A few weeks ago, I saw a post on Instagram from Refresh Summit promoting one last spot. On a whim, I responded. I’ve been following Bobbi’s blog for years and I’ve wanted to go to a conference like Refresh for some time. After some reflection time, I registered.

The drive up wasn’t so bad. A little over 4 hours from Atlanta. I arrived at Deer Run Retreat just before dark:

I’m so thankful that I took a leap and took a chance on going. For the first time in 2014 I jumped out and started living completely on my own. I’m still getting used to the silence and the quietness that comes with it. For a time, I couldn’t really enjoy or embrace it. At Refresh, I realized how much more comfortable I have become with embracing that silence as stillness. There’s beauty and knowledge in those still moments that I’ve been avoiding.

Let me just warn you guys, I didn’t go to Refresh to “be engaged, plugged in, or on”. I love social media, but because it’s part of my job and I have a blog, sometimes I just want to be “off”. I just want to disconnect from it all a little. I didn’t plan to document the entire experience on social media channels. I never saw it as that sort of conference. I saw Refresh as a time to get away from it all. A time to reset my thinking before entering into the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. The whole thing was intimate and the close quarters of the lodge really made us all connect even more.
Favorite Refresh Summit Moments:

– How to Read the Bible – I really enjoyed this session with Amia explaining how to read the bible. She told us to think of the bible as a letter from God to us. I never looked at it that way.

– PiYo – I tried it first time during the weekend. I’m officially a fan! I’ve been searching for an Atlanta class to join. Reina was a great teacher.

I’m on the pink mat with the bright shoes! Photo from my roommate Jolene

– Group zumba – I’m always down for a zumba class. All of us danced it out to a couple of songs including “No Place I’d Rather Be” and we ended things right with “Shake it Off”.

– Sleep – I slept so peacefully there. It was deep, deep sleep that I haven’t been able to have in a long time. I spent many nights up late writing/brainstorming and working on my eGuide prior to Refresh. It was nice to sleep without noise and vivid dreams. It was wonderful to wake up refreshed instead of tossing and turning through the night.

–  The Stories – Getting to know new people and listening to everyone’s story. Many of us are going through some of the same challenges. Emotional, physical, and spiritual challenges. Refresh Summit allowed us to share those challenges and relate to each other freely. That doesn’t always happen in day to day life.

– Food Prep – I picked up some great tips from Brittany during the food prep session. I’ve been telling you guys how I really want to get better at prepping my food for the week in advance. I appreciated Brittany’s tips, creative preparations and her knowledge about nutrition.

I won this book by Jeremy Scott. It’s on my fall reading list now:

I left Deer Run full of gratitude. I’m so thankful for this group of people. For all of the prayers, conversations and understanding. I’m thankful for Heather, who reached out and made me feel welcome right after I registered. For the opportunity to attend and for our amazing sponsors who donated food and products that I am still using! Attending Refresh made me focus on what’s next and preparing for 2015.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.