"A Life After Breath Experience" Widow's Retreat (2024)

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

Interested in group accommodations?

Contact mattersoflifeandbreath@gmail.com. New options for groups have been added this year - scroll to the bottom of this page for options and virtual tours!

Looking for lodging and room details, including ticket price?

Scroll to bottom of this page for conference grounds map, accommodations legend, and additional details with lodging-specific descriptions and price.

Questions? Still confused or not sure which option is best for you?

No worries! Give us a call at (616)422-7436 and Chey would be happy to chat with you.

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Join Susan VandePol and nationally-renowned speakers at this one-of-a-kind, annual widow’s retreat. The weekend will feature invaluable resources, special vendors, and even surprise guests, all specifically designed to minister to your unique needs and concerns as a widow, all set alongside beautiful Lake Michigan.

Our time will be rich with encouragement, comfort, revelation from God’s Word, uplifting praise and worship, inspirational speakers and informative sessions.

Keynote speakers, main session subjects and breakout topics TBA.

This is your opportunity to break away, breathe, be refreshed and meet other widows who are walking a familiar road of grief, as well as learn some Biblical truths about your sacred calling as a widow that you may have never heard before. Ages range from early twenties to late nineties, with losses as fresh as a week to several decades gone by. You will find fresh HOPE, renewed purpose, and the abundant healing Jesus readily offers! And…you’ll laugh too!

The retreat is held at the lovely Maranatha Conference Grounds in Muskegon, Michigan. We’re praying you here! Join us!

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SCHOLARSHIPS:

We are blessed to be able to offer both partial & complete scholarships to those who would not otherwise be able to attend.

To apply, please complete an application at: https://forms.gle/dJ18jugVC1jyCS4r8

Notes on Accommodation

SINGLE OCCUPANCY (Located in Main Lodge)

$345 standard registration starting June 1st

  • This ticket includes single occupancy of a spacious hotel-style room featuring 2 queen beds, and 1 bath.
  • Included meals consist of hors d'oeuvre/coffee hour Friday evening, Saturday breakfast/lunch/dinner, Sunday breakfast, and lunch following final session.
  • Your room will be located in the main lodge, per availability.

Note...while we recognize that these rooms are highly desirable and sell out quickly, we have chosen to minimize the number of single occupancy rooms in the Main Lodge to maximize the number of women that are able to come experience the retreat weekend (as each of these rooms has the potential to house two attendees). Thank you for understanding our heart behind this decision.

SINGLE OCCUPANCY - SUITE (Located in Israel & Jordan Buildings)

$305 standard registration starting June 1st.

  • This ticket includes single occupancy of a spacious hotel-style room featuring 1 queen bed and 1 bath, located in a suite containing (2) such private apartments.
  • You will have your own lovely, private bedroom & bathroom, but share a living area and fully-functional kitchen with one other attendee. Requests for suite-mates will be honored as long as other attendee has also purchased the suite option (please use the roommate request box to specif your suite-mate).
  • Please note, these accommodations are either a 1min drive or a 3-5min walk from where we hold our sessions. Parking is available directly in front of the Israel/Jordan buildings, and valets will be available to assist with luggage.
  • Included meals consist of hors d'oeuvre/coffee hour Friday evening, Saturday breakfast/lunch/dinner, Sunday breakfast, and lunch following final session.

DOUBLE OCCUPANCY - MAIN LODGE

$285 standard registration starting June 1st.

  • This ticket includes one bed (double occupancy) of a spacious hotel-style room featuring 2 queen beds, and 1 bath located in the main lodge.
  • These rooms are accessible via stairs OR elevator, and are located in the same building as the dining area/cafeteria.
  • Roommates will be assigned at random unless otherwise requested at checkout. Roommates must have purchased a separate, comparable (double occupancy-main lodge) ticket.
  • Included meals consist of hors d'oeuvre/coffee hour Friday evening, Saturday breakfast/lunch/dinner, Sunday breakfast, and lunch following final session.

DOUBLE OCCUPANCY - DUNESIDE APARTMENTS

$295 standard registration starting June 1st.

  • This ticket includes one bed (double occupancy) of a spacious apartment, featuring a bedroom with 2 queen beds, 1shared bath, living area and fully-functional kitchen located in the Duneside Apartments directly behind the Main Lodge.
  • Please note, this lodging is only accessible via stairs (no elevator). There is a ramp that goes to the 2nd (main) level, but does not go to the third level. If you have accessibility issues or cannot tolerate stairs, please note this in your registration.
  • Roommates will be assigned at random unless otherwise requested at checkout. Roommates must have purchased a separate, comparable (double occupancy-Duneside) ticket.
  • Included meals consist of hors d'oeuvre/coffee hour Friday evening, Saturday breakfast/lunch/dinner, Sunday breakfast, and lunch following final session.

GROUP OPTIONS (Guest Bungalows - available June 1st)

  • Maranatha offers a variety of options to accommodate groups who would like to stay together, including (but not limited to) guest houses/bungalows with an assortment of bed/bath options. If you are interested in exploring this option, please contact us at mattersoflifeandbreath@gmail.com. ALL Group options must be scheduled through Chey.
  • Available group accommodations include China Upper/China Lower (view tour), Korea (view tour), Bolivia (view tour), and the Founders Home (view tour). Prices vary based on beds/amenities.
  • As these accommodations are group-specific, there are minimum ticket numbers (beds filled) that must be met in order to complete registration. This number varies based on the amenities available and all attendee information will be required to complete checkout.
"A Life After Breath Experience" Widow's Retreat (2024)

FAQs

How to survive the first year of widowhood? ›

Here's How I Survived the First Year of Widowhood
  1. Lean on a loyal friend — or sibling. Find someone who will faithfully and frequently listen to you talk and cry out your grief. ...
  2. Do what feels right. You will be invited to go out for lunch or dinner multiple times. ...
  3. Expect the roller coaster. ...
  4. Volunteer. ...
  5. Hang in there.
Apr 18, 2024

What is the first stage of widowhood? ›

For many, a feeling of shock, disconnect, or disbelief is the first stage of widowhood. You may feel like you can't even understand what's happening or like you're living a nightmare. Even as reality starts to set in, you may not truly process right away that your spouse is gone.

How do widows grieve? ›

It shatters the foundation of one's existence, often leaving behind a void that at times can seem impossible to fill. The emotional and psychological impact of losing a spouse can be devastating. Widows may experience a wide range of emotions, including denial, sadness, anger, confusion, loneliness, and fear.

How to live life as a widow? ›

How can you cope with the death of a spouse?
  1. Talk to a qualified counselor. The complex, powerful emotions that come with losing a loved one can be difficult to sort through on your own. ...
  2. Focus on self-care. It's common to lose interest in eating and cooking after losing a spouse. ...
  3. Stay busy. ...
  4. Get a pet. ...
  5. Turn to others.
May 4, 2023

What are three things widows need? ›

Here are three things a widow wants you to know:
  • Give Much-Needed Support.
  • Listen Without Judging.
  • Respect Their Grief Journey.
Mar 7, 2023

Why is the second year of widowhood harder than the first? ›

In the second year of grief, you no longer have the shock to cushion the blow. The reality hits home and you are forced to confront some very intense emotions. The first year is often a blur and it can be hard to remember what happened.

What happens to your brain when your spouse dies? ›

Grief and loss affect the brain and body in many different ways. They can cause changes in memory, behavior, sleep, and body function, affecting the immune system as well as the heart. It can also lead to cognitive effects, such as brain fog.

What is widow syndrome? ›

The widowhood syndrome is what the widows experience after their spouses have died, such as a broken heart syndrome or the loss of will to live and continue. Some people find it hard to process the grief of the death of a loved one with whom they've spent several years.

What is the average lifespan of a widow? ›

Table 1
Non-Hispanic WhiteBlack
Survivor Life Expectancy (Wife)12.4813.52
(1.21)(1.19)
Survivor Life Expectancy (Husband)9.4810.05
(1.51)(1.77)
11 more rows
May 14, 2021

How do widows cope with loneliness? ›

Taking up some of your time with social hobbies or activities is much better than sitting at home alone and will take your mind off feeling lonely, what's the worst that can happen? You might even enjoy yourself! Try not to isolate yourself. There are many grief support groups, as well as your family and friends.

How do I rebuild my life after being widowed? ›

8 Steps to Healing After the Death of Your Spouse or Partner
  1. Allow Yourself to Grieve the Loss of Your Spouse or Partner. ...
  2. Grieve in Your Own Way. ...
  3. Talk Out Your Thoughts and Feelings. ...
  4. Feel a Mixture of Emotions. ...
  5. Find a Support System. ...
  6. Understand that Grief Is Hard Work. ...
  7. Do Things When the Time Is Right.

How does losing a spouse change you? ›

You may feel numb, shocked, and fearful. You may feel guilty for being the one who is still alive. At some point, you may even feel angry at your spouse for leaving you. All of these feelings are normal.

How do you survive the first year of grieving a loved one? ›

  1. Recognize these will be tough days. My family had celebrated every holiday since 2010 with my oldest daughter's family and her in-laws. ...
  2. Express how you feel. ...
  3. Celebrate holidays. ...
  4. Live in the moments you have. ...
  5. Hold on to hope. ...
  6. Lean on your family and friends. ...
  7. Remember God will never leave you.
Mar 26, 2024

What is the greatest challenge in adjusting to widowhood? ›

The greatest problem in widowhood is still emotional. Even if it had been a bad marriage, the survivor feels the loss.

How long does widow fog last? ›

Widow Brain lasts anywhere from two months to a full year; however, there is no concrete timeline on how long the actual grief will last. Instead, people typically report the symptoms of Widow Brain improving in this time with the sense of loss remaining.

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