how I started to plan a singles' retreat

I can not forget the moment at the very end of the 2007 Spring ESR (European Singles' Retreat), when Karen - who was kind of the head of the current organizing team - challenged us (the attendants) because she wanted to transfer that special business to somebody else.

Karen and her team had wonderfully planned and organized the retreat twice after Allison and Amy had done their great job for three times and then either got married (Allison) or went back to the U.S. (Amy).
We still miss you!

After Karens request moments of silence passed (for me it was like eternity) - and I noticed everybody's eyes (like mine!) trying to look any other way except toward Karen - when I suddenly heard MY VOICE speak up and say something like: "Oh, if Frances would help me, I could try." (Actually I am really not somebody who wants to "usurp crown & reign" and it was such a weird situation for me that I ask your forgiveness that I can't remember the exact words I said that moment.)

Frances agreed and so Karen swiftly came over and - with a great relief as it seemed to me - thrusted "the box" into my hands.

"The box" containes all the important stuff you need to organize a retreat: the cash box, pens, crayons and pencils, paper, glue and whatever you can think of. Not to forget the blue folder, full of helpful advices, addresses, former retreat-schedules etc (THANKS A LOT to whoever put that stuff together...!).

Now I (or better we) had "the box" and the business...
But I don't want to extend a yet long story by telling you in details how I struggled with organizing the 2007 Fall ESR. I met with Fran several times to check out what we could do and how we could set up a great retreat which leaves a wish to each single one to come back next time again. Not to forget the prime reason: To set up a scenery that draws one nearer to the Lord.

Fran had a lot of great ideas but we could not realize all of it.
One thing that at least I wanted to realize at all costs was to have Allison and Grady again with us at the retreat. I had met them at the very first ESR I attended in April 2005. I can tell you there are very few moments in my life that I meet somebody I really want to befriend. But it happened when I met Allison and Grady that weekend back in April 2005.

And how cool was it when Allison told me later that the exact same weekend was also something special to her, because it was the first time she started "to see more in Grady"... And finally they got married! What a joy!

And when I found they were about to move (back) to the U.S. I wanted to have them for a last time at the place where all the stories started...

But how can you get a married couple to be at a singles retreat?!?
Well, ask the husband to be a speaker!

The retreat finally worked out great (Grady, supported by Bill Wilson, did a great job as a speaker) and I am still glad that everything went for us "planning-newcomers" well so far.


But nevertheless I left the retreat with a long, long list in my head filled with things that I could have done much better. But Fran (who again was so kind to not leave me alone with that stuff) and I still had a second chance to go for the 2008 Spring ESR and I actually started praying for that one right on the way home after this one was over.


But the 2008 Spring ESR planning is the story for the next post ;-)