LDS women spend a lot of time thinking about the quality of our lives and working to improve ourselves. Often, we question ourselves and wonder if we are being the best we can be – or dealing with our challenges in the healthiest possible way. Sometimes we feel alone and separate when we long to connect and share our lives and experiences. And we love to find new and creative ways to approach the day-to-day happenings and circumstances in which we find ourselves. We like to talk and think and be together.
Sixteen Stones recognizes these healthy longings and exists to foster growth and allow a shift in perspectives that will spur new ideas, build and strengthen relationships, and encourage focus and direction. We do this through our seminar retreats.
We know that sometimes in order to think best and gain needed perspective, women need a little time away from the regular routine of their lives. When this can occur in a lovely place, so much the better. Many women gather strength and courage when united with others of like minds. We enjoy gaining knowledge that can be applied to our challenges and refocusing with new vision on the landscape of our lives and experiences.
At Sixteen Stones we gather in manageable small groups to allow discussion and connection. As mental health professionals, we see that often what brings women to therapy is not pathology, but rather a hunger for new learning or perspective to enable progress and growth in their lives. So we work to create a non-pathologizing atmosphere where we can learn from listening to and sharing with each other – and also have individual time to be creative in the application of new awareness to our particular circumstances. We use words…but we also get beyond words into the core of the heart as we work with sand trays to gain understanding of the particular pathways of our own experiences.
We share food and laughter. We provide time to relax and time to think. There are moments of connection and moments of quiet. Sixteen Stones exists to provide safety and peacefulness, new ideas, and support for individual growth. It is indeed a day-long spa for the mind and heart…in an atmosphere conducive to the workings of the Spirit.
Comments from past participants talk less about the mechanics of the day than the engendered feelings:
“As I reflect on today, it felt like the whole day was a prayer. Where two or three are gathered in Christ’s name, He promises to join them. The Lord recognizes that we are seeking Him, and He joined us today.”
And:
“Coming together with everyone here was the “casserole” I needed. There are no words. I have received some answers today that I have been seeking for a long time. This has been a revelatory experience. It has been about going back to the roots, roots that bring in the Living Water.”
Most women leave our events reporting increased feelings of peace and direction, new perspectives and renewed focus. And a desire to return.
Our day-long retreats in Alpine, Utah involve very small groupings – no more than 10 to 12 people – and last a full day. We are bringing a new half-day retreat for a bit larger group to Arizona beginning in October. We believe we can provide much of the same benefit of the full day retreat to a larger group of women in a more condensed time frame and perhaps a more accessible location.
Our Arizona retreats will be held at the Superstition Springs Golf Resort, just off Highway 60 at Superstition Springs Boulevard in Mesa. Our desire is always to provide as much lovely natural scenery as possible to foster feelings of retreat and serenity.
The Arizona retreats will last from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and the charge of $75 includes lunch.
To register for a seminar/retreat in either Alpine or Arizona, please visit us at www.sixteenstones.net. Space is limited for all retreats, so register early.
Come join us for a new experience…and some interesting possibilities. We look forward to meeting you.
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