Retreats with a Twist

They say that being a mother is one of the most rewarding jobs a woman can have. It’s also one of the hardest. It’s even harder if you are going at it alone. We recently met Gail Showalter, a local professional speaker and published author who spent 16 years of her life as a single mother to three children (she is now married to hubby Sam since 1996). Gail knows the day to day hardships that a single mother faces and has a deep desire to connect to those women by offering guidance and encouragement.

You may be reading this thinking, “Me, need guidance? Yep. Me, need encouragement? Sign me up!” Gail’s love for single mothers inspired her to organize S.M.O.R.E for Women, “Spiritual Ministry Offering Retreats & Encouragement.” SMORE events are how you can get connected and find support through Gail. SMORE works with churches to host Saturday retreats (need I say more?) tailored specifically to the needs of the single mother. Each retreat focuses on one of the following themes:

• Personality Predicaments
• Money Matters
• Bonding and Boundaries
• Job Jump Starts
• Dating Do’s
• Manners Matter
• Family Fun
• Grieving a Loss

Just imagine a day where someone cooks YOU lunch. Perhaps you get a pedicure, maybe even a massage or –gasp- a soak in the Jacuzzi! So, let me get this straight for you… SMORE works with a church to bring you, the single mama, a pampering retreat filled with physical relaxation, encouragement for the soul, food for the belly, and a chance to learn how to lean on God for strength and not yourself. By the way, did we mention that there are SMORE supporters that allow these retreats to happen at no cost to the attendees?

Perhaps you are not the single mother we are talking about here. Instead, you, like Gail, might have a heart for single mothers. You’ve walked that road and you know how difficult it can be. You can get involved with SMORE by bringing the program to your church! SMORE is in need of passionate women to organize retreats and bring hope and much needed time off to these special moms. Let the planner in you shine as you minister to women in your own community!

Read Gail's inspirational blog here.

To find out more about SMORE or Gail’s ministry, visit SMORE online.

To find out more about Gail, visit www.seeinguthrough.com.

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