An Advent Invitation
Do you feel it during the Advent season? The greater weight of others’ expectations? Am I doing all the things to let my loved ones know my care for them at Christmas? While at the same time keeping up with the daily demands of life? As I hustle to do all the things, I’m also […]
Why ‘Invited’? And a Retreat Check-in
Today we are excited to share with you why God led us to the theme “Invited” for this year’s Velvet Ashes Retreat. We’re also thrilled to hear from three women in our community who are sharing their own Retreat experiences. We believe and have experienced in our own lives that the concept of invitations from […]
Awake, O My Soul
“Awake, awake!” I heard it first in the playlist I randomly chose as background music called “Awake, My Soul.” And there it was again in the worship lyrics of the very first song sung at the Velvet Ashes retreat. Hm, that’s interesting, Lord, I thought. Are you highlighting that phrase specifically for me? I jotted […]
Do You Know What I’m Longing For?
Do you know what I’m longing for? Today as we officially begin our annual Online Retreat here across our global Velvet Ashes community, I am picturing a scene that fills me with longing. I see us at a table. There’s about twelve of us there, small enough that every person is seen and heard. Somehow […]
Hear From Women in the Community as they Get Ready to Retreat
We love knowing that there are women retreating all over the world—getting away to a hotel or the quiet of their backyard, sharing in sweet conversation with friends or teammates in a living room or on Zoom. The options are endless and it is beautiful! Today we get to hear from three ladies in our […]
It’s Retreat Week, Ladies! (Here’s our lineup)
It’s Retreat week, ladies! Our global Velvet Ashes Online Retreat is happening this weekend! Show of hands, how many of you are mentally, emotionally, and spiritually so ready to retreat? The thought of time and space for the Lord to tend to your soul is exactly what you are longing for. Another show of hands, […]
You Are Invited. Early Bird Registration Ends Soon!
Here are snippets from conversations I’ve had with different women over the last few weeks: “I’m sad. This is a season of loss, and I’m just so sad.” “I’m in Hawaii enjoying and feeling a bit guilty for this all-expense paid trip!” “I’m praying about whether to leave my team and ministry overseas and return […]
Invitation to Share: Hear from Women in the Community about their Retreat Experience
We can tell you how amazing Velvet Ashes retreats are, but don’t just take our word for it! Today you get to hear from three women in the Velvet Ashes community—a single and two mommas with kiddos, living in different parts of the world—who have been encouraged by their retreat experiences. Check out their stories […]
Everything You Need to Know About Our 2021 Online Retreat
Today is the day, ladies! Velvet Ashes’ early bird registration for our 2021 Online Retreat is officially open! If you are one of the many retreat devotees around here, you’ll be running, not walking, over to the registration page to grab your low early bird price. Because doesn’t it feel like ages ago that we […]
How to Actually Be a Mary Instead of a Martha
“MOM!” the three-year old yells from the toilet where she is waiting for me to wipe her bum. “MOM!” calls the 12 year-old from the dining room table. She needs to know why her Zoom call for algebra won’t connect. The pile of work looms behind me as I glance at the clock and then […]
Hope as My Identity
I had already realized that I wasn’t handling our current transition well. After years of transitions, I’ve discovered that I haven’t properly processed any of them, so I wanted to participate in the Velvet Ashes retreat and make time to hear from God. We finished last year with the organization we were serving with in […]
Let’s Celebrate!
Each year we here at Velvet Ashes count down to retreat weekend as if we were kids at Christmas…and this is Christmas morning. It’s finally time to rip off the wrapping and share the excitement with your friends all over the world! The elephant in the room is that this retreat will be the one […]