Stacy

Stacy Chandler comes to the women's retreat from Houston, Texas. She initially expressed some hesitation, but after making a commitment to attend, her feelings changed. Each person comes away with her own experience, but for Stacy, the women's retreat offered a deeper connection to her family and her faith.

This is her experience, in her own words:

"The boys and I are reading our scriptures, saying prayers, spending time together, visiting, and learning more about each other. I've been gone for so long that I was a stranger to them. This summer has been a wonderful time for me, thanks to Women's Retreat. I can share with them now. I can talk with them now, instead of talk at them. I think they've noticed the change and feel more comfortable sharing with me because I'm no longer a closed shell.

"I've also been working on relationships with people in my community. I actually feel human instead of fake or robotic. Now my smiles are genuine, instead of automatic, for the public. I wish you could fully understand the darkness I came from and know the light I feel now.

"When I try to describe retreat to someone who has never been, the same three words are always spoken first: 'OH....MY....GOSH!!!!!!!' Rhonda has been inviting me for years and I had never gone, although almost every year I said that I would. I always thought retreat was a time for women to get together to talk and be "touchy feely." I wasn't interested in confiding in a group of women I had never met before, not to mention, "touchy feely" isn't my thing. But I discovered for myself that retreat provides an environment to explore the inner self, to discover where you are, to see where you want to go, and to develop a plan to get there. When retreat is over, you're left with a dynamic group of friends who will always be there should you need them or want to reach for them. For myself, I left retreat feeling new; I am a better, stronger person, I and can't wait to go again."

The Dance of Life

Women's Retreat

I am a woman, mother, wife, sister, daughter, full-time student, massage therapist, and much more. Like many others, my life is busy and full, constantly running from one thing to the next. I love my life! I am thankful for the opportunity to be and do these things, but there are times when I begin to forget to take a moment for myself and just breathe. The Dance of Life retreat gave me the opportunity to do just that and much more. I laughed, loved, cried, and danced. I was free to be me! I thank each of the amazing women who shared in this beautiful experience with me! It was such a joy to see each of you shine. You touched my life in a very special way! Remember your goals. Keep breathing, loving, laughing, and dancing!

~Rhonda



For this retreat, the women gathered in a beautiful spot overlooking the Puget Sound, near Marysville, Washington.







A simple reminder to breathe, love, and dance.



Spring was in full bloom.



Retreats are special time to renew important relationships. Mothers attend with daughters, sisters with sisters, and friends with friends. Many others attend to make new connections.



Our retreat was located a short walking distance from the beach.

Each day of the retreat, we take an hour of silence to reflect, meditate, journal, and connect with nature.

Did you attend this retreat? If so, we encourage you to leave a comment and share what you gained from the experience.

Humanity

madonnaw002, originally uploaded by sulustumoses.

Madonna Wiltse has attended every women's retreat since the retreats began in 2001. She is the mother of five children and a grandmother of one. Recently we asked her to write about her experience of the retreats:

No matter what we believe or what differences we have, most humans desire more humanity.

The world tells us success comes from education, power, money, and possessions, but our conscience tells us that kindness and humanity are the real treasures we seek. We admire strength, but we are so much more touched and moved by compassion.

To feel comfortable and safe within my own soul causes me to look beyond me to see you, so we can change the world for us.

The women's retreats are about us. They're about connection with humanity and success in the truest form.

Kimber

Kimber Mannlein, LSW is a licensed social worker who obtained her degree from Boise State University. She has attended Summit Quest retreats faithfully for the last 9 years and is a mom to three beautiful daughters. Recently, Kimber spoke to us about what she gains from attending retreats:

Sometimes in life I feel connected to who I really am.

Each person tries to find a purpose to life or some sort of deeper meaning. For me, I turned to a power greater than myself and asked for help. The answer came through a process of deep self-work that awakened me to see the world through a different lens and to become more aware of the world around me. It awakened me to living in the present moment and to remembering who I really am.

Part of my work from this higher state brought me to women's retreats. Sometimes I resist going because I know have to look at myself and accept everyone as a mirror of my true state. Itʼs hard to do, but when I accept this work of loving unconditionally and being loved, of letting go of masks, of being raw in the essence of who I am, I become clear. I go through pain, joy, laughter, darkness, and whatever issues are up in my life and I become closer to what I am searching for.

Without fail it happens. I cannot explain exactly what transforms, but at the retreat I feel powerful and clear.

McCall Retreat

Summit Quest recently completed another successful women's retreat in McCall, Idaho. Several new people attended, adding a new depth to the growing circle of women.





The women created plaster masks representing the emotional masks they wear in life. The masks helped the women to explore the barriers they place between themselves and others, as well as ways to increase intimacy and trust.

Hear what some had to say about their experience:

"A place in this world with unconditional love is so precious and that is what we have at the retreat. Something I've never had or been able to accept before. I so appreciate the love and caring I felt from strangers who are now dear friends." Janet

"What a beautiful space for love and healing. It was a marvelous weekend." Glenda

"I am again in awe of the transformation that takes place in this sacred space. I revel in the joy that is placed in my heart by being honest, in the moment and real. It is amazing to witness pure light and love when the masks are taken down and vulnerability is present." Kimber

Leavenworth Retreat

This in the Moment women's retreat was held in Spring 2007 near Leavenworth, Washington. Several new people attended. Everyone had a very memorable experience.

Comments from the last retreat:

“This was my first retreat and it is amazing how special I fell in this environment. All the women helped me open my eyes and realize how beautiful I really am. Thank you!” ~Natalie

This retreat was amazing! I really had time to look inward and see the real me. It was amazing to know I can stop pretending that I am someone other than myself! I love the real me! Thank you for letting me get to know myself this weekend.” ~Jenni

About the Retreats

Images from past retreats.

Imagine a place where spirit and earth come together, set amid the wonders of nature, where beauty lives in every mountain, sunset, tree and stream.

Everyone needs a place to escape the pressures of life and to reconnect with spirit on a deeply personal level; to reflect on what matters most and to nourish inner peace. Summit Quest provides a unique space for personal renewal and growth for women through retreats. Participants rekindle old friendship and make new friends. They empower one another to recognize and achieve the highest potentil within.


Rhonda Moses, the owner of Summit Quest and the facilitator at the retreats, has a masters degree from Whitworth University in Marriage and Family therapy and works full time as a mental health counselor at Frontier Behavioral Health in Spokane Washington. However she actually started the retreats years before she graduated with her degree. It was during a particularly difficult time in her own life where she knew she needed some help and support. She did not have the money to go to counseling at the time so she decided to create a women's group that met twice a month to support one another by sharing and listening from the heart, setting goals, and following through with one another. This group lead to creating the space at the women's retreats which began in Hope Idaho in 2001. Now retreats are held three times a year. They are in the winter, spring, and fall. Each retreat has a different theme and is in a different location which makes it great for those who enjoy coming again and again.


The retreats are working retreats which means they are structured in nature with a schedule to follow and that at times participants might be stretched out of their comfort zones as most healing and growth can only happen when we are stretched. At every retreat ground rules are created by the participants that all agree upon. Also at every retreat there is time for silent reflection, journaling, participating in sharing circles and time for other personal growth activities.

Most women who attend the retreats have a powerful experience and return again and again.

Cost for retreats range from $185 to $299 per participant depending on location and length of the retreat. Partial scholarships are often available. The cost of the retreats are quite low compared to similar gatherings but that is intentional. The goal is to keep it affordable.

Each participant is assigned to a small group to provide a meal for the retreat. We may also go out to eat for one meal.

A $100 non-refundable deposit will secure your place. The balance is due 10 days prior to the retreat.

For more information contact:

Rhonda Moses

(509) 599-5572
rmariemoses@msn.com

Read what other women said about past retreats:

"A place in this world with unconditional love is so precious and that is what we have at the retreat. Something I've never had or been able to accept before. I so appreciate the love and caring I felt from strangers who are now dear friends." Janet

"What a beautiful space for love and healing. It was a marvelous weekend." Glenda

"I am again in awe of the transformation that takes place in this sacred space. I revel in the joy that is placed in my heart by being honest, in the moment and real. It is amazing to witness pure light and love when the masks are taken down and vulnerability is present." Kimber

"I feel such an amazing sense of spirit in this beautiful nature setting, with these beautiful women. It has been an incredible experience...another 'open door' for me... a true gift I will treasure always. I have felt such unconditional love and a true sense of trust and freedom; freedom to fly!" Diane

"Learning to be OK with myself is so freeing. This week end has given me moments of pure peace. I love the sisterhood we feel among ourselves. Nothing is more beautiful than watching another bloom before your eyes." Anonymous

"Glad I made the choice to come. As usual, I learned more about myself and I'm grateful for all the gifts of all the women here. I love them all so much." Shelly
"I appreciate the sacred space and unconditional love created at these retreats. I am so thankful to meet such wonderful people and to watch their growth. This is a place I feel pure, whole, and at peace." Kimber

"I felt such an incredible spiritual power with these amazing women. I can't wait 'til next year!" Kristi

"I feel renewed and refreshed. All the love has filled me up. I love each person I had the opportunity to share this experience with." Glenda

"It is the last morning and I feel a loss already in leaving these women and this great experience. The mountains are beautiful this morning. The sun has worked its way through a few dark clouds and the mountains reflect warmth. I have had great experiences this weekend. We really do take with us what we are willing to put into it." Madonna