I was skeptical about the benefits of spending a weekend with 22 strangers to talk about a very sensitive and emotional subject. However, as the weekend progressed I felt very safe in discussing openly my feelings about losing Nathan. This weekend far exceeded my expectations! It helped me take a huge step forward in dealing with the loss of my son. Thank you for your wisdom regarding how to live after confronting the most difficult issue of my life.
—Butch

The closer the retreat came the more anxious we got.  We hated the thought of having to share our daughter's death and all the pain associated with it with a bunch of strangers. We are so glad that we did not surrender to our fears and doubts and were able to receive a tremendous blessing.  It was so comforting to share with others who identify with the grief of the loss of your precious child.  David and Nancy planned a wonderful weekend involving great food, new friends, prayer and worship. It was an experience that brought healing to our broken hearts, and pointed us to our only hope—Christ.
—French

I learned to laugh again, really laugh, in the midst of people who have gone through great sorrow.  I didn't mean I had forgotten John, it just meant it was okay to laugh and cry in the same place, and that everyone understood. 

Bill and I were able to focus on one another and just spend time together eating and laughing and crying in a place set apart from the everyday cares around us.  We haven't been able to do that in nearly a year and it began a part of the healing process between us that we so desperately needed. 
—Kelly

Being able to spend one entire weekend focused on the loss of our precious son as well as on the losses of others was a powerful step in healing for both me and Tim.  We entered the retreat broken.  We left the retreat truly "hearing Jesus speak into our sorrow."  We are forever thankful for the new friendships and insights gained during our Respite Retreat weekend. 
—Tammy

My husband had needed just a little “nudging” to attend, but he was so glad he did.  He even suggested that we should all get together every year or two for a reunion or something!!  (Believe me – that’s a miracle!!)  Although it was very difficult to hear everyone’s story – and also to share our story of Erica – our time together was a refreshing time of hearing from God. It was well worth taking a weekend away from home to share with other couples and to rest in God's arms.  It's a weekend we'll never forget. We also made some wonderful new friends.
—Dianna

As hard as it was at times, we are so glad we came. The opportunity to meet and talk with other couples was very powerful and we feel like we've made some lifelong friends from the weekend. I think the smiles on everyone's face in the picture we took before we said goodbye says it all.
—Ken

I remember telling French when we got to Chattanooga that maybe we should just skip it and go spend some time in North Carolina. I am so glad we didn't give in to our fears.  I didn't realize how comforting it would be to walk through the deep waters of grief with other believers who identify with our pain.
—Lauren

The retreat drew my husband and I together as we share our grief. We were able to work through an issue we had that hadn't yet been discussed. It was so healing to be with others who completely understood the pain that we have been suffering, and to be able to talk about our son in a safe and caring place.
—Judy