More Than A Road Trip
The “Road Trip” is part of the experience
By Marilyn Bohlender
Later this month on Tuesday, October 28th, some women will travel to Central Area of Oklahoma Disciples Women (CADW) to attend the CADW Autumn Meeting at El Reno. Part of the excitement is “The Road Trip”, with ladies car pooling together for 20, 30, 60 minutes or longer for this meeting with worship, food ($10/RSVP) and learning about a nonprofit. Go to okdisciples.org/ ODW page for more information.
Then there are other road trips that might be longer, like the drive to the first ODW led fall retreat in NE Oklahoma at Camp Christian earlier this month on Oct 3-4, 2025.
My “Road Trip” was with three other ladies traveling 220 miles from Lawton to Camp Christian in NE Oklahoma. Another “Road Trip” began for one FCC Norman lady when she drove to El Reno to catch a ride with their group going in the church van. Nothing says “Road Trip” like a group in a church van! Many others came from all parts of Oklahoma to converge on Camp Christian for ODW Fall Retreat 2025.
Let me share the “more” part of mine and nearly 70 other ladies’ part of the story, which is the retreat itself! Friday evening of retreat started with “Dinner and a Show.” The dinner, consisting of homemade Alfredo noodles, was accompanied by the show which was a skit by the Lawton ladies. Yes, there was laughter!
Friday’s 7:30pm after-dinner program began with a “Look at Time” led by myself, Marilyn Bohlender, ODW President and retreat leader.
Pastor Rachel Thacker, Lawton, who like others drove after a full day of teaching, had us engaged with her Mary and Martha interpretation. She describes a circle that when you are spirit filled you are called to serve and to keep from becoming burned out as you serve, you must be spirit filled. Quiet time with God is essential!
Rev. Darlene Martinez continued our Friday “closer to God” quest by explaining what the Labyrinth Walk truly means as a prayerful tool.
As we took turns on the Labyrinth Walk, Mary Mueller, ODW Secretary, led us with songs in between scripture readings by myself, Marilyn Bohlender. Our high school ladies (11th & 12th graders) even taught us a few songs. Having them at retreat was a blessing for us.
The ladies were given a prayer focus during their walk which fed into next step, a letting go ceremony. Each of us wrote on an index card what God revealed for us to let go.
The writings were gathered in a paper bag, carried as we quietly walked to the fire pit. While they burned, a prayer was said and “Kum Ba Yah” was sung. Wendy Singleton, ODW Finance, provided “Just Cocoa” to drink during the ceremony and the visiting afterward.
Saturday coffee for early risers at 6:45am gave energy for a few ladies to take advantage of the view at Inspiration Point. The quiet and an early morning prayer time added to the experience.
Sign-in was completed Saturday morning in the Dining Hall with name tags, and fill-it-yourself with swag gifted from Phillips Seminary and ODW officers. Retreat drawstring backpacks, printed as a courtesy for us, said, “Proverbs 8:17 (NIV) I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me”, which is reflective of the retreat theme “God in the Midst”.
Of course, breakfast was cereal & milk, plus bacon and eggs. Some commented that next to the cinnamon rolls, the bacon was second best, cooked to perfection. Toward the end of breakfast, Spotlight on IAS (International Affairs Seminar) was presented by Pastor Tara Dew and Tessa, one of our high school young ladies. They brought their experiences alive from being on the IAS trip to New York and Washington.
After breakfast, Rev. Maria Garza addressed our theme with a combination of scripture, inspiration, and God-in-your life stories. At Maria’s question “When was God working in your life?” one attendee gave a testimony of a rough time in her life when a First Christian Church Claremore preacher took time to listen, making a difference. Do not miss times when God just calls us to listen.
You could feel the passion from Rev. Sondra Ladd as she spoke of the Jamaica Mission Trip, where hard work and the plight of the people equals life changing experiences for volunteers as well as those they are called to help.
Our spotlight on youth camp was presented by Maddie Showalter. She and the attendees shared stories and bonded the audience with the importance of youth camp. To give a taste of youth camp, Maddie had Tara and the young ladies from El Reno lead us in singing Johnny Appleseed before eating lunch.
“Voting for Centerpieces with Your Dollars” brought in $226.75 for Camp Christian with Tahlequah being retreat favorite. The auction of the centerpieces, cinnamon rolls and bread brought total money raised for Camp Christian to $1,280.75. Another $350 was raised with donations toward the pickles, spaghetti sauce, jams, and salsa sale at one end of the dining hall. FCC Tulsa announced another way to help is to donate for Camp Christian’s swimming pool liner replacement; there is a donor that will match up to $5K. Thank you Disciples Women for making a difference!
Thirty minute breakout sessions were Tai Chi with Cynthia Clegg from ESSCC; Independent Journaling with Rev. Darlene Martinez, who instructed ladies to find a quiet spot to be still and journal on their own; decorating candles with Denise Smith and Teresa Ingle, Lawton, who taught women to adhere one ply of a napkin design to a candle with wax paper heated by a hair dryer; and a fourth was a on-your-own session called Power Nap, because God’s gift is rest.
Phillips Seminary sent a quick video with greetings for Disciples Women, news of Bedford House, and the 100% scholarship program for members of Disciples Churches.
Rev. Gina Jackson was joined by Rev. Zenobia Mayo with a prayer, brought us a communion service/ending session including a recap video of retreat experiences.
We ended by 3:30pm as I promised in spite of several schedule adjustments. Man makes his plans but God directs his steps was followed; an insightful clergy woman told me flexibility with schedules is a part of retreats. God’s hand was in this retreat; indeed it was, “God in the Midst”.
The road trip and the retreat brought us closer to each other, but of upmost importance brought us closer to God.
Joshua 1:9 (ESV) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Side note from ODW President Marilyn – Oct. 2025
After planning a retreat, you should go home and put your feet up. Just don’t break your ankle first! Actually, broke my ankle Sunday afternoon after returning home from retreat.