A Celebration of Health Stewards
The 2008 Texas Gathering
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Recipe For A Life Changing Experience
Ingredients:
- Over 50 Health Stewards from all across the world
- A genuine, transparent leader who longs to share his story
- An oasis of a get away hidden in beautiful Beaumont Texas
- The behind the scenes work of many stewards and family
- Scheduled sharing and gatherings times...
- Multiple opportunities for spontaneous sharing
- Hugs abounding as 'cyber friends' became REAL time 3D people
- The sharing and unconditional understanding of the pain associated with obesity
- A love story of two of our own health stewards culminating in a wedding in Beaumont
- Laughing that often turned to tears... and tears transformed into laughter
Directions:
Come with an open heart and mind. Take in all the above ingredients and allow them to marinate in your heart and in your thoughts not only throughout the weekend, but for the rest of your life.
I consider myself a 'life changed' in Beaumont. I was blessed with the fellowship of meeting so many members of my health steward family and having the opportunity to share with them, laugh with them, cry with them and most of all... learn from them. From the beautifully, peaceful surroundings of the retreat centre combined with the surreal effect of finally meeting many of my fellow health stewards in REAL time; I truly felt that I enjoyed a little bit of heaven on earth.
We enjoyed staying in the same facility, complete with healthy meals in a lovely environment that made conversation and fellowship flow. Our incredibly etherial surroundings allowed for lovely nature walks and an opportunity for us to enjoy one another away from the distractions of our respective busy lives.
I really enjoyed and benefited from our organized times of sharing with Dr. Nick and other special guests who had been invited to enhance our experience as well as the incredulous times of sharing with my fellow health stewards and some of their special family members (support networks) who joined us for our gathering. I truly felt like a 'star' with paparazzi following us as the flashing of cameras abounded! Everyone was so busy trying to actually 'freeze' a moment of this magic for posterity sake via a picture.
So many people had come before us tirelessly working and giving of their resources to see that this gathering was 'da bomb' (as our own Dr. Nick would say)! We donned matching Texas gathering HS t-shirts, a beautiful jewelry pin and enjoyed a well thought out scrapbook to document our thoughts and memories as the weekend progressed. We enjoyed a venture out to a local restaurant that has become 'famous' by one of our own HS who lost over 180 lbs. while eating at this establishment EVERY day! I will never forget the laughs and memories made when we enjoyed a bridal shower - Health Steward style for our own bride and groom the night before they were married.
The wedding was simply magical and the underlying romance remains a special blessing in the eyes of our health steward community. It is yet another example of the commonality we all feel as we struggle to lose the weight that imprisons us and strive on to the ultimate goal of becoming true stewards of our health. An outsider may wonder how could a wedding happen when the bride and groom had never met the pastor that would marry them and some of their own attendants; however, this defines the fact that we ARE a family and we have learned so much about one another that allows us to truly impact one another's journey utilizing the S.E.A. (support, encouragement and accountability) online tool that Dr. Nick so tenderly designed to help us succeed.
While I am an old-timer in relation to my time as a health steward, I truly feel like a 'baby steward' as it was only after the Texas experience that I truly understood what being a health steward is all about. I thought I knew it before, and sure, I had read and re-read Dr. Nick's books, been active on the website, listened to many a HouseCalls and 'thought' I got it. It wasn't until I HEARD Dr. Nick share intimately with us as a group at the retreat centre and then again in listening to him share his testimony at a local church in Beaumont on Sunday morning, that I heard with 'new ears'. For the first time in my journey, I realized when Dr. Nick shared so eloquently with people who had NEVER met him at that church... his story that I had missed so much before. His compelling testimony drove home two facts, which have changed me and my journey toward my goal. The two facts that he shared in a way that profoundly affected me were: (1) You cannot compartmentalize weight loss and not examine what got you to this point. He went on to share on that point that it is SO much more about what goes on in our 'heads' as opposed to our 'stomachs' (2) We must 'change the way we see, before we change the way we look' and that this is inclusive of EVERY dimension of our health, not just limited to the physical.
If it is a life change you are looking for, in regards to reclaiming your health and becoming a true health steward... find a way to be at the next health steward gathering… you won't walk away disappointed… only sad that there are not more opportunities to experience a little bit of 'heaven on earth' with people who REALLY get it. The teaching, memories, 'a-ha' moments, and love will marinate in your heart and your mind LONG after you hug that last steward 'good-bye’! Dr. Nick's story is powerful and his longing to see authentic lives changed is equally as dynamic! The pounds lost and memories gained from the Texas 2008 gathering cannot be quantified, but the quality of just the experience in my life can be summed up in two words -- Life Changing!
~Tina-86
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Reflections on the Event
I'd never attended a Health Steward gathering, but had eagerly scrutinized all the pictures that were posted on the site as other groups met, and wistfully wished I could meet the people who had become so dear to me online. When Ray broached the subject of a gathering in Texas, nearly a year before the fact, I decided to take the plunge--and when my notoriously shy husband agreed to go with me, it was definitely a sign that this was the right thing to do.
The preparation that went into this event was astonishing. Well before our departure, we had in hand an itinerary, a map with driving directions from the Houston airport to the retreat center, and a list of everyone scheduled to attend. We knew all about the Retreat Center, had contact information for Ray and Karsten, and were even provided links to airlines and car rentals. Everything was covered. Karsten's website and his and Ray's emails kept us current as developments unfolded.
Knowing that I was going to be meeting a lot of people who had been watching me for years online was a powerful incentive to get myself in the best shape possible--it was in preparation for the gathering that I began daily accountability, upped my exercise standards, and worked harder than ever before to be in top condition. I'd been slipping a bit, and the prospect of the gathering re-ignited my motivation.
Because the "Keep it Simple Stewards" theme was established long before the actual event, we knew there would be no pressure of any kind on us. What a relief that was. No expectations, no mandatory meetings, just show up, go with the flow, and have a great time. That's exactly what we did. Within minutes of our arrival we were greeted, hugged, and made to feel like we were re-uniting with sisters and brothers. Our room was already assigned and prepared with a welcome gift. We felt at home in an instant.
The place: Holy Family Retreat Center was as perfect as it could be. The grounds were quietly beautiful. The rooms were private and comfortable. The meeting areas were large, well lit, and handy for anything from a wedding to an impromptu workout session. There was exercise equipment in each guest house! The food was amazing. I had worried that we would be eating carb-laden monastic type fare (lots of bread, macaroni and maybe some fish) during our stay, but the menus were healthy and the food was beautifully prepared. I can't think of any place better suited to what we set out to achieve.
The schedule: We truly did "keep it simple". There was no pressure. Meetings were casual, but focused. We got a lot done, but still found plenty of time for exercise, one to one conversations, leisurely meals, meditation, and sweet, sweet fellowship.
The wedding: Simply amazing, from the stag and hen party to the reception. What a celebration! Sheri's talent shone in the decorations, the food, and the obvious love and care that went into the wedding. Everyone pitched in to help with clean-up. It was a one-of-a-kind event.
The people: The word that kept bouncing around for the first day or so of the gathering was "surreal". Here were the tiny, silent pictures we'd seen online, suddenly, finally, springing to life--talking, laughing, hugging. We all knew each other instantly. Our hearts had been in tune for so long that the whole thing felt like a family reunion, and indeed it was. The people made the event. Even my shy husband was drawn out of his shell, made friends, and had a chance to do some counseling. We all ministered to each other. The SEA of love was bottomless. Everyone was just as wonderful as I'd expected, and more.
The worship: My heart was in a state of worship and rejoicing from our arrival on Thursday to our departure on Sunday afternoon and beyond! It couldn't be anything else, surrounded as we were at the retreat center by constant reminders of God, and the sweetness of the fellowship. The Sunday services at Praise Christian Center were unforgettable, from the music to Dr. Nick's powerful testimony. I felt as though I were going to church with beloved family members. What a privilege it was to join them in praising our God!
The aftermath: It was hard to leave! I was carried on a wave of energy and surrounded by love--truly a foretaste of heaven. Now when I go to the Health Steward website and read an update, I can hear the voice of the person speaking, and remember his or her smiles and laughter. Communicating with my fellow stewards online now has a much more meaningful dimension. In Scott's words, I've become a "gathering junkie" and can't wait until the next opportunity to get together with the dear friends who know my heart so well.
~Mary-104
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Click here for photos from other gatherings
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