PR08

The following article was written by Ruth Wisher, a senior leader in the Lambda Chi Girls Ministry.


The anticipation for our 5th annual princess retreat is growing. This retreat, that brings in hundreds of girls, is taking place on January 19, 2008. The princess retreat is put on by the Lambda Chi Girls' ministry of First Baptist Church, with hopes to unite girls from the surrounding areas. Whether we come from a small country church or a much larger church, January 19 is set aside for ALL girls 6th-12th grade to come together and share their stories, prayers, and dreams with one another. The Princess Retreat helps girls realize that they are beautiful in God's eyes and that He is the one who we should be trying to please. We learn how to deal with problems that we face everyday from those who have faced them before. They teach us to recognize that our heavenly Father is the King, and that makes each one of us princesses. I believe that Princess Retreat 2008 will be the best. We welcome back speakers Shannon Hazleton and Courtney Crowe, who were with us for our past retreats, as well as Sara Beth Geoghegan, a talented musician, who for the third time will be leading us with her beautiful music. We are also very excited to be welcoming Lori Mangum who will share with us. We have been looking forward to this year's retreat for such a long time and it’s hard to believe it is almost here. As the day grows closer we ask for your prayers and support as we reach out to the hundreds of girls that will fill our church. Our prayer is that we can share our light and our love of Christ to every single person who walks through our doors on that Saturday morning and that their lives will be changed as they leave that night. We have had very successful Princess Retreats in the past and we've asked some members of Lambda Chi to share their experiences from past retreats as well as their anticipations for the upcoming retreat.

What do you like most about the Princess Retreat?
Hannah Ward 8th grader- "I like how at the end of the night we all join and sing all together."
What do you hope will happen this Princess Retreat?
Hannah Ward 8th grader- "I hope to get closer to people and to connect with all the girls more."
Marlee Roberts 10th grader- "That God will make his presence known."
What are you expecting out of your very first princess retreat?
Madison Conlay 7th grader- "I expect to have fun and hope all my friends will come."
Marlee Roberts 10th grader- "I'm expecting to get closer to the girls and to God."

Shannon Hazleton

Shannon Hazleton

will be speaking at Princess Retreat 2008. She is a wife, a mom and a really wonderful Christian woman! To learn a little more about Shannon, take a few minutes to read the answers she gave to the following questions.


What is your favorite color? I love fall colors and every shade of blue!

Do you have a pet? Sort of. Our loveable, toe-licking dog Tucker lives at my sister-in-law's house right now because we're living in a small apartment.

What is your favorite sport? Hmmm... Does rock-climbing count as a sport? If not, then basketball!

What is your favorite type of music/band? This is such a difficult question, since I truly LOVE music. I really enjoy listening to jazz and praise & worship. I also like Jars of Clay and Caedmon's Call.

What is your favorite book? I have to use the Sunday School answer here and say The B-I-B-L-E. When I was younger, I enjoyed mysteries (Nancy Drew, anyone?) But I'm not a big novel-reader, so I usually read biographies, or stories of missionaries. The Bible is my most-loved, most-read book ever. I even used to sleep with it in my bed in college, during some tough times.

Do you have a hobby? I thoroughly enjoy writing, and taking pictures of my two adorable girls. I also have just recently started crocheting again - I know, I am so terminally un-cool!

If you could do anything your heart desires for one month, what would you do? I would love to travel through Italy with my husband and two girls, savoring every kind of fare and learning how to cook real Italian food.

Do you have a significant other? Yes, he is very significant. And funny. Jeff and I have been married for 4 years. We met in China and have been having a great adventure together ever since.

What do you do when you have an entire Saturday with nothing scheduled? SLEEP!!! Sundays are our day to catch up on naptime. We also like going to the park and having coffee with friends.

What advice would you give to a teenage girl about following Christ? He will never break your heart, never let you down, and never leave you. Following Christ will be the single best decision you'll ever make. Take the time now to be serious about your relationship with Him; it will have a dynamic impact on the rest of your life.

How old were you when you accepted Christ and tell a little about what happened... I was 12 years old when I realized that I knew a lot about God, but I truly didn't have a relationship with God. I knew lots of Scripture, and all the right Sunday school answers. But I had never really given my whole heart to God. So I knelt beside my bed, in my room, and asked Him to take control of my life. And I've been perfect ever since - ha! Not really. I have made so many mistakes, but God has always loved me, forgiven me, and guided me in the right direction. He is so patient, and so loving.

What is your prayer for Princess Retreat? Oh, I pray that each and every young woman will put away all other distractions and truly seek the Lord. I pray that each young woman will be renewed, and gain a clear understanding that God has a plan for your life - and you get to participate!

Please continue checking the blog for more Q&A from other speakers

Registration Now Open!

• Princess Retreat is an opportunity for 6th -12th grade girls to come together for a day filled with fun, friendship and faith building.

• Registration will begin at 8:30 am on January 19, 2008 and the day will conclude around 8:30 pm.

• Cost is $35 before January 9, 2008. After the deadline, cost is $50 and may not include a T-shirt.

• For more information or to receive a registration form, please e-mail goconner98@bellsouth.net

(Continue checking this blog to find out what Breakout Sessions and Interactive Sessions will available to choose from! We will also be highlighting the speakers and the worship leader in future posts!)