Hot Days, Lots of Rocks, Pulling Weeds and Mosquitoes!!

Alvin and Michael (son-in-law) built these steps up the one side of the waterfall

Maxine, Alvin, and Maxine's husband Wayne work at putting rock in place

Alvin uses the excavator to place rock, as Wayne directs him

hooking up the liner to the top of the tank for the water

a little dirty ... pressure washing up close got me pretty mud splattered

even Maxine's dog Duke loves to come out to work

Maxine put in endless hours on this hill

grasses were placed, and then later were dug into the ground - waiting for rock to be placed

Hot days have been enjoyed in Manitoba.  We are not complaining even though we have enjoyed out air conditioning a lot!  I figure that we need to continue to cherish these days and remember them as we get closer to fall and winter.  Yes, sorry to say - we are getting closer to that too!


Lots of rocks have been brought onto our property.  We purchased several loads of river rock and were thankful for a good deal per yard from Reimer Soils.  We also got the gift of 3 pallets of quarry rock from Mariash Quarry.   Alvin and I took our flatbed trailer and picked up about 3 tons of it, which he then unloaded manually.  Maxine, along with help from Wayne (her husband) and Alvin (my husband) and myself - placed each one in a particular place.  Nothing has happened without much thought, believe me.  We continue to thank God for the gift He has given us through Maxine and also her husband Wayne.  Maxine's help, hard work, tons of volunteer hours, prayer, and creative design has blessed our ministry.  We can't say thanks enough.

One of the most exciting things that has happened, is that we have out waterfall going!!  It is unbelievable - and I love the sound.  As my grandson noticed, "Granny, one side is faster than the other side."  It was intentional - and we love the sound that it makes as it falls down each side.  It is truly music to our ears.  It was so exciting to see Maxine's creation come to life!!  We are still working on it - you really should come take a look!

coffee break for hard working volunteers

We have picked more weeds than we care to say!!  Huge tall ones - fluffy ones - prickly thistles - so many weeds.  There are many "teachable moments" while pulling weeds.  I totally understand why Jesus used the story about the weeds when illustrating to the people.  We have had some extra help pulling weeds.  Anna-Christina and Olivia have given us a hand - and would be here every day if they could be.  It has been fun getting to know them, and love them!  I have enjoyed the help as I just can not keep up with it myself!!

Mosquitoes have been crazy around here.  Today as we worked - they were fine until the end when we walked through the grass to the back to measure something out.  They were absolutely crazy and truly sent us back, brushing them off as we went.  I guess it makes sense as we were overwhelmed with so much rain on the weekend.

What is new and happening?  Well, we have decided to put a "prayer path" in the back.  The path itself will occupy a space about 40' by 45'.  The most exciting thing that just happened is that our friend Elmer (and our son-in-law's dad) went to speak with the Barkman family - and they have graciously given us all the patio stones needed for this project.  Believe me - this is not a project without prayer and we are so thankful to Barkman Concrete for their generosity.  NOW we can hardly wait to get going!!  I am also very thankful to our friends Elmer and Jeannette who are volunteers here, and great friends - and we appreciate their help in this endeavour (and adventure!!)

Sometimes in the thick of things, the yard is a little overwhelming.  We have more plans than time it seems.  And perhaps more dreams than we have money!!  But it is good to dream.  We also believe that God is in this outdoor sanctuary - and for that we praise Him and dedicate this space and our work, and our vision for it - to HIM.  To God be the GLORY!!

We can always use volunteers - to help weed, to help with projects i.e. paths.  We will find a job for you - just give us a call!!

With that, I am signing off !!
blessings,
Joy

 ** Sorry, I tried to put in a beautiful video of our waterfall here - 

but just could not get it to load 

so if you are on Facebook - go to our page and watch it!! 

OR come and see for yourself!!

Bookings!! Don't be disappointed!!

We have just celebrated our second birthday!!  The most exciting thing is that we are seeing how God is "enlarging our tent" in a few ways - one of them being that He is bringing more women to retreat during the week!

When God spoke the words to me about starting a place where women could go to "just be" ~ I have to tell you that resonated in my heart ALOT.  I had been taking personal spiritual retreats at a local convent for a long time - and I knew the blessing that happened when I took the time out of my full schedule (working full time, being a wife and mom to two kids) to just spend time with God.

I used to book time off work - during the week - and pack up and go.  Sometimes for just a day.
Often for two days and a night in between them.  Once in a while for more than one night!  It was so good - and the silence was interrupted only by the sound of the bells calling the nuns to their prayer times.

When we began planning the ministry, I have to be honest - I did NOT think of weekends as the main booking times!  Not sure why - I guess just because I was only thinking of how I did things.  I was able to get away during the week and it worked best so I could be home on weekends with family.  But God has surprised us by the weekend bookings.  Not just one night stay - but often both nights of the weekend.

This year has been pretty much the same - in that the weekends in the first half of the year booked early.  And in many cases, booked with groups, which means all the rooms were booked.
While this is good for the ministry - this makes it hard for women looking for one room for one night on a weekend.  I always feel bad saying "I am so sorry but we are booked!"

So you know ... we are already booking into the last half of the year.  SO ... if you are looking for weekends ...

BUT as I said weekdays are also booking but there is still a lot more flexibility on booking during the week.  It may be hard to get that time off of work but week days are wonderful!!

We are advertising as part of our local Christian radio station, and we have received inquiries.
We are thankful for this as well - as the word is spreading.  The best advertising has been word and mouth by people who have come here (and continue to come back again, and again).  We are thankful for you return retreaters!!

If you are wanting to book - please email womenrefreshed@gmail.com
I would love to help you find a date.

blessings,
Joy Klassen
Executive Director

Jesus did it!! How much MORE do we need to retreat to be with the Father!!

Joy writes ....

Years and years ago (2000-01) when I heard God say "open a place for women to go to just be" I will admit to you a couple things:
1) hearing God speak was new to me, it took me by surprise and filled me with fear and excitement at the same time.
2) I had no clue what this place should look like, and I researched as best as I could "retreat" centres.  I found some pretty wacky stuff (to put it mildly) and I knew THAT was not what He was calling me to.  (its funny when you know what something IS NOT but still don't know what it IS ..)

I did know what it meant to "just be" and I knew that well.  I had come through a long deep depression, and then I lost my mom in 96 and my dad in 97.  I had taken several retreat days at St. Ben's just outside of Winnipeg.  I knew what I experienced there in the setting.  I knew that was not what God wanted me to do - as it felt more "institutional" (likely because it was an institution). I was and still am very thankful for those spiritual retreat days that I took - sometimes just for the day - and often for a couple nights.

My walk with depression changed me.  It also gave me a window into why it was good, and very necessary to "step out" of the hustle and bustle of life, and retreat.  Or withdraw.  I think this is why I love the Scripture passages where it is recorded that Jesus withdrew to a solitary place.
Check Luke 5:16; Matthew 14:13; Mark 1:35 for starters.

Jesus withdrew.  He "stepped out of the traffic" as Eugene Petersen wrote in The Message, Psalm 46:10 and he went to a quiet, a solitary place ALONE to be with His Father.
Jesus retreated!!

Almost at our 2nd year anniversary with the ministry, it has been very interesting to see which ages are coming to retreat.  My interaction with people my age (mid 50's) has been a mixed bag really - I find that with my age, people don't generally think of retreating anywhere, let alone going away and paying for a room for a night/day.  Now that is a general statement only from my experience with people when talking about the ministry, as well as hosting.  NOW THAT BEING SAID ... I have had some my age AND older.  The oldest was 78.  The day she came she said first thing, "I never thought I would ever be doing something like this" and there she was!  One person told me that they thought it was not a good thing - to give young women the idea that they can forget about their life for a while.  I said, "oh no, that's not it at all.  It is about stepping out, about retreating for a short time, to allow God to renew, refresh and refuel!!"  I am not sure if she bought it.

I have felt God place a very very tender spot in my heart for women my daughters ages - young women - young moms - single women - working women - not sure why exactly, perhaps it was because when I pastored for 7 and a half years, I interacted with younger women a lot, and realized how full their lives were - and how they ran, ran, ran SLEPT and then repeated it again.
I have to say that this is the predominant age that truly "gets" the importance of spiritual retreat, AND it is always a blessing when (if they are married) I have had some husbands calling and booking for their wives.  THAT blesses me - I can only imagine how it blesses their wives, and their marriage.

I think that, like it is for anything new - doing it for the first time is a little scary, a little apprehensive, a little anxious.  My thoughts go back to 2004 when our care group decided to book into St. Ben's for a day retreat.  We went, had a devotional together and then each of us went to our own rooms - everyone split up and went singly to a room.  Going into this day, I remember distinctly 4 people (3 men including my husband, and one woman) who were very very nervous.  What would they do?  What would God do with them and the time?  Would it be weird?   However at the end of the day - we all came to a consensus that the time of withdrawing to a solitary place to be with the LORD was such an amazing day!!  We planned to do it again.  Sad to say, it did not happen again.  But it was in our thoughts.

Think of it.  JESUS - the Son of God - needed to withdraw ALONE to a SOLITARY PLACE to be with His Father.  WHY THEN do we not see the value for ourselves?  Like I used to find, I hear the same comments here "The time went by too quickly - I wish I was staying for another day."

Whether it be an old monastery, or a new place such as ours - I don't think the place is the big thing  - I think the BIG THING is the fact that you are intentionally choosing to step out of the hustle and into a quiet place to LISTEN, to REST, to PRAY, to JOURNAL, and come away RENEWED, REFUELED and REFRESHED.

Jesus needed to do it.
How much MORE do we!!

We are here - give us an email at womenrefreshed@gmail.com or "LIKE" our Facebook Page WOMEN REFRESHED AT THE WELL
or pick up the phone and do it the old fashioned way with a phone call - 204-416-3531.

We are here - check us out - but more than that - make time to retreat!!  You will not regret it!

CHRISTMAS ADVENT WALK-THROUGH

Advent begins the first Sunday in December - what will this Christmas season hold for you.  Often we get caught up in the hustle and bustle and busy-ness of the season, only to flop down on the couch on Christmas Day, amidst ripped wrapping paper and tossed off bows, to realize that somehow you missed JESUS during the walk toward his birthday!

We want to offer you a chance - right at the first advent - to step into our space that we are providing for you to enter into time of reflecting, time of preparation, time of celebrating the birthday of Jesus!

It is our prayer that we will provide the space for you to encounter the CHRIST of Christmas in a way that draws you into love, and celebration!  Join us.

THIS IS FOR MEN and WOMEN BOTH!!  

IT IS A FREE EVENT!

The theme for this year's walk-through is:

"YOU ARE INVITED ...."

What is the Christ of Christmas inviting us to?  

Are we willing to enter in, to accept the invitation?

Come, and beginning in the Sanctuary ~ move through the rooms individually - enter into the invitation that the room represents 

respond as you feel moved to respond

and at the end, join us for some hot cider and cookies.

This is a free event - there are no strings attached. 

Just come, enter in, and be blessed!!

Saturday November 29th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm

Sunday November 30th (FIRST ADVENT) from 3 to 5 pm; and 6:30 to 8:30 pm

Monday, December 1st from 9:00 to 11 am & 1 to 3 pm; and 6:30 to 8:30 pm

MARK IT ON YOUR CALENDAR - and plan to attend one of these times.

(of course depending on how long you stay in each room, will dictate the time spent here - but we would for sure tell you to plan for an hour or two as you don't want to be rushed!!)  NOTE:  if you come at 8:15 we of course we allow for the full time for you - we just would like people to come within those time frames, thanks)

Last year we were blessed by people asking if they could donate towards the ministry 

and we were greatly appreciative and blessed.  This year, if you feel like you want to donate - once again we say thank-you in advance for any and all donation towards the ministry.

We are a non-profit ministry with charitable status.  

Tax receipts would be issued at the end of the year.

Stepping Out of the Traffic

Stepping Out of the Traffic!

I love how Eugene Peterson puts Psalms 46:10 in the Message :

“Step out of the traffic! Take a long,

    loving look at me, your High God,

    above politics, above everything.”

I am not sure about you - but sometimes, I honestly feel like I am caught in the traffic with no where to turn - no where to exit - no where to park!!  To think of stepping out of the traffic brings a sense of relief!!  I don't think I am the only one that feels this way.

Life has a way of speeding up ... sometimes we fill it to capacity PLUS and then we wonder why we are just "busy" running and finding it hard to catch our breath at times!  I have come to hate the word "busy"... I know that hate is a strong word - but in my opinion, the word "busy" has such a negative connotation.  Think of it - how does it make you feel when someone says "oh sorry, can't meet you, I am too busy" .  I think (and yes this is only my opinion) that we can get "busy" doing all kinds of good things.  Helping people - taking care of our family - working at a job we love - doing ministry/church stuff.  Yes ... all good.  However at some point, the "doing" overcomes us, and I for one - feel all done out!
Tired.  Overwhelmed.  Over scheduled.  Exhausted.  

Psalm 46:10 holds a special place in my heart, as it was this verse - these exact words that I heard God speak audibly.  I have only heard God speak loudly once - so loud that my eyes flew open expecting to see Him right there in front of me.  It was loud and clear and He said "be still and know that I am God."  I still get goosebumps thinking about that morning.  As the sun shone into the quiet room, and I sat there with my Bible closed, unable to even pray that morning - and there was the voice - HIS voice - loud and clear.
That is why this verse means so much to me.  God knew that morning, that I needed to hear those words.  

Be Still and Know that I am God
Be Still and Know that I am
Be Still and Know that I
Be Still and Know that
Be Still and Know
Be Still and
Be Still
Be

This verse is a call for us to "step out of the traffic" and put our life into park ..
not forward
not reverse
but stop and rest
cease striving
just soak up the presence of our most High God 
Step out of the traffic and into His presence
Into his arms
Put your head against His chest and hear His heartbeat for you!

I love to imagine sitting on his lap - just like my kids used to come and sit on my lap.
Just soaking in my love 
And feeling my arms around them.
I think that is how my Lord wants me to sit with Him.

I do this often.  I have come to see that I am someone who loves the quiet - the peace - the "being" part.  I guess this is why way back in 2000 He told me to "open up a place where women can go to just be".  I understood the "being" part.

So - my question for you is this - are you able to "step out of the traffic"  are you able to "be still" and know that HE IS GOD and He delights in you.  Yes - YOU.
We all have a unique walk with the Lord - I am sure no two of us are the same.
I hope that if you are so busy running - that you will make the time to just be still.
Maybe at home ...
     maybe while you are out for a walk
             maybe you are looking for a space to retreat to - 
away from the hustle and bustle of life?  

If so ... give us a call.  We have some space here - for you to "be still" in.
Call 204-416-3531 or email womenrefreshed@gmail.com to book your retreat!

Those are just my thoughts!  
Blessings,
Joy

A few things on the horizon ... MARK THOSE CALENDARS!!

OPEN HOUSE at the WELL :

If you are wondering about the place - what it looks like - what happens here - and every other question you have about our ministry - then this open house is for YOU!!
There is NO COST.  You just need to come.

We will open the doors on Wednesday October the 29th, 2014 between the following time slots:
10:30 to noon
1:30 to 3:00
and 7:30 to 9:00

If you want to come - just stop in during one of those time slots!  Joy's husband Alvin will join her in the evening slot - if there are men who also want to come but think it is only for women ... then come during this time!!

The coffee pot will be on!  You are invited.
More info - call 204-416-3531 or email womenrefreshed@gmail.com

Christmas is still a long way away - but I have already been thinking about what to do for our 2nd Annual Christmas Walk Through.   I need to commit it to prayer, but I already have a sense of where God is leading me with this!  It is exciting to dream, imagine and plan.  

Last year was our first Christmas Walk Through and we were pleased with those who came - a chance to step out of the hustle for an hour or two - and mediate on the reason we celebrate - JESUS.

If you already want to book this into your calendar - these are the times we will offer the Christmas Walk-Through.  This event is FREE!!

Saturday November 29th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Sunday November 30th (FIRST ADVENT) from 3 to 5 pm; and 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Monday, December 1st from 9:00 to 11 am & 1 to 3 pm; and 6:30 to 8:30 pm

MAKING SPACE: Developing your Intimate Relationship with God

Women and MEN invited  (yes men too!!)

WHAT:    MAKING SPACE:  Developing your Intimate Relationship with God

WHEN:  Friday, September 12th

TIME:  9 am till 3 pm

WHERE:  Women Refreshed at the Well

5839 Henderson Hwy

Narol, MB

**this is a beautiful 15 minute drive NORTH on Henderson, 

13 kms from Henderson & North Perimeter

COST:  $35 including book (Your Ears Will Hear) and a light lunch

$20 if you already have the book

(Payable by CHEQUE or CASH only, thanks)

Details for the day:    This is a day retreat for men and women, to slow down and pay attention to how God is speaking to you and working in your life. You will have time to listen alone and together with others. You’ll receive tools to assist you in the journey of embracing a lifestyle of listening to God. You’ll hear stories of how others are hearing God’s voice.

To register, or for more information - please email Joy -     womenrefreshed@gmail.com   

or call 204-416-3531

 Steve Klassen, Director of the Mark Centre in Abbotsford, BC is facilitating this event!
This event is a partnership with The MARK Centre www.markcentre.org

and Women refreshed at the Well!!  We are thankful to be able to do this together!!