1st Annual Executive BrainBurner Retreat

Imagine this...6 of the 8 team members sitting around each holding a laptop and making plans for the K4T ministry. The backdrop is a beautiful lake, and most sessions take place on a beautiful screened in deck. The team has a unified purpose of determining what God has for the K4T ministry. Each member ensuring that plans are in line with our mission statement.

For some time we have talked of an executive team retreat. A time for us to reflect on where we have been, what we are doing, plan for the future, a time to build closer friendships, and a time to relax. Unfortunately, two of our members were unable to attend, but rest assured we will provide them with detailed notes and updates. They were missed, but we all understood why they could not attend.

We want to thank our hosts for the weekend: Dennis & Stella Gillen. They graciously opened and welcomed us into their house, provided refreshments, lunch, and provided some much needed relaxation and fun yesterday afternoon.

The weekend began on Friday evening as we departed Blue Springs and headed to the lake (a short 3 hour trip away). We stopped along the way in Sedelia for supper and were provided with an icecream social when we arrived at the Gillens. Then we had the first of five brainstorm sessions. (The first session each day began with a devotional by Bob and time to discuss the scriptures together and pray that God would use it in our lives. What a wonderful privilege it was to open God's Word together and apply it to our lives and ministry.)

Saturday we had sessions from 9 to 3 pm breaking for a short lunch break of grilled hamburgers with the works. Then it was time for some fun on the lake. We won't post photos of the lake, but we will say there was a lot of fun and excitement. I tried several new things like kneeboarding, jet sking, and tubing. I enjoyed it all...and have the battle scars, sore muscles, photos, and two movies to prove it to our children. We concluded the day with a Version 1 Celebration Dinner at Michaels on the Lake. What a beautiful night to celebrate together what God has done this past year.

Today it was raining so we moved our sessions indoors. We all sat around the dining room table with laptops and cords everywhere. We began sessions at 9 am with a Bible Study together. We met until 12:30 when we broke for lunch. We took our hosts out to lunch at their favorite restaurant and then resumed our sessions at 2:15....and met until about 4:30ish. We quickly packed the vans and were on our way home. We arrived back in KC about 8:30 this evening.

We praise the Lord for the progress that was made this weekend. Everyone has set goals to be working on and a renewed focus of their role in meeting our goals and objectives for the year. We have determined that it is important for us to get away and focus on the ministry this way and that we will definitely plan to make this an annual event.

Timothy, Peter, Andrew, and Arrena: thank you for understanding the importance of this retreat and for being responsible enough for daddy and I to leave you for the weekend. We love you greatly and are proud of each of you.