Can you believe Created For Care is just around the corner? In just TWO weeks you will be driving up that beautiful winding road overlooking Lake Lanier's waters! Sounds glorious, doesn't it?! We are busy getting ready for you guys, and we have a few important details we need you to help us with to make the weekend run as smoothly as possible.
1. Breakouts. Due to many different scheduling challenges, we had to rearrange MANY of our breakouts. We also realized it has been FOREVER since most of you registered for what you wanted to attend, and in that time, your needs may have also changed. If 2 sessions that you would like to attend occur at the same time--NO PROBLEM! You can purchase individual sessions that you are unable to attend at the retreat by completing the CD/DVD order form in your folder. PLEASE TAKE 5 MINUTES TO COMPLETE THIS NEW FORM AT: http://www.formstack.com/forms/?1406012-dEiEQQEnmo
It is VERY important for EVERY attendee to complete a form as soon as possible. We will individually check off names as they are completed and have to contact anyone who does not complete a new one individually so it would help us GREATLY if you could each do this as soon as you can. The deadline for completing this new form so we can begin working on table seating for the dinners, name tags and figuring out which sessions are in each breakout room is TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26th. THANK YOU FOR HELPING US IN THIS WAY!!!
(Important announcement about the Domestic Open Adoption Session: Our speakers for the Domestic Open Adoption session had to cancel for both the January and March Retreat--but Andrea set up a special time for these ladies to connect over decaf in January and would like to do this for the March domestic moms too if there is interest. Should you be a mom who wanted to attend that session simply to connect with other moms in open adoption situations to share stories, ideas and encouragement--please let us know by emailing Andrea at andreapierceyoung@gmail.com and she will set up a special time just for you guys to connect! We apologize for this session having to cancel.)
2. Hotel Rooms. Make sure you have your hotel room booked! Please call the resort today if you do not already have a room. The number for Lake Lanier Lodge is 800-677-5304. You may book a room all to yourself or you can find other registrants to share with (if you need roommates--we suggest giving a shout out on the Created for Care page on Facebook!). You will pay for your room when you check out--and if everyone in your room needs to checkout TOGETHER at the SAME TIME so they can easily split the costs for you.
3. Cancellations. If for some reason you cannot attend the retreat please let us know ASAP. We have a wait list and as long as we have people waiting, we will be happy to refund your money (minus a $6 Pay Pal fee) and let the next person in line register. Please do not transfer your spot without telling us. It is very important for us to know who is attending the retreat so we have name tags and breakout schedules ready for each attendee. It does get more difficult for moms on the wait list to be able to take cancellation spots the closer we get to the retreat as they have to work out travel plans, so if you are unable to come--please let us know this weekend if possible!
4. The Gear that Makes It Possible. Our on-line store for the 2013 retreat is open! In order to have retreats and continue to have retreats--we have to cover our additional costs not covered by registration fees. Attendees registration fees just cover their own personal food/beverage and welcome gifts costs. All the a/v costs, rentals, and other costs required to make it possible we must fundraise for. You can help us by shopping our gear! You will receive a welcome gift that is NOT available in the store (so don't worry about purchasing something you might get at arrival! Each year we change our welcome gift included with your registration and this year a tee is NOT included. So if you would like to purchase a retreat tee, they are in our store in 3 different fun styles. Our retreat theme is "Step out in Faith, Wait with Hope and LOVE BIG"--based on 1 Corinthians 13:13. We also have lots of new items this year as well as some from last year. We will have another PJ night this year--and if you want to be sure we will have your size you can order them now along with anything else in the store early. You can even opt out of paying shipping and just enter the code: RETREAT at checkout and we'll have your order waiting for you when you arrive! There are LIMITED quantities and we will not be reordering--so if you want to be sure we have your size ready for you--go ahead and order now and we'll have it waiting for you with your name on it! You can visit the store here: http://www.createdforcare.bigcartel.com/
5. Pictures/Slideshow. Every year we kick off our retreat by celebrating what God has already done, what He is doing and what He will do through our slideshow representing the families there. If you have not already sent in a picture of your family--the deadline to do so is THIS TUESDAY, February 26th! Please choose ONE picture to email in full resolution size of your family to createdforcare@gmail.com and write in the subject line: MARCH PICTURE. The picture can be of your family in the waiting/paper chase stage, a sweet moment meeting your child or a family picture of you all together. PLEASE just sent one photo and make sure it is full resolution so we can use it in our slideshow.
Thank you for your patience and we are so very excited about seeing you in just 2 short weeks! Most anything you need can be found on our website, so checkout the FAQs there and links for directions to the resort are located there also! If you have any questions that are not answered in this email or on our site, please email us at createdforcare@gmail.com. We are praying for EACH of you as you prepare to come--and we are also praying for your husbands, children and grandparents (that might be helping) too while you come. We are praying for protection over your families and protection in your travels--and we can't WAIT to BLESS each of you with rest, encouragement and a time of sweet worship together very, very soon!
Step out in Faith, Wait with Hope and LOVE BIG!
Blessings,
The Created For Care Team
