Last weekend Alan and I packed our suitcases and drove up to Asheville, North Carolina. We left the kids in the capable hands of my parents, and we enjoyed a peaceful weekend in the mountains. Oh, and by the way, all we had to pay for was the gas to get us there.

Not too long ago, Alan learned of the Cove, a retreat center owned and operated by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. They host retreats, Bible studies, training events, prayer events, and even Senior Hymn Sings.

But the coolest thing for us is that they host these marriage retreats for military couples–FOR FREE.

Free is good. We like free.

There are 3 different ones this year, but why waste time, we went ahead and signed up for the February retreat.

I had no idea what to expect, really. I was a little nervous, as I am in all new social situations. We didn’t go with a group or anything, so we were on our own.

standard double room (photo credit: thecove.org)

Upon arrival, we checked into our room. The Cove has two hotels on site. We stayed at the Pilgrim’s Inn. The room was immaculate. It had two queen size beds, a table with 2 chairs, a rocking chair in the corner, a luggage stand, a dresser, 1 sink in the room and a bathroom with another sink.

I expressed my joy over there being two sinks. Alan said, “Well, the key here is not to destroy marriage [by making us share a sink]. Haa!!!!

On the third floor, the inn has 24 hour drink machines, complete with coffee, tea, and sodas! We did take advantage of that!

Right away, we spotted this sign.

We got our stuff put away and headed up the hill to the convention center. Now, when I say up the hill, believe me I really mean up what felt more like a mountain. I’m surprised my legs aren’t more sore. This hike was not for the faint of knees.

The first thing we noticed on our hike was a “Beware of bears” sign.

Huh.

But as it turns out, black bears are known to be docile, not aggressive like the grizzlies.

This hiking path was so steep! I finally earned my 50 flights of stairs in a day badge on my Fitbit, thanks to this hill!!!

After we checked in at the convention center and read over our itinerary, I admit I actually got a little uneasy.

Wait a minute. This itinerary here says “1-6pm Alone Time with God”….

I whispered to Alan, “Do you think they expect us to spend the WHOLE time with God, or is going to see the Biltmore Estate okay too?”

And suddenly it dawned on me.

“Alan!!!! Was there a t.v. in our room?”

We’ve been kidnapped. Gasp! What if there is no Wi-fi either?? What if we are supposed to have prayer and meditation and togetherness, sing cum-ba-ya, and hike up mountains all afternoon???? Will we survive???

Alan chuckled. Don’t worry. I had not said all of those things out loud.

“Yeah, you put your suitcase on the dresser. So I’m pretty sure there was no t.v.”

We both looked at each other with the wide eyes and giggled. This should be interesting…..or challenging…..hmmm

(photo courtesy of my friend Kasey Myers) No, unfortunately, they didn’t go at the same time as us. They went a different year, but how exciting is it that this is available every year!?

Soon after our no-t.v. discussion, it was time for dinner. Ya’ll!!  The food! If you don’t love the speaker, though I think you will, the food will win you.

(photo credit: Kasey Myers) They must have been at the very front of the line.

We made awkward conversation with other couples that we met, and then it was time for the first marriage seminar.

These seminars were more than seminars. It was like giant group marriage therapy, where thankfully we didn’t have to do any talking. We did; however, get to sing together. We sang at the beginning of each session, mostly songs that we knew or had heard before. The singing was one of my favorite parts. The song leader was an expressive and talented guy with both piano and guitar skills.

The speaker was a pastor and retired Army chaplain,Pastor John Cook, from Fayetteville, North Carolina. He was not only interesting. He actually knew where we were all coming from, having lived the military life himself. He taught what the Bible has to say about marriage, and I managed to totally pay attention to all 3 sessions, believe it or not.

They change up the speakers at each retreat, but I’m sure they’re all good.

By the way, the convention center has cappuccino and frozen yogurt on tap, available during the day time. That came in handy during the on-your-own stretch of Saturday.

This is us on the Convention Center deck. It was a huge wrap-around porch full of rocking chairs, and I failed as a blogger because I did not get a photo! Okay, yes, I did, but Alan blinked in it, so I will spare him that.

You may be wondering if I ever did make it to the Biltmore Estate. Well, no, I didn’t. Alan looked it up, and it wasn’t a good time for us to devote the hefty admission prices for as little time as we would have gotten to spend there.

They had fireplaces gong everywhere, including a beautiful, large circular one outside. We sat in front of this one for 30 minutes and found it extremely comforting.

We were able to enjoy simply resting, relaxing, hiking, and talking at the Cove. We even did a little shopping at the on-site book and souvenir shop. We never did miss the t.v.

Some people arrange to go with couple friends, which I imagine would be a blast. (photo credit: Kasey Myers)

Here are a few fast facts for ya:

–I did not see any other marriage retreats on the schedule besides the military ones. 🙁 Sorry, my civilian friends. However, there are tons of events that last all weekend that you could sign up for.

—Next Military Marriage Retreat is May 26-28, 2017. Experiencing God’s Best for Your Marriage. Speaker: Chip Ingram 

Literally EVERYTHING is FREE. Free meals. Free room. Free seminar. Click here to sign up. It’s open only to active duty military. Yes, Reserves and National Guard counts, so long as your active.

–There’s another Military Marriage Retreat September 8-10, 2017. The Art of Living Well in Marriage. Speaker: Tommy Nelson

Again, it’s all free for active duty military. Click here to sign up.

(photo credit: thecove.org)

Other Events at the Cove do have costs. Just click on the links below. Many of these are also weekend-long retreats. Some are just evenings or luncheons. Just click through for details.

Women’s Events

Senior Adult Events

Seminars for everyone

Pastor Retreats (for pastors)

We would like to personally thank the Graham family and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for using their facilities and talent to serve those who serve our country. This is a blessing to so many families!

Pouring into your marriage relationship is so vital to the overall happiness of your whole family. Kids grow up, but hopefully when they have left, you still have a spouse you can love and grow old with. It’s such an important relationship to nurture. Happier parents = happier kids.

Our thanks again to the Cove!!! This was like a breath of fresh air!

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This weekend I have ridden a horse, eaten delicious food cooked by other people, and listened to an inspiring speaker, Denise Cunningham. I have grown closer to God and closer to other ladies from my church.

Guess what! Our speaker this weekend has a blog too! I’ll give you a link at the bottom of this post. First, you have to read mine.  😉

This retreat was at Wolf Mountain, near Sacramento, California.

I want to share a few lessons I have received from my time on Wolf Mountain.

Alan and me…..not at Wolf Mountain. That’s Yosemite. Alan was at home being Super Dad this weekend.

#1 My very first ministry is actually my husband. When I married him, I promised many things. One day, the boys will all grow up and move away. They will promise their hearts to younger, prettier women. But Alan will still be there.

I can’t wait to get home and focus on being a better wife!!

#2. Do TELL others what God has done for you, and don’t try to take credit for that. Look what God has done in my life! God has guided and protected me through ALL of my years. He provided a way for me to go to college for FREE. He led me to Alan. God kept Alan safe through several tours in combat zones. God has given me these four adorable boys. HE has answered so many prayers and allowed us to live all over the country and see so many beautiful places and meet inspiring people.

I stand in awe of what God has done for us.

Now is the time of life for ME to give thanks and praise to God. What a life that I am living! I have everything. There is no good thing that I do not have.

Yes, I have a bad back. Yes, I have children to train and plenty of work to do. Yes, I have another cross-country move looming in my near future.

But I have a relationship with God in heaven who will carry me through all of these duties.

8Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”

2 Corinthians 12:9

I’m not going to pretend like I have something to do with God’s blessings in my life. To God be the glory!

I cannot take credit. GOD gave me all of this.

We hiked to this cross at the top of the mountain this morning. It was an exhilarating start to the day!

Look for a post soon about the answered prayers we have seen just in the past week! God does not promise us a life without problems. He promises that we will never walk alone. He is always there.

#3. Don’t let the devil steal your joy. Never believe things will not change. Never believe that you aren’t good enough to belong to God. Never believe the lies! “I will just always be like____.” “I just can’t win.” “I’m not as good as they are.” And so on and so forth! Those are lies. Do not buy it.

#4. Be thankful!!

“Oh give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endures forever.” Psalm 107:1

a few friends climbing the steep mountain

What did I like about retreat? Rest, fun, God’s word, and fellowship! Did I mention I also got to ride horses? Wow, can we go to retreat again next week???

I am so thankful for my life and the people in it. “To God be the glory. Great things he has done, so loved he the world that He gave us his son.”

view from the top

And here’s a great new blog for you to check out/read/follow. Someone asked me this weekend what it means to follow a blog. It just means to subscribe via email or social media. Blog subscriptions are free. Just type your email address in, and you’re done. That way you never miss a post. My “subscribe via email” option is in my sidebar.

Denise is a darling and inspiring speaker. She is a woman who knows the Lord well, and she has a kind and loving heart that comes through when she teaches. Plus, she’s downright adorable. Here’s her blog, where she writes about a wide variety of topics. I was most struck by her object lessons and her beautiful home decorating skills: www.refreshher.com

Have you ever gone on a retreat? What did you learn?

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