July- "Like a Tree" Purpose By Design Weekend Retreat

"Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked.....but whose delight is in the law of the Lord....that person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither--whatever they do prospers." Psalm 1

The weekend retreat in Tennessee of Purpose By Design, brought 24 girls and 26 leaders from the Chicagoland area, Fox Valley Christian Action and St. Sabina's Church, together to set a vision of being planted like a tree to discover the purpose that God has designed in each one of us.  The girls are in leadership mentoring programs during the year and have expressed an interest in moving ahead, looking for vision and skills to combat the adverse environments in which they find themselves.

During the days together, we participated in art worship listening skills, resilience coping skills, career options, nutrition, health, self-defense, exercise, narrative writing, and banking.  We discussed how to plant our roots deep into who God says that we are, not who the world says that we are, by setting before us the affirmations of the Bible and the promises of God.

The 24 girls became artists as they displayed their creations and spoke what God had revealed to them.  Speaking in front of peers is hard, but a skill that is easier when you realize the mentors love you and believe in you.  Purpose By Design is part of the WMDavis Foundation and has a Facebook page-Purpose by Design.




































Some of their thank you notes from the weekend followed.  Many were thankful for basic needs of meals, feelings of safety and feeling cared about and loved.  Thank you, girls, for letting us know what you took away from the weekend!













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