As we approach the dates of the Survivor's Retreat (April 9-11), many of us are becoming more excited! I am urging you to register, because so far I've received quite a few "I plan to come"s, but only a few actual registrations. Remember, we in Oklahoma are willing to plan for van pick-ups from the airport to help you get to the site, but that means we need plenty of time to coordinate the driving schedules, and it just won't be possible if it's all last-minute. Wait too much longer, and you'll find that the only flights left are odd hours, and we won't be able to help with transporting you! So register and book flights ASAP, so that all of you will get the BEST arrival choices and we'll be able to arrange to pick you up as a group. Otherwise, we can't promise to be able to do this and you'll be on your own!

The retreat is going to be amazing, at least as much as last year's. We have Bill, of course, fresh from winning his THIRD Grammy. (When else do you ever have the chance to spend an entire weekend in the company of a Grammy-winning composer, performer, artist, and survivor?). We'll also have new art activities, the healing prayer lodge (sweatlodge), and plenty of time for social enjoyment of one another's company. You can't beat the price of $200-$275 for all of this; I know of only one other survivor's retreat (which consulted with me on the planning), and it was hundreds of dollars MORE than this...and this retreat includes all food and private room lodging!

Our State Coalition is partnering with me for this year's retreat, so please contact me if you would like to attend but need scholarship assistance with the registration expense. I will have a limited amount of funds to help with those who want to attend...I can't compensate for your travel costs--you'd have to cover that--but I could help you with the retreat registration costs.

Tonya and I are working like mad to plan, plan, plan--this is a LOT of work, and we are excited and eager to hear other suggestions for things you'd like to see included. We have one fantastic idea for a creative arts project that we hope people will commit to,but we're saving that surprise for later.

Those of you who plan to attend, please remember to prepare yourselves for the experience. Prepare mentally and spiritually, meditate and contemplate what this will mean to you and how you will use the time, so that you arrive completely open to a deep healing experience. This is a profound and special event, and should not be approach lackadaisically; if you "center" yourself and prepare your mind, body and spirit for the experience, this will be a life-changing weekend (last year, the 20-25 women who attended had trouble even putting into words the sheer power of the retreat to bring healing, peace, and hope. I want to succeed at this again, and perhaps even achieve more). This is NOT a "therapy weekend" or a "trauma camp," and we do NOT sit in circles and hash out painful feelings and memories, or "open you up" in front of strangers--this retreat is a healing weekend, which is a break FROM trauma, not an immersion in it. We do NOT make participants discuss, or even disclose, their past experiences; you would be there simply to enjoy a community of safe, happy survivors, eat good food, enjoy AMAZING music and teachings from our guest, and experience a powerful healing/cleansing ceremony.

To learn more, visit my website (click at the link on this page, upper right (I wonder how many people have even noticed that a link to www.resurrectionafterrape.org has been there this whole time?) and go to the "spiritual retreat" page of the site. If you browse back several pages in this group, too, you will find topics that describe the musical guest for the retreat (Bill Miller), with mp3's of his music for your enjoyment.

Also, several women have been very eager to come, but want to talk to me or my wife (Tonya) first, for their own comfort. That is very okay, and if you'd like to speak with me privately about your questions or fears, I would do anything I could to help that happen.