Retreat Book - "My Soul to Keep" by Tananarive Due, received a rating of 8.3. I don't believe any of us will forget Dawit, Jessica, and Khaldun.

The following are retreat moments that are memorable. I encourage each of you to respond to me with your memorable moments to be included in our record book. Tell what you thought of the retreat, and your significant moments. I will cut and paste them into
one document to be included with this follow-up. First and foremost, hats off to Sharon. The location, food, gifts, program, book, Cherokee Queen Tour, and most importantly the “Togetherness” to celebrate one year of reading and all other accomplishments of SST. 5
STARS FOR YOU, Awesome Job.

That first evening on the Screened In Porch was very memorable. Inside each gift bag were various gifts. Our Empowerment Motivational Cards were inside the gift bag. We took turns reading our cards and discussing their significance to our lives. Our Friday evening
dinner included, Chicken Artichoke Pasta, Salad and Italian Bread, Tea, and Ice Cream Pies.

The Uglie Orange exercise proved that outside forces and ego can get in the way of getting a problem solved. Ebony and Terri led the two groups. The Bag Lady exercise reinforced that different opinions are respected. Ebony graced us with poems from her book "Butterfly Kisses"; Saundra recited “The Fellowship of the Unashamed" and “I'm Not Giving My Black Back" was performed by Alicia.

Devotion lead by Alicia and Maryam empowered us to know that when God made "you" he broke the Mold. He made you unique and special. Discussion of Gifts of God - Wisdom, Knowledge, Discernment, Prophecy, Healing, Tongues, and Faith. God would not have you ignorant.

We really appreciated Robin Franklin coming all the way from San Antonio, TX with her massage techniques. Saturday Afternoon was spent cruising around Grand Lake on the Cherokee Queen, immediately after lunch of Deli Meats, Turkey, Ham, Pastrami, Croissants, Fruits, Tea, and Cookies. Saturday evening’s dinner of Prime Rib, Greenbeans/New Potatoes, 7 Layer Salad, Rolls, Wine, Bavarian Cheese Cake w/Raspberry & more gifts.

Emma's mother, (we all called her Ms Lee) also attended the retreat with us as a surprise birthday present given to her by Emma. Emma has advised that she is still talking about the
great time she had. Another memorable retreat moment is that Ola caught one Fish.

The morning stretch, the walking, the movie, the snacks, the Margarita’s and the Togetherness was just icing on the cake for a wonderful retreat.

Lastly, on a personal note, I have actually been doing things a little different as a result of the retreat. Rhonda, I went straight to Sally's for that product we talked about and on over to Akins to shop for the essential oils.

Send me your comments on the retreat. It will be fun referring back to them years from now. Copy Sharon, I'm sure she will enjoy reading them.

Happy Reading,
Saundra

• The vision for the Sistah's Sippin' Tea One Year Anniversary Retreat finally came to fruition. The retreat was everything that I hoped it would be. Historically, I have not been a fan of gatherings with large groups of women; too much "stuff"........ My attitude has changed. I loved our weekend together. It's truly something special to spend time with a group of Sistahs who understand that the pleasure of reading lies in our very existence. When the company is good, our pleasure of reading is truly doubled when we can share our thoughts with someone who has read that same book. At least for one weekend, Simpler Times Inn was our sanctuary; a beautiful, serene wonderful place for us to get together for the sake of reading and sisterhood. I was empowered and motivated to always do something special for me; to connect pampering with the body, mind and spirit for the total effect. I laughed, cried, danced, ate and ate, enjoyed the hot tub overlooking the lake, and even had the opportunity to see a beautiful bride arrive at her wedding on the lake in a Cinderella like carriage pulled by the most gorgeous horse. The unveiling of our own SST poem and scrapbook was too special; they are now a part of SST. I could go on and on but I won't.

I hope that our retreat weekend is only the beginning of what can be a strong, committed, supportive, relationship for Sistah's Sippin' Tea, Tulsa Chapter!

Intently, Sharon SST Haynes

• I have to say The Retreat was "GRAND" on no other than Grand Lake. What a "RETREAT WE HAD". The feeling of well-being, good company, good food and fellowship has left me with a sweet aroma of peace and love. When I think about the fellowship a "BIG GRIN” comes across my face that could light up a room. Of course, our book discussion was the highlight of Saturday night. I can't wait to read the sequel. There were so many wonderful activities going on that I can not just claim one. I enjoyed everyone and everything. Hats off to Sharon for a wonderfully planned retreat. We were far away from everyday distractions and that made it perfect, even my cell phone would not work (smile). I am still talking about the great times we had on our retreat. Everything was "SPECIAL". I could say more but I don't want to bore everyone.

Peace Maryam

• Sorors- I can only remember one other vacation trip I had that was as wonderful and special to me as our retreat was. And the other one was to Disney World in Florida with my husband and kids 12 years ago! It was just wonderful! The food and who ever could have imagined so much LOOT! Sharon--I just admire you for being so resourceful and farsighted. I know the hard work it took. I want to be just like you when I grow up! You all realize now what a crybaby I am. I was so very touched by the gift of the bible. I had never seen one like it and enjoy the comments and the pictures in it. I could never say thank you enough. I've bragged about that retreat to so many people. It was marvelous! I got to spend a little time getting to know more of you-- that was priceless. Ebony's poetry was so good-- this girl is unbelievably gifted-- and the way she read it and shared it with us was phenomenal. Sharon scheduled those of us who lead activities and that made us feel good. Thank you Sharon. I hated to leave Sunday morning and miss all the fun.

You all be blessed! Alicia

• Ladies, the retreat was AWESOME. This was one of the most relaxing and energizing times that I have shared with a group of wonderful ladies in quite some time. Sharon did a wonderful job in pulling all of this together. (Hats Off to Sharon.) And to all of the other Sistah's that shared in the work; you did a wonderful job also. There was such a great feeling of sisterhood throughout the retreat.

New Sistah on the block, Ola

• I want to thank all of you for making the retreat one of the most
memorable weekends that I have every spent with a bunch of sister's. It was so good for me both physically and mentally. This was my first retreat and I didn't know exactly what to expect, but it was much more than I ever dreamed of.

Everything was so well planned from the location, the entertainment, the many gifts, and the wonderful gourmet meals. Thanks to all my SST Sistah's for this unforgettable weekend;

SST Sis Mary

• Greetings Ladies, In addition to the location, the food, the gifts, the togetherness, and all else, a few of the retreat moments that I will never forget will include, sitting around that table on the screened in porch, with all those tea cups. That scene only enhanced the activities that we did. It’s been said before that sometimes you have to break down to build up. Well that's what I did Saturday evening. If you call crying, breaking down, the feeling that I had, was so good, it made me cry. Sunday’s devotion will always be memorable to me because, for the first time, when asked to pray, I accepted. It was like the remainder of the devotion was intended for me personally. God really did break the mold when he made me. And I am special. I look upon our anniversary retreat as our commencement. The word suggest going forward. My Tea Sipping Sisters, where else can we possibly go but forward.

"The best gift God gave us is each other"
"Literature is a safe place to talk about our lives" without being judged.
Tina McElroy NASA - 4/03, DEW SST SIP

Very Best Regards, Sandra

• The Lord is my Shepherd. Psalms 23:7 Gathered together in the name of the Lord---WE DID MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!! You know I could say a lot about the retreat, but there aren't really Enough words to express how I really enjoyed the togetherness, food, discussions, location and of course, my mother. Mrs. Haynes, you really out did yoself!!! The statement above really says it all for me. There will never be a retreat as beautiful as that one, unless of course, we all get diamond teapot & teacup bracelets:-) We all will forever be bonded by this retreat.

Love, Peace, Prosperity, Good Books, and Plenty of Sippin' Tea, to all. Harris

• I thoroughly enjoyed the retreat. It amazed me that we were able to do SO MUCH with the small amount of money we spent. It felt so good to be amongst a group of women and just be myself. So often women are not free to be who they truly are without fear of criticism or sabotage. I truly feel as if I have found a group of women who laugh with me when I act a fool and cry with me when I am down. I feel as if each and every one of you can contribute so much to my emotional well-being and I want to thank you for being the girlfriends/sistahfriends I never had. Your
support means the world to me. Alicia's BAG LADY presentation had me re-evaluating the way I do things and the UGLY ORANGE exercise taught me that I don't always listen when I am trying to make my point. (smile). Maryam's presentation helped to make me feel better about myself and of course the wonderful massage I received from MAMA LEE did wonders for my frame of mind. I am definitely making up some lotions and following Robyn's directions!!
When I wrote the poem about our group...I truly felt every word as I wrote it down. we definitely ARE diverse and wise and what one of us lacks, the rest of us are right there with the missing ingredient. I truly believe that SST is here to stay!
By the way...if any of you see me even LOOK at a salad that has been out of the fridge for over 2 hours....just SLAP ME okay?

I love you all, Ebony

• Sistahs-
What a way to culminate our first year!!! Thank you Sharon and all the Sistahs for making it such a wonderful event!!! It all felt so right!! Alicia - you were awesome with our sessions. Ebony is certainly a poetry diva!! I was so moved by the poetry - you were speaking to my heart like I'm sure you do to so many others. The thought and feeling that I took home from the retreat was the fact that we have such a pool of talented fabulous women within our group!!!! Entrepreneurs, poetry divas, motivational facilitators, ministers, peacemakers, counselors, cooks, event organizers, fundraisers, philanthropists, writers, editors and on and on!!! And the atmosphere that we strive to foster will help us to realize that much more about ourselves as we go on. When I think about who we are and what I am blessed to be a part of I get a rush. I also really liked the running theme of taking care of our selves - spiritually, physically and mentally. Reflecting on the retreat will inspire more than a few peaceful moments.

Love, Peace & Much Respect
Terri