It's going to be truly miraculous to spend five days with one another! Thank you all for holding the vision and space for this retreat to happen.
If you're newer to our group, the idea for this retreat came up more than two years ago. It grew out of a desire to get to know each other in person and celebrate the bonds that have formed so quickly. And we figured Madison County, Iowa, where Bob and I live, would be a perfect place to gather—especially since the Bridges of Madison County are known for love!
The 2022 summer retreat was transcendent. Now we're holding our SECOND retreat—this time amid the spring splendor in Madison County! So, watch out, world, there's going to be an EXPLOSION of love and light coming from central Iowa in April!
Here are a few details, the registration links and info to get ready.....
The retreat starts at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, with a welcome reception at our house. (Come earlier if you can.) We'll wrap up at noon on Tuesday, April 30, so please plan your travel so you can be here for all of it if possible!
Home base during the day will be at our house, which is just seven miles north of Winterset in the heart of Madison County, Iowa. We've been asking our guides and the Holy Spirit for good weather so we can get outdoors, walk the rolling hills behind our house and have some of our discussions, meditations and special activities out on the deck.
To get here, you can fly into the Des Moines Airport (DSM).
Once you know your itinerary, please email me, and we'll make sure we have someone pick you up if you like. Or you can rent a car or get an Uber...it's about 45 minutes to Winterset from the airport. But, truly, we want to be there at the airport to welcome you, and we have plenty of people with cars, so you probably won't need to rent one if you're flying in.
The best local lodging is the Cobblestone Inn in Winterset, which is just ten minutes from our house and a few blocks from the town square. You can book a king or queen for $112.99, and that includes a hot breakfast. If you'd like to share a room, feel free to reach out to the group to find a roommate. Please be sure to book directly with Cobblestone, and not through a third party. The number for the Cobblestone Inn is 515-462-4889.
When you make your reservation, please let the folks at Cobblestone know you're with Deb Engle's A Course in Miracles retreat. They aren't able to give us a special rate, but they are holding a block of rooms for us.
Winterset has a few B&Bs and AirBnBs, too. And Pris is coordinating a stay at a VRBO for those who are interested. Thank you, Pris! Her email is [email protected].
Each day, we'll have a meditation and plenty of time for Miracles, including discussion and journaling, plus some new ways to experience the teachings.
We'll have free time, when you can relax, take a nap, do some drawing on our deck, take a walk in the hills, or bring an activity you'd like to share. We may be flying kites and playing card games, too!
You'll be in Iowa during a beautiful time of year, when spring is bursting with green! Daytime temperatures will probably be in the high 60s or 70s, although this year, who knows? It's best to pack layers and be ready for anything. Casual, casual, casual! And be sure to pack some hiking boots or shoes and an umbrella or jacket/hoodie in case of rain.
Possible field trips include...
The covered bridges (of course!)
...including Roseman Bridge, which was featured in the movie with Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood.
John Wayne's birthplace and museum
Even if you're not a big John Wayne fan, the museum has a fascinating collection of Hollywood memorabilia. And you've got to see the tiny house where this huge star was born.
Shopping around the town square in Winterset
The town has some beautiful gift stores, a wonderful women's boutique, a quilt museum, and a new Dutch General Store. We may have to go back to Montross Pharmacy's old-fashioned Soda Fountain for sandwiches and fries this year....it was a hit last time!
Pickleball (yes!)
We'll enlist the help of our local pickleball players to get us into the game.
Register now to secure your spot!
Other planned special activities...
Bonfire (with s'mores) and sacred ceremony
Bob's special kettle corn
Movement activities
Group channeling sessions with Charles Tiemann, a psychic and channeler from Des Moines. Charles will be with us the afternoon of Sunday the 28th to do two channeling sessions. It's $35 per person and WELL worth it...just ask anyone who experienced it last time!
And....we're planning a special field trip to Gaylyn and her partner John's farm to meet their animals, do a meditation by their pond, and learn what life off the grid looks like. Thank you, Gaylyn, for being willing to host this special outing!
This retreat is a true collaboration, so if you have ideas for activities that you'd like to lead or share, please let me know.
And finally...
To register for the retreat, just click on the link below. The registration covers the the five-day retreat experience and several meals, including the opening night reception and final night harvest dinner. Transportation, other meals, lodging and entrance fees to places like the John Wayne Museum and Iowa Quilt Museum are not included.
If you'd like to be on a team of Iowa Miracle ambassadors to help with details, please let me know. The team last time helped everything flow SO smoothly, with all sorts of special touches!
If you're on the fence for any reason and aren't sure if you can make it, please let me know. We want you to be here if you possibly can!!
