The Conference is Almost Here!

Three more days until we celebrate being a military spouse in Colorado Springs with military spouses from across the country! We are stuffing bags full of gifts, sorting door prizes, ordering tons of food and putting together all of the details of the conference. We are all abuzz and loving it!

Not only are we putting all those last-minute details together, but we are also making plans for next year’s conferences! (Did you hear that? More than one!) We have even more fun and exciting plans for Colorado and Texas in 2011–and also for  churches and/or organizations across the country with military ministries! Keep checking in to see what we have planned!

See you in a few days!!

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Love some of that Chick-Fil-A!

Tomorrow we are hosting a Wings Conference fundraiser in Colorado Springs and Chick Fil A is being SOOO generous! They are doing it ALL DAY at ALL 5 Colorado Springs locations for us! Chick-Fil-A rocks! Especially Torrie Giffen who has coordinated it all for us!

Hope you can join us tomorrow as we raise money to help military spouses!

Click here for details!  chick fil a flyer

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Scholarship Giveaway

We received a donation for three scholarships to the Wings Conference May 14-15 and we just gave them away to three facebook fans in Colorado Springs: LAUREN ROBERTS, MELISSA BOYLE and .KALYN DIAL-GILLESPIE! I am so excited that these three ladies get to go to the conference this year! Congratulations! Be sure to join the Wings for Women Military Spouse Conferences Fan Page on Facebook to get in on specials and such.

Have a nice weekend!

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On Conferences and Retreats

I’ve been doing a lot of studying on what makes a great conference; from the ones I used to attend as an MLM distributor, to conferences like Women of Faith and Beth Moore. The more I talk with people about what we are trying to do, the more I’m noticing a varied response. My husband and other men always ask, “Why a conference?” Whereas women always say, “A conference?! We’ve been needing one of those!”

I firmly believe that women just need a place to gather. When we have that place, be it a home, a coffee shop or a conference, we will bond, talk, laugh, cry and heal. Men usually don’t understand this idea because they need something to rally around when they meet: a ball game, electronics, vehicles. Give a group of men a broken down car and some tools and they will walk away at the end of the day knowing they’ve accomplished something. Give women a place to meet others like themselves and they will walk away at the end of the day knowing that they are not alone and therefore feel encouraged and strengthened to carry on.

So, that’s what I tell the men who question this idea: we just need a place to get together.

Wings for Women is providing that place. When you come to the conference, you will get pampered by massages and gifts, entertained by skits and speakers, and educated by other military spouses and professionals who can make your life easier. You will walk away from this two-day conference feeling lighter, healthier and connected. (You can even register now by following this link)

For some, however, just that one time boost each year isn’t enough. Some of you are living in homes where the effects of war-related post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has ravaged your safe haven. It has changed your life in a way you never wanted or would have wished for. For you, there is something additional that you will want to attend. That is the “When War Comes Home [Don’t] Retreat” that Marshele Carter Waddell and Rev. Rahnella Adsit are putting together just for you!

The retreat will take place at Glen Eyrie in November of 2010. It is an overnight intensive retreat that will focus on healing for the military spouse who live with the effects of PTSD every day. They are putting together an amazing program for healing, help and accountability that is unprecedented. Find out more from the website-whenwarcomeshomeretreat.com.

So my encouragement is this: Come to the conference in May at the Cheyenne Mountain Conference Center and invite your friends–you’ll meet with military spouses from across the nation and you will be uplifted and encouraged by the program we’ve put together.

And if you are in a family reeling from the effects of battle-induced PTSD, also sign up for the intensive retreat at Glen Eyrie in November.

Military Spouses–this is your year!!! Go for it!!!!

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Don’t miss out!

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Tickets on Sale Now!

Finally! A Conference for Military Spouses!

Wings for Women Military Spouse Conferences
a non-profit corporation

Presents:

Take Cover!
Colorado Springs 2010

Treat yourself to a fun weekend made just for YOU

with:

Amazing Speakers
Workshop Breakout Sessions
Friendship and Laughter
Great Worship Music
Fabulous Food
and
Fun Entertainment

Geared specifically toward the issues military spouses face~

2010 Workshop Breakout Topics:

Marriage and Communication
Successful marriages don’t just happen–especially in the military. They take some creativity and lots of hard work. Get the tools you need to create intimacy and communication in your marriage before, during and after deployments for a successful and fulfilling military marriage.

The Aftereffects of War (PTSD/TBI/Suicide)
PTSD is the new reality for military families facing multiple deployments during this long war. Talk with a panel of experts in the field and get the resources you need to identify PTSD behavior in your spouse, know what to do to keep yourself and your family safe and/or diffuse the situation, and recognize secondary traumatic stress symptoms in yourself.

Surviving Deployment
How do you get through single parenting while your married? The long nights alone? The empty space at the dinner table? We all have different methods to cope. Talk with a panel of military spouses who have been there–many times. Find out how God wants us to use our time during a deployment and discover creative ways to keep the family in touch while he’s gone.

Helping our Kids Cope
Often our children are the forgotten heroes; they must learn how to cope with frequent moves, long distance daddys  and other challenges of military life. Listen to stories from other military spouses and get new ideas to help your children thrive in their adventurous military lifestyle.

Finance Management for Military Families
Finances can be a strain on any family, but couple financial challenges with a down economy, moves and deployments and the challenges can be overwhelming. Get practical tips and advice from financial professionals on eliminating debt, saving for the future and having a cushion for those unexpected expenses.

Mobile Careers
One of the most challenging tasks for a military spouse is finding meaningful work or volunteer opportunities. Not anymore! Hear from professional career coaches on what it takes to create a niche for yourself in your mobile lifestyle. Whether it is working, school or volunteering, this session will help you realize your strengths and talents (as well as what you should avoid), and help point you to the best opportunity out there by giving you the skills and tools you need toland that perfect position–one that can even move with you.

All this for only $24* (early bird registration here)
Onsite childcare provided for $8.50/day/child

Make it a weekend retreat and stay the night for $88!
(follow this link to register for a room–just mention you are with Wings for Women!)

Join us May 14-15, 2010
At the Cheyenne Mountain Conference Resort
for the time of your life–
for military spouses by military spouses!

Learn more about Wings for Women here

Follow our blog: www.Wings4Women.wordpress.com
and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook @Wings4Women

*It is and always will be our goal to keep this conference affordable for any military-associated woman who wants to attend. This is made possible through many local businesses and donors who are supporting this conference through sponsorships and scholarship donations.

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Coming Soon!

It’s 2010, and tickets go on sale soon for the biggest Colorado Springs Wings for Women Conference yet!

Keep your eyes and ears open…there are many great things in store like a special promotion on Facebook! Be sure to Fan “Wings4Women” to get in on a really great prize opportunity!

See you soon!

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Home is where…

Last week I was so excited to head back to Colorado Springs. My heart broke when we moved from there a few months ago, but being a military family, we followed my husband to San Antonio when he was reassigned. My roots grew deep in that beautiful mountain town. I loved walking into the local coffee shop and hugging the owners because they were friends. I liked going to networking events and always finding someone I knew. I was glad to be involved in important community projects and be there long enough to see them come to fruition. Colorado Springs was the first time in years where I felt part of the community–probably because we were there so long (in military time, 5 years is an eternity in a community!).

So yes, it was a hard thing to leave all that, pack up our cars and drive to San Antonio. I had such culture shock driving into the Texas-sized city from I-10. We lived in the Alamo City in the late ’90’s so I thought I’d easily find my way around. I was amazed at the city’s growth–now double decker off-ramps adorned the freeway and I never even recognized the road we used to live on. However, once we moved into our rental, I felt disloyal to my Colorado home because I liked the house my husband picked out. (That’s a whole other story: the punch line? It was the first time he picked out our home and he did a great job!). We spent days unpacking and getting settled, and then I was in the midst of that “lonely time” while I tried to meet people to befriend.

When we left Colorado, I planned a week-long trip back for my Wings for Women board meeting, some fundraisers and networking. I counted the days until I could fly back “home” to my mountains and the beautiful city. When I finally arrived at the Colorado Springs airport, I pranced off the plane, drew in the fresh, mountain air, and enjoyed a long drink of fresh tapwater that tasted like melted snow. Then I started to notice some changes in myself. It began when I called Marksheffle Road (a thoroughfare in the Springs) “Marbach” (a San Antonio thoroughfare). And then the cold weather hit.

I froze all week because I didn’t have my boots and down jacket. I slid on the roads because the car I borrowed didn’t have 4-wheel drive like mine does. I got lost going to a meeting because I didn’t have my onboard navigator. I had to redo some work because my laptop didn’t support the program I used at home. And although I stayed with wonderful friends who were filled with hospitality towards me, I was still a guest in someone else’s home. About three days into my trip, I began to desperately miss my family. And that was when I learned that home is not where my heart is (for my heart will always be in Colorado).

Home is where my stuff is.

Home is where my family is.

I had fun in Colorado Springs catching up with friends and getting some important business accomplished. But when I got on the plane Sunday afternoon I sat down and smiled. I was heading back to the big city.

I would soon be with my family.

I was finally going home.

Have you ever learned a lesson such as this? I’d love to hear about it!

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Our 2010 Conference Venue is Confirmed!

I’m so excited to announce that our 2010 Conference will take place in Colorado Springs at the Cheyenne Mountain Conference Resort on May 14-15. This is such a beautiful property and you will feel pampered in the foothills of the front range as we gather to laugh, cry and help each other be the best military spouses we can be!

Even better news: The conference center is giving us a bloc of rooms for $88 per night (unheard of) so you can come from out of town or just give yourself a weekend away. In fact, the conference is the weekend after mothers’ day AND during Military Spouse Appreciation Month. What better gift could your hubby get you than a weekend to refresh with friends! Start dropping your hints now! You can have a whole weekend of fun and relaxation with one, two or three friends for LESS THAN $100! How cool is that!?

So spread the word, mark your calendars and watch for registration to open in January!!!

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Preparing for the Next One

Our conference last April was such a great start to what is proving to be an amazing way to offer hope and encouragement to military spouses worldwide! I’m already excited about the 2010 Conference in Colorado Springs! It will be a launching board for nation-wide conferences in a plan that will come to fruition in about five years!

Again, we are shooting for an April conference. This time we’ll have break-out sessions where we can delve more deeply into military spouse-specific issues like PTSD, Single Parenting, Keeping the Family Strong, Dealing with Stress and Grief, Finances, and Careers. We will have so many resources available for you–you’ll never feel alone again!

We’re getting some excellent speakers lined up, too! Can’t wait to reveal those to you!

In the meantime, if you stumble across this site because you are a military spouse, please share us with others! We’re a new kid in town and we’re looking for friends!

Thanks!

Alane Pearce
Founder and Executive Director
Wings for Women Military Spouse Conference

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