Family Retreat (December 5-7)

The weather was perfect for a parade!! But I'm getting ahead of myself.  We try to make the December R&R or Retreat a family affair.  Part of the reason is the lighted parade in Fredericksburg is fun and beautiful and main street after dark looks like a Dickens Village.  Last year it was literally freezing.  Not so this year.  It was cool but almost no wind so it was great being outside.  Zion Lutheran Church hosted the families  on Friday night with a delicious meal prior to the parade.  In addition, they set up chairs on the street so the families would have a birds eye view of the parade.

Lisa telling Christmas Story

Saturday morning the couples met with Chaplain Ginsburg for some counseling.  While parents were "in class" the children were taken to the Fredericksburg United Methodist Church (FUMC) where Lisa Davis told them the story of Christ's birth.

Donna demonstrating making a tree

Then Donna Lafferty and Louise Murphy, local artists, taught the children how to paint with water color and make Christmas cards for their parents. After completing the cards, Joel Griffin, FUMC Youth Director, and some of the youth served snacks and led games that ran off some of that kid energy.

Goofy Photo

Families were reunited for lunch at West End Pizza and a free afternoon to explore the town, ice skate, nap, etc.




Saturday evening everyone gathered at the First Baptist Church for "Italian Night" dinner and Sunshine the Clown.  Kids young & old loved her.  The way she involves the children in her magic tricks is great!! Prior to dinner the children presented their works of art to their parents.  It was a nice surprise for mom and dad.

Sunshine's Arrival

Admiring Their Child's Art Work

Admiring Their Childrens Art Work 

The success of this retreat and all of the events organized by the Wounded Warriors at Nebo is dependent on the generosity of the Fredericksburg community.  It takes many volunteers and donations to bring everything together. Many Thank You's go to the following food providers, kitchen help, volunteers, merchants who discounted rates, other donors.  
Zion Lutheran Church                              Fredericksburg United Methodist Church
First Baptist Church                                 Donna Lafferty
Louise Murphy                                         Joel Griffin
Will Cooke                                               Esten Cooke
Sadie Eidson                                            Sloan Ball
Clear River Pecan Company                    In on Baron's Creek
West End Pizza

Like us on Face Book facebook.com/ww.nebo and see more photos.

Veterans Healing Through Connection - FREE to the Military

Several months ago the Caron Foundation reached out to us asking if we would be interested in partnering with them.  They have launched a couples counseling program. It's an intense three days of group therapy.  We agreed to look into the possibility and let them know.

Caron is based in Pennsylvania and have been doing drug and alcohol rehabilitation for 60 years. They have a really good reputation. Check out their website (www.caron.org).  The literature they left us sounded like their program would be exactly what we have been wanting.  Something to help the wounded warriors on a deeper level.  We asked a local Christian therapist to look into it and give us her opinion.  She also attended the December retreat in Leaky as an observer.  In addition, we had two couples (both retired military) attend incognito to evaluate the counseling from a recipients prospective.  They all came back with very positive reports.  Both couples agreed that it was intense but very effective.  They recommended we go forward.  The therapist said there were many "AHA Moments" for the participants.  She also said it looked like what we have been wanting to do.

So, we will be working out details with Caron regarding what "partnering" looks like.  In the mean time they have two weekends already scheduled.  If you are interested contact Amy Durham at (484)345-2619/Amy.Durham@Caron.org or visit www.BreakthroughAtCaron.org/Veterans