The annual Alaska Conference Women's Retreat, held April 22–24, 2011, at Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, Alaska, drew more than 50 young women attending for their first time. They listened to guest speaker Dilys Brooks, Loma Linda (Calif.) University associate chaplain and intern pastor at Andrews University's New Life Church in Berrien Springs, Mich., as she shared with them they are all God's beloved daughters.
A special youth-focused segment on Sabbath evening covered dating and relationship topics like when to date, boundaries in dating, and dating without regret. Mothers and daughters listened and asked questions, and young women also shared praise music.
After the retreat, one mom said, "My daughter went home and broke off her relationship with her boyfriend as she sense[d] this was not the right relationship God wanted for her."
The weekend concluded with communion and an anointing service. Women were reminded of the power of God's healing touch in their lives as they headed back to their homes, churches and communities empowered by the assurance that He who began His work in them would complete it.
Pictured here from left are: Diana Wilhite, Sue Hess, Linda Carleton, Dilys Brooks, Eseta Poulivaati, Jean Gobah and Maria Avellaneda.
