intended to take a pic of the sweet granny in the chair in the water, not the scantily clad men. ahem.
From the moment I met Stephanie, one of the founders of (In)Courage, we’ve joked about getting together at a *real* beach house. We would go on and on about how fun it would be, what we’d do (sit and talk in our jammies, of course) until we realized the virtual beach house (In)Courage had set up might be as close as we’d ever get. Cue sad panda face…
But this past spring, right after I joined the (In)Courage family, that dream suddenly became a reality. It was not only a God size dream come true, it was also a way for us to live out community (something we have been talking a lot about over at (In)Courage lately).
So, this weekend (which also happens to be the National Day of Encouragement) we are having an in the flesh beach retreat with the (In)Courage writers at Hilton Head Island (just a hop and a skip from my house in Charleston!). I can’t believe the day is finally here, but on Thursday morning I will drive to see some of those precious hearts who have kept me afloat all year.
They are some of those heart strings I’ve talked about, and they move me and push me and make my soul sing. They are Jesus-friends, the very best kind, and they know exactly how to wrap you in hugs of laughter and encouragement. Spirit friends of the highest order.
We have big plans involving food and chatting, and other things that are equally important. More important though? We will be dreaming and planning big amazing things for you all at (In)Courage. We can’t wait to unveil everything we’ve been dreaming up!
We decided to tweet under the hashtag #incouragebeachwknd if you’d like to follow along.
Here are the lovlies that are able to attend:
Maybe this will inspire you to gather your fellow blog buds and head to your own beach house too? Where would you go if you had a God sized dream blogger getaway?
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Disclosure: DaySpring and Hilton Head Island Chamber of Commerce are hosting/hosted the (in)courage bloggers for a long weekend of relaxation and fun. Hilton Head Island Chamber of Commerce generously provided the accommodations at the amazing beach house, bikes, an ocean cruise, and dinner at The Aqua Grille & Lounge. DaySpring took care of all the incidentals and meals for each of the bloggers.
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{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Relevant this October :-) I’m going. Have a blast!
Traci´s last blog ..THE BEST White Chicken Chili Ever!
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Arianne Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 7:55 am
@Traci, I’ll be there too! Save a spot on your neck for me to hug it. <3
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Insanely jealous here! But have a great time. I’ll try to follow along this weekend!
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Arianne Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 7:56 am
@Shelly @ Life on the Wild Side, wish we could pack all of you along! xoxo
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Have a wonderful time :)
Corinne´s last blog ..Virtual Coffee III
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Arianne Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 7:56 am
@Corinne, thanks! :) we need another bloggy getaway where you and I can sit for a moment. <3
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is it possible to be quietly jealous? :-P do enjoy yourself, k?
Kelly Langner Sauer´s last blog ..note to self- in which the photographer records some learning
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Arianne Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 9:51 am
@Kelly Langner Sauer, i pack your heart w/me, sweets. <3
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This is simply amazing. I bet you have been looking forward to this for a long while.
I am jealous but in a totally happy way, of course.
Also when hubs gets the curtains hung I will post a pic for you to see.
domestic extraordinaire´s last blog ..Summers End
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Arianne Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 9:51 am
@domestic extraordinaire, Oh can’t wait to see!
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So incredibly fun! Have a wonderful time!
And my dream get-together will be Relevant this year! SO excited!!!
Erin M.´s last blog ..Growing Compassion
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Arianne Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 9:51 am
@Erin M., I know, can’t wait to hug you there!
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DIVINE. What a fabulous group of women. Perhaps someone would take me along in their suitcase? ;-)
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Arianne Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 9:52 am
@Musings of a Housewife, YES, just come on down today. :)
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I have several bloggy friends that I would love to hang out with IRL. Maybe one day it will happen. Y’all have a blast! :)
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Arianne Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 9:53 am
@Mary, plan it girl! Life is so short, and the effort/time/money is more than worth it. <3
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Oh my! It sounds WONDERFUL! <3 Enjoy every solitary second!
And I agree with Jo Lynne. I'm bendy, I can try to fit into a suitcase, too :)
Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting´s last blog ..My New Goal – Run My First Marathon in 2011
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Arianne Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
@Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting, I have many bendy friends, love it! LOL
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Love. This is a great idea. I’m proud of you all for making it happen.
Online community is wonderful and a blessing, but if it never translates into real-life community, it lacks.
Have a wonderful time! I will follow the Twitter stream and use it to let God teach me about not being jealous of the blessings of others. ;-)
Kelly @ Love Well´s last blog ..Silence
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Arianne Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
@Kelly @ Love Well, aw Kelly, you’re amazing. We need to make it to the same place one of these days!
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Oh man, I agree with the other comments, I am so jealous. But on the flip side, so happy for you. I bet there will be a whole lot of lovin’ and squeezing, and squeeling and encouragement being shared.
I think that this will be super healing for you, to be in such awesome community with your Sisters.
Also, I’m so happy you found them, and they found you.
And remember what we talked about? It’s the Jesus thing, it’s totally the Jesus thing.
Carrington´s last blog ..Just do it
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Arianne Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
@Carrington, yes that Jesus thing, it keeps coming up eh? :)
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Jealous…in the best way. I send all of my love for you to give out liberally while you are there. Please squeeze Stephanie extra good for me and make sure to have at least one wildly inappropriate conversation.
Ahem.
:)
(also send my love to Dawn and Robin as well….
Ack! You are going to have the BEST TIME!!)
Rock those bangs, baby child.
–S.S.
sara sophia´s last blog ..Snip- Snap- Sew
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Arianne Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
@sara sophia, is talking about sex in the holiest of contexts really inappropriate? :)
I shall rock them, and text you in my mind since you have no phone for me to text…le sigh.
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sara sophia Reply:
September 13th, 2010 at 10:57 pm
@Arianne, Only to some…but I love that you came right out and said it :D
You are my favorite.
S.S.
sara sophia´s last blog ..The Good Station
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Robin ~ Pensieve Reply:
September 11th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
@sara sophia, {{hugs lovie!!!}}
Robin ~ Pensieve´s last blog ..The sisterhood of the traveling
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tee, hee! tee, hee! I’m girly giddy. Can’t wait!!
emily freeman´s last blog ..what you don’t want to do
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Arianne Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
@emily freeman, squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
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Can we have Dog Hair ‘11 at your house? It’ll involve me wearing black pants and sitting on your dog hair covered floor.
(p.s. This will be so good for your soul.)
Erin´s last blog ..Sniffle
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Arianne Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
@Erin, Totes. And we can have a lint roller company sponsor! And we can all take home puppies!
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Enjoy your time. It sounds positively peaceful – and I’m sure you’re learning a ton from each other.
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Arianne Reply:
September 8th, 2010 at 5:32 pm
@Stephanie, thank you! it’s amazing having awesome smart ladies to learn from!
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i’m so excited to hear fun details — about the trip and the new projects you’re being led toward …
kudos to you girls for being intentional with community … i just moved away from my own “heart strings,” and i’m realizing how deeply that is needed.
keLi´s last blog ..About a Boy
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Arianne Reply:
September 14th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
@keLi, yes it’s SO NEEDED. you’ll be led somewhere else now, it’s ok. <3
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Maybe you can all just give one big group hug and say it’s from me? So many wonderful, beautiful friends, all in one big house… you know my heart is with you. <3
Ashleigh (Heart and Home)´s last blog ..Dear Little Man in the Bible Club
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Kindly photo shop me into all photographs.
Thank you.
Yours Sincerely,
Lisa-Jo
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama´s last blog ..Lame sponsors of the world unite!
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Sounds like an amazing weekend! I hope you had fun and were encouraged ({in}couraged?). I keep meaning to check out this community of ladies, and I think tonight will be the night.
If I had a beach weekend to plan for a bunch of friends, I think anywhere with a beach would do. ;) Cupcake, though far from a beach weekend, was a great time this past January. It’s really the people who make it, don’t you think?
Hyacynth´s last blog ..Everyday Life- Dehydrated
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Arianne Reply:
September 14th, 2010 at 5:23 pm
@Hyacynth, Oh goodness, YES. You must start reading. They changed my life last year and became a part of my heart before I knew how badly I’d need them this year.
I moved out of the Chicago area right before Cupcake ‘10, it looked fabulous!!
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