This is a new year with new possibilities and for some with new beginnings. Prayerfully we have learned from the past and we are wise as serpents and harmless as doves. ”Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.“ Matthew 10:16 KJV
We need to be obedient sheep.
“Know ye that the LORD he is God: It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.“ Psalm 100:3 KJV
If we follow the shepherd for He will supply our needs and we shall not want.
”But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.“ Philippians 4:19 KJV
”The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1 KJV
This spring, during our Empowerment Weekend, we will learn more about trauma, and what we can learn as we experience trauma and as we learn to trust in God and His timing and His plans, as our lives are changed and as our hearts are mended and healed. Dr. Melinda Skau and Arlene Hendriks will be co-presenters for the weekend of March 29-31, 2024 at Camp Wakonda in Westfield, WI. Please plan to attend and bring a friend or two or more!
The theme for the weekend: “Treasures Out of Trauma”
Melinda Skau, MD is a Lifestyle and Family Medicine physician in Oroville, California. She is trained in sexual education and counseling. She is delightfully married for 44 years to Randy, a general surgeon. Melinda and her husband and their two children served as missionaries in Nigeria for ten years. Melinda enjoys listening to God books, memorizing God’s Word, hiking with prayer partners, kayaking, 4WD camping in nature, creating music on piano and organ, Bible studies with friends and visiting beautiful places. She loves to share God’s faithfulness using the trauma in our lives to show His glory. Come see how God uses rejection, abuse, losses, illness and other challenges in our lives to bring us into joyful and righteous intimacy with Jesus. You are God’s beloved treasure, precious in His sight. You are loved!
Arlene Hendriks is the author of Treasures Out of Trauma, which is now also translated into Spanish. She is associated with Hearts Being Healed, a one day conference where women share their healing journeys. She is the After Care Coordinator for classes based on her book in both languages which follow each Hearts Being Healed conference. Arlene says, “Never in my wildest imagination did I think of being an author, speaker and teacher, sharing my life journey with others as we enter into the riches of relationship with Jesus Himself. But I was so broken, and such a slow learner, I started writing down what the Lord was doing to bring me to receive His healing touch, and the rest is history!” Her current life Scripture comes from Psalm 92:14-15, “They will still yield fruit in old age; they will be fresh and green to declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”
Treasures Out of Trauma is a combination of stories and teaching which lead readers into being able to intentionally partner together with God to bring about transformation in their lives. Jesus’ death on the cross brought us salvation, which is both a destination – heaven – and a process here and now of letting God prepare us for heaven through His transforming power. He lets us know Him intimately as we allow Him access to the deepest recesses of our hearts for healing. This book will teach the reader Biblical principles to bring God’s good plans for peace and wholeness to joyful fulfillment in the lives of his followers. The 2021 edition adds an appendix of the author’s classroom handouts.
Fall Retreat October 4-6, 2024 at Wintergreen Hotel and Conference Center in Wisconsin Dells
Presenter : Janet Salazar
Theme: Growing Mustard Seed
Janet Salazar is a recovering Pharisee striving for an authentic, personal relationship with God. Her passion is to inspire others to grow their relationship with God by sharing what she is learning. She received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from La Sierra University in Riverside, California. Janet met her husband Rudy at Union College and has been a pastor’s wife for 37 years and counting. They have two boys, Nolan and Josiah, who bring them much joy and many opportunities to pray. She and her husband are living in Maryland where Janet is focusing her energy on writing and speaking about her passion for God.
Matthew 17:20, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” What is Faith? How do I get it? How do I nurture it? How do I overcome doubt? Why is it so hard to have mustard seed size faith? Is there any hope for me? Discover what faith is and what it isn’t. Learn tools to help grow your faith. Discover how to use the Bible to defeat your doubts and pray effectively.
Friday Vespers
Preparing the Soil / Three Essential Tools Based on personal testimony.
Sabbath Morning
Identifying the Seed / What is Faith?An in-depth study of Hebrews chapter 11 to define what faith is and is not.
Sabbath Divine Hour
The Very Best Fertilizer / Internalizing God’s love.
Sabbath Evening
Weeding / The ABGTs of Prayer –Overcoming doubt and temptation.
Sunday Morning
Support Stakes / Maintaining faith under pressure. – Spiritual habits that bolster faith.
Registration forms will be available for the Spring Retreat by the end of January and, since online registration is not an option at this time, the forms and checks will need to be mailed in to:
Wisconsin Conference Office of SDA
Attention: Women’s Ministries
PO Box 100
Fall River, WI 53932
We look forward to worshiping with and fellowshipping with you as we are equipped for heaven and ready to face all situations with the leadership and guidance of Jesus Christ, the protection of our guardian angels, the infilling of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word. Amen and Amen
”I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13 KJV
Patricia Antoine-Norton, Womens’ Ministries Coordinator