The trails at St. Anthony's were spectacular

It takes a while to leave behind all of our responsibilities at home and settle into the retreat. Taking a walk, listening to the birds, noticing the wild flowers, helps us to begin to relax and become more intentionally aware that God is with us.

"I enjoyed the outdoors without having to do something other than enjoy His beauty and the blessing of health to walk and hike. That is rest, relaxation, down time for me. He used me to pray for a woman who has suffered a terrible loss -- not with her specificaly, but on my walk during my waterfalls time."

-- Springs North

"He reminded me that He alone is my perfect comfort when I am not comforted by people. The Springs is a time to become acquainted, or reacquainted, with how to hear God through Scriptures and live the spirutal life God created us to live."  -- Springs North

"For those who have never been to The Springs, it is a place to relax and be alone with God, and take in God's beauty.  During our retreat, He helped me to see what needs to be done in my life as well as He encouraged me."  -- Springs North

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I Know

The Springs has become such an important part of my life. It is a time set apart to focus on the Lord. A time of refreshing. Times of quiet and solitude. Time to "listen." Time to reflect. Time to take a walk and enjoy the beauty of God's creation. Even time to take a nap!

Looking back, I can see how the Lord has used my times at the Springs to give me a deeper understanding of His character. I remember the day I went for a walk (after waking from a wonderful nap!), and I was so aware of the beauty of the flowers and the mountains, the joy of hearing the birds singing. At the same time, there were situations going through my mind that were grieving my heart. As I stopped and looked closely at a flower, or looked up at the spectacular mountains, I sensed the Lord's presence in such a special way, and became so aware of His sovereignty. I sensed in my heart that He was saying over and over "I know...." He knows where I'm at. He knew I would be admiring these flowers on this day. He knows the situations that are burdening my heart. In quiet communion with Him, as each thought came through my mind, I sensed Him saying "I know." What a comfort that brought. What a peace that passes understanding!

I finished my walk, got my Bible and journal, and spent the next few hours looking up all the Scriptures that describe what God knows. Powerful. And life-changing. My all-powerful and loving Father God knows every detail of my life, and is with me and working in every situation!

That experience embodies to me the heart and purpose of the Springs. A time set apart, to be refreshed, to receive from Him, to worship, to "soak" in His Word. I know I left there changed, encouraged and strengthened.

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Chapel at St. Anthony's

Martha writes: "I thought you might enjoy seeing these photos I took inside the Chapel at St. Anthony Retreat Center. I thought the mural was magnificent, especially with all of its symbolism."

"Two weeks have passed already since we were all together at the Springs Retreat! The retreat was all I had hoped for, and more! I would like to express my appreciation to each one of you for the countless hours you spent in planning, preparing and praying for, and then facilitating, the retreat. I learned so much from every one of you. I'm grateful for this time, set apart, that I got to share with you and the other women on the retreat. I was blessed by the experience of being on the retreat and want to thank you all." -- Martha Deal

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St. Anthony's in April

We had a wonderful time at St. Anthony's once again. The wildflowers were in full bloom and I so enjoyed walking the grounds.
I arrived a day early so that I could personally retreat before the other women arrived. What a wonderful time for me to reconnect with the Lord.

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