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[costacasa]

I am having a retreat in March 2004 and the theme is "Let It Rain" the colors that I want to use is blue and silver but I am very flexible on that. I am looking for some decorating ideas and gift ideas for everyone. Please help!!!

[Preston]

A few years back we had a similar theme for our Mother-Daugher banquet. It was a Rainforest decor, and we had tropical plants and beautiful flowers and other odds and ends. One thing we did which seemed odd to me at first but turned out really pretty, was string up clear beads on fishing line and we hung them from the ceiling. It gave the affect of rain/mist and the lights really reflected off those crystal beads.

We just used the clear beads at the craft dept at our local wal-mart. The kind that isn't perfectly round/smooth, but with the many facets in them. Then we just cut fishing line at various lengths and strung a bead, tie a knot, strung another bead, and tied a knot and so on and so forth. You can make them all different lengths with however many beads you want. It was very cute and easy easy easy to do....just tedious stringing them up. We have what I think you call acoustic tile ceilings (?) and we just pushed up on one of the tiles and put a string, moved down and did the same all over the ceiling.

I hope that helps and that I explained myself okay

love
amanda

[Prov31wannabe]

I don't know your location, but most Dollar Stores I've been to recently sell umbrellas---again, I don't know your group size or budget, but an umbrella for a buck is a bargain and would be a great take home favor as well as decor.

A very upbeat song that comes to mind with this theme is Kathy Troccoli's "Reign On My Parade". (We have a woman who loves to sing Kathy's music...maybe that's why this pops into my head.)

When you say "Let it Rain"...what is the thrust of your message going to be?
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Colossians 1:27 ...."Christ in you, the hope of glory."

[Mamash]

We did the very same theme last year for our retreat. I had frogs, ducks, umbrellas, watering cans, and rainbows for decor and badges. We made a cloud out of quilt batting and silver foil cruling ribbon streamers coming down looked like rain. We also had a kiddie wading pool with rubber ducks floating in it at the base of the cloud. Oriental Trading is a great place to find inexpensive gifts, they have lots of fog and duck type items. We cut out light blue paper in the shape of rain drops and had the ladies write something that blessed them during the retreat and posted them on a poster board cloud. Hope that helps a little!

Blessings,
Connie

[Hoolee's Momol]

I am organizing a retreat for the fall (September 2004) and was looking for ideas and I like the "Let It Rain" theme, but I'm curious to see where you are going with the theme...what is the spiritual message here?

Thanks,
Esther

[costacasa]

i was thinking about the Holy Spirit Let It Rain down on us.. Have you heard Hillsong Praise and Worship they have a song Holy Spirit Rain and it is so AWESOME!! I want it to be a spiritual weekend. Just being in God's presents all weekend. So many times we get so busy that we forget to take time out to be in God's present and basically I want to see a move of God like never before...

[shellshell]

There ia a terrific song about a flower in the rain.... being broken like a flower in the rain and God's magnificant uplifting after He humbles us with affliction......This could be an awesome retreat i would like to hear more about it.
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Jeremiah 33:3 ... call unto me and I will answer thee and show you great and mighty things which thou knowest not...

[Startrek]

Wow, these are GREAT ideas! I am doing a bridal "shower" for our new youth pastor's fiance' and Lord willing, I am going to use some of these cool ideas! Thanks ladies!

Starr
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"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the LORD forever, for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength." Isaiah 26:3, 4