Nov 08 - 10, 2024 - Weekends for Bereaved Parents
This is a weekend for bereaved couples and singles to spend some relaxed, unhurried time with other parents who understand the experience of losing a child. As we go through the weekend, we will learn from each other, pray for one another, encourage each other, and find out that we are not alone on this journey. Our goal at these retreats is to point grieving parents to our only true source of comfort, Jesus Christ. Anyone who has lost a child is welcome to come. You are welcome if your child has been in Heaven for thirty days or for thirty years. You are welcome if your child was stillborn and never took a single earthly breath, or if your child lived to be an adult and had a family of his or her own. Come, knowing you will be surrounded by people who care, who understand, and who will pray for you. This will be a safe place, a place where we can honestly discuss our struggles, knowing we will not be judged, because every one of us has been there at one time or another. We will also share our victories, and rejoice with each other as we move along the road toward healing. What will we do over the course of the weekend? We’ll talk about our kids in Heaven and we’ll pray for each other. We’ll explore the beauty of nature around us, enjoy delicious meals together, discuss God’s presence in our grief, and form lasting bonds of friendship. Our time will be informal, but structured. Certainly, we will cry together … but we will also laugh together. There is no cost to attend one of these special events.
Come, knowing you will be surrounded by people who care, who understand, and who will pray for you. This will be a safe place, a place where we can honestly discuss our struggles, knowing we will not be judged, because every one of us has been there at one time or another. We will also share our victories, and rejoice with each other as we move along the road toward healing.
Hosted in Michigan
Learn MoreMichigan
Our Michigan retreats are held at Blue Spruce Lodge on Stone Lake in the southwest part of the state. Blue Spruce Lodge features 11 bedrooms, 12 bathrooms, a beautiful kitchen/dining area, an expansive deck overlooking the lake, and several comfortable gathering areas. Guests will enjoy the 340 feet of spectacular lake frontage, sandy beach, firepit, and hiking/biking trails. The picturesque town of Cassopolis is not far away! This event is open to both single parents and married couples. Please refer to our Purity Policy, found under the "About Us" tab. Lodging at Blue Spruce for Friday and Saturday nights and all meals from Friday night through Sunday morning are provided, and there is no cost to attend this event.
Dan and Kristin Naylor
Dan and Kristin Naylor live in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with their kids Isaac, Eli and Olive. Their daughter Abby was stillborn July 13, 2018, four days before her due date. Kristin is fortunate to be home with the kids and supports the pregnancy loss community in various ways. Dan manages a sales team for CBRE and together they honor Abby through their Etsy shop. They are honored to be a part of the WWW Weekend facilitator team and anxiously look forward to seeing Abby again one day!
Our Schedule for the Weekend (all times local)
Friday
4-5:15 PM Arrival time
5:30 pm Dinner
7:00 pm Sharing Our Stories (Part 1)
Saturday
8:00 am Breakfast
8:45 am Sharing Our Stories (Part 2)
12:00 PM Lunch
1:00 pm Sharing Our Stories (Part 3)
3:00 pm Free Time
5:30 pm Dinner
7:00 Pm Topic Time
Sunday
8:00 AM Breakfast
8:45 AM Worship and Closing Time
10:00 AM Goodbyes
Frequently Asked Questions
Our retreats are 100% free, though we do accept a voluntary donation at the close of the retreat.
While We're Waiting is a 501(c)3 non-profit that operates entirely off of generous donations.