After introductions and music, a round of "comparison bingo" was played to illustrate the speaker’s, Brooke Reynolds, topic for the evening. Brooke’s talk was entitled “The Comparison Game” in which she talked about the story of Leah (Genesis 29). Brooke’s main point was that comparison gets us nowhere and we should put our focus on the One that really matters and knows us, God.
Sabbath morning, the women participated in the Sabbath School at the Ketchikan SDA Church service. Special music was shared by some of the ladies from Craig. Kari Defreest, elder at the Ketchikan SDA Church, gave the sermon on Leah called “Learning to Praise.” Kari talked about how praise can be incremental. Sabbath afternoon those who wished to went for a hike around Ward Lake and were blessed with some decent weather.
In the early evening, Janet Fairchild-Hamilton (in ministry with her husband at the Ketchikan and Craig SDA Churches) lead a discussion on legacy. Janet read passages in Genesis 29 and reminded everyone that God used several of Leah's children in a special way. Janet emphasized that from Leah’s son Judah Jesus our Messiah would be born. To end the retreat, after sundown the women watched the movie Unsung Hero, the story of the Smallbone family. The movie brought the point home that our significance is provided by God.
The group hopes to meet again next year with more women including those from other Southeast Alaska communities. See you in 2025!