Enjoying (in)RL Friends in Hilton Head

Thank you to everyone who has written such beautiful words about Sara. She was so honored and humbled by the words yesterday. If you haven’t linked up yet, it isn’t too late. Her family continues to read her posts, emails, Facebook messages, etc.

Today I wanted to share a bit about my (in)courage writers retreat trip to Hilton Head, which Sara got to be a part of (more to come). I know she would want me to share these photos and about this special time.

To be honest, I was a bit nervous about bringing Adeline. She is a very good baby, but she is still nursing and napping a lot. I wondered, will the other girls mind? Will it be inconvenient?

It was perfect and glorious.

My heart is so full.

You see, while we come from all over – from the west to the east coast and everywhere in between – we are real life friends (and real life friends do NOT mind babies – they love them and you!).

Real life friends celebrate joys and pray though heartaches.

Real life friends love on our babies.

Real life friends revel in the gift of motherhood and the cuteness of our babies together.

Real life friends cheer for book releases.

Real life friends walk on the beach and pose for dozens of pictures.

Real life friends help one another with silly photo shoots of babies in bathing suits.

And babies in bike baskets.

Real life friends skype friends who can’t come to the beach. {Skyping with Sara was a highlight of the trip. She had told me in the weeks leading up to the trip, as she was getting sicker, that she was trying to rest and rest just so she could skype. To see everyone crowding around the computer and for her to get to say hello to so many of the women she has grown to love was beautiful. I wept.}

 

Real life friends richly love.

These women are some of my dearest friends, despite the miles separating us, and this annual Hilton Head weekend together nourishes the innermost parts of my soul.

I’m so thankful.

This year, we made a special announcement about how to connect (in)courage beyond the online community and (in) real life! I hope you will check out this video, then click here for a few more details and to to sign up.

It’s always better to be together (in)RL, isn’t it?

Pictures by Ann Voskamp, Emily Freeman, Dawn Camp and me. Special thanks to DaySpring and Hilton Head Island Chamber of Commerce who hosted the (in)courage bloggers for a long weekend of dreaming, praying, and planning for the (in)courage community, along with relaxation and fun. Resort Rentals of Hilton Head Island generously provided beautiful beach front accommodations and Low Sea Bike, Beach and baby Rental, Inc. provided bikes. DaySpring took care of all the incidentals and meals for each of the bloggers. If ever you’re looking for a family vacation destination, this is it! Special thanks to Jessica Gardo from the Hilton Head Island Chamber of Commerce for helping coordinate our trip and being simply fabulous the entire weekend.