabulous Christian women walking my journey is so uplifting. I also loved the discussion topics that we share in common. Leadership team rocks! This retreat was perfect.” 

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"Thank you to my new sisters in Christ for sharing your stories. I love all of you and will pray for you daily. "

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"The food was awesome! "

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"When We Becomes Me Weekend Retreat--What a blessing! What a beautiful, restful, healing time for myself and the other sweet widows! You ladies made my heart glad this weekend. You are all so precious! So loving! The personal stories, the devotional times, happy times and several tears!  Thank you, thank you!"

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"Stepped out of my comfort zone to come to this retreat.  I have never done anything like this before by myself.  Always had to have someone with me, needed that security and something familiar."

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"The ladies that are here helping us to heal are a Godsend. So loving and understanding, as they have and are still dealing and healing from their own grief."

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"Replies to the question, “What was the most beneficial part of this weekend retreat that you feel will help in your grief healing?”

• Being around others in the same grief and being able to encourage others through their journey brings me peace.
• The friendships I have made that have the same bond as I do. It will be very helpful having someone I can contact in the same boat.
• Meeting and connecting with women that understand. Being able to share my story with like-minded people. It was a wonderful weekend.
• The most beneficial part of this weekend was the fellowship with all the wonderful people here. Being and praying with people who know and have been through a similar experience is so beneficial.
• Knowing I am not alone, being able to share without judgement, connecting with others of all ages.
• Friendship and sharing, helping people.
• The fellowship and sharing, knowing you are not alone.
• Fellowship with all the wonderful people here--being and praying with people who know and have been through a similar experience is so beneficial."

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"This has been an experienced filled with hope. Thank you so much for this opportunity to tell my story and listen to others. This is truly a wonderful place. I pray that our lives will be full of joy and peace and will honor the loved ones we have lost. I will always cherish the memories of my life with my husband. Thank you for helping me deal with my loss. God blesses us in many ways."

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"The most beneficial part of the weekend was the sharing time with other women going through this, knowing I was not judged by the amount of tears I shed. I did not have to hold back or try to put on a brave face to cover up the turmoil going on inside me—to forgive those who do not understand my grief."

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"Every detail was truly well planned with tenderness and love. The food, facilities, activities, sharing, and compassion were 'over the top.'"

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"Finding the When We Becomes Me retreat was a Godsend to me. I was able to meet other widows that are experiencing the same pain. Together we told our stories, cried, prayed, and hugged. We even laughed a little. Beautiful new friendships were made with these caring ladies. They are truly some of the most caring, wonderful people I have ever met...I am forever grateful."

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"The facility is peaceful, the “program” was comforting and helpful. The meals were excellent. All of the ladies were very caring and sincere listeners (to all stories of each woman)."

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"It has only been a little over four months since my husband died, and I was in the midst of beautiful, sweet women who had lost husbands for different lengths of time. To hear them helped me understand what I will face."

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"I didn’t really know I was harboring fears until we [discussed them] and this being a normal process of grieving. I was able to really rid myself of the fears that I was harboring."

"God is good all the time! What a blessing this “When We Becomes Me” retreat has been to me. I have felt so loved and cared for by each lady God brought together this weekend.  Grief is a hard journey, but God provides in amazing ways. The leaders of the retreat have loved, pampered, and taught me so much.  I feel like I am on a path of renewed hope for my future. Each story shared by my fellow widows filled me with compassion and love for others.  It is actually refreshing to know others understand my grief and I am not alone. I have made sweet memories I will hold dear. I am a child of God and to Him be all the glory.  I pray God continues to bless this ministry.  I pray for the ladies who come after me to be richly blessed. Relax, enjoy, laugh, smile, cry!  We love and serve an amazing God who will carry you through your struggles. He is good! Thank you to all who made this retreat possible!"

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