Sunshine and blue skies greeted the more than 75 ladies as they crossed the covered bridge spanning the Umpqua River in June onto the beautiful Milo Academy campus to enjoy the second annual Southern Oregon Women's Retreat.

Guest speaker, Kay Rizzo, popular author and speaker from Visalia, Calif., reminded us that we are all God's darling daughters, loved and cherished by our Dad in heaven.

Four workshops slated in only three time slots made for some hard choices, but no one was disappointed. Cheri Gatton taught us how to recognize our gifts from God; Donna Griffith shared her insights into a more meaningful prayer life; Patty Hyland explained the various ways that we can use our writing talents to witness for God; and Josephine Kelley talked about loving God with all our minds in preparation for His soon coming.

A serene setting, great food, inspirational messages, meeting old friends and making new ones—all these things and more combined to make a weekend that refreshed and rejuvenated those who attended. If you didn't get to come this year, plan on it for next year! Many thanks to the Milo staff for making our stay comfortable, and to the Women's Ministries Department at the Oregon Conference office for your encouragement, support and prayers.