Eielson/Ft Wainwright Spring Retreat 06
Spring in Alaska

So… you ask…what do you do in springtime in Alaska when the temperatures are still in the 20’s and there is still snow on the ground?  Well, we have our PWOC Spring Retreat, of course! 
With our groups joined together, Ft. Wainwright and Eielson AFB gathered 54 ladies for three days of worship, training, insights, lots of tears-happy and sad, and tons of much needed fellowship.  Both of our groups had just finished up Ronda Sturgill’s study, “Wives of the Warriors.”  This was topped off by Ronda herself, blessing us by joining our retreat.  She spoke to us on spiritual warfare and helped us to realize that we shouldn’t feel inadequate when we’re having trouble coping, but that the enemy is using difficult times to bring us down.  The theme of our retreat was “Basic Training for Wives of the Warriors.”  Upon checking in for the retreat, ladies were issued their ‘orders,’ which included their platoon and barrack assignments; their platoon buffs, which were to be worn in a visible location during all sessions; and their name tags, which included information on their number of PCS’s, children , and years of marriage.  We decorated with various military paraphernalia, enjoyed a dining-in style dinner, complete with grog, and even had our drill sergeant there to challenge and encourage us as we learned what it meant to be in God’s Army.
So, although the temperatures may still seem very cold to most of you, the fun of fellowship along with the love and light of Christ has brought us through another cold, dark winter rejuvenated and ready to serve!

FORT RICHARDSON PWOC RETREAT 2006

Icebreakers certainly broke the ice. At times, I thought laughter might bring the aged log cabin walls down! Women found others who enjoyed similar ice cream or might have shared a past duty assignment. Their new found friends were asked to create a cheer to celebrate their common bonds. What fun it was! WE HAVE CREATIVE LADIES AT FT. RICHARDSON… WITH A FABULOUS SENSE OF HUMOR! The Holy Spirit filled even the corners of our rustic log cabin in the woods as we joined together in fellowship to draw near to our most prominent similarity… Christ.
A stuffed Lynx mounted on the wall smiled at us the entire day as music filled the air in praise of our Savior upon the backdrop of our gifted keyboard player, Kim Chretin, in combination with the vocal beauty of Roxanne Walker! Messages with a focused theme reminded us each to RELAX, RENEW, & REJOICE in Christ as those messages were clearly established through special words from our dearly adored speakers: Karlyn Sieg, Marci Everson, & Jeanne Armstrong.  The sun shone brightly during free time and ladies chose to take a stroll on the frozen Lake, make a beautiful craft, take a nap, visit with a friend, cozy up to read, master a puzzle, or check out some new beauty products. These additions certainly helped to create a “pampered” atmosphere. Of course, the wonderful, snacks and lunch provided filled us overflowing.
Babies, newlyweds, moms, singles, & grandma’s we were! TOGETHER! Relaxing, Renewing, and Rejoicing in who we ARE in CHRIST JESUS! PRAISE HIM for this special day! FABULOUS! I’ll leave you with…Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
            Sincere Thanks to all those hands involved in preparing and carrying out a wonderful experience for PWOC ladies at Fort Richardson, Alaska.  WE LOVED IT! Be sure not to miss it again next year!
Serving Christ,
Donna Armstrong
President, PWOC, Ft. Rich