Sometimes God meets you in unexpected places.
For me, it happened at the Cornerstone Women’s Conference at Lost Canyon Camp in Williams, Arizona.
What I expected to be a simple retreat turned into something much deeper—a weekend of conviction, encouragement, and meaningful friendships that reminded me why stepping away from everyday life to seek God matters.
The Atmosphere of Lost Canyon Camp
Lost Canyon Camp had the kind of peaceful mountain atmosphere that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a different world.
The property had everything you’d want for a retreat:
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- A pool and hot tub
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- A cozy fire pit
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- A massive swing overlooking the property
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- A coffee shop and gift shop
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- A large dining hall for meals
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- A theater where worship and teaching sessions were held
There were also fun evening activities planned like a nacho bar and Bunco night, and the camp invited us to relax in the hot tub after the evening sessions.
My cabinmates and I had every intention of going.
But something else happened instead.
Our conversations got so deep and meaningful that we never made it to the hot tub or the natcho & bunco night.
And honestly, I wouldn’t trade those conversations for anything.
Cabin Conversations That Turned Into Real Connection
Each attendee received a cute swag bag with some goodies and a workbook with reflective questions after every session. After the teaching, we would gather back in our rooms together to discuss what stood out to us and close our time in prayer.
What surprised me was how quickly strangers became friends.
Every woman in our cabin happened to be in her 40s (total God thing there), and even though we all came from different backgrounds and churches, we found ourselves opening up about things that weren’t always easy to talk about:
Our past struggles
Our current challenges
Our faith journeys
Our hopes moving forward
Those conversations were honest, vulnerable, and incredibly encouraging.
We connected so well that we’ve already created a group text chat to stay in touch and continue supporting each other in our walks with Christ.
There were also plenty of moments of laughter. At one point, one of the girls jokingly referred to me as “a cotton ball in a petri dish.”
Her point was that I’ve been attending so many conferences and soaking up wisdom everywhere I go that I’m like a sponge absorbing it all.
We all laughed, but she was definitely right on point.
God has been teaching me a lot through all of these women's events I've been attending (and life lessons He's been teaching me lately).
A Sweet Touch From Our Dorm Leaders
One thing that made the weekend even more special was the thoughtfulness of our dorm leaders, Melissa and Teri.
They brought along snacks, a coffee maker for the cabin, and even surprised each of us with the cutest shoulder bags filled with goodies.
It was such a sweet gesture and such a thoughtful keepsake from the retreat.
Moments like that remind you how meaningful the little things can be when people serve with love.
It also gave me some wonderful ideas for the future. As someone who hopes to host retreats of my own someday, I loved the idea of creating goodie bags for roommates as a way to help women feel welcomed and connected from the very beginning.
Thank you Melissa and Teri for making our cabin feel so warm and cared for!
The Main Session:
Main Session 1: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
The main teaching session started on the first evening of our arrival after checking into the retreat and focused on 1 Corinthians 13, often called “the love chapter.”
But the teaching went deeper than the verses many people hear at weddings.
One thing I had never heard before was that Paul actually wrote four letters to the church in Corinth, but only two were included in the Bible.
The speaker, Cherie Wagner, reminded us that knowledge alone isn’t enough.
Knowing God and knowing His Word means nothing if we don’t allow it to transform us. Of course we're not perfect and we make mistakes but He convicts us along the way to ultimately love everyone unconditionally.
She said something that really stuck with me:
God Himself is the prize.
Love means giving of yourself to meet the needs of others—even when they don’t deserve it and expecting nothing in return.
That can be a difficult concept in today’s world.
But it’s exactly the kind of love God calls us to live out.
Breakout Session 1: What Is Discipleship?
One of the breakout sessions that impacted me the most was called “What Is Discipleship?”
This session really convicted me personally.
For a while now, I’ve felt like God has been calling me to share my story, my travels, and my faith on social media, but if I’m being honest, I’ve been praying for the courage and boldness to actually do it...and the time to do it consistently while traveling so much.
I’ve had hesitation and apprehension about putting myself out there.
But something the speaker said stuck with me deeply.
She shared something another mentor once told her:
“I don’t have everything, but I’m going to give you everything I’ve got.”
That statement hit me hard.
Because that’s exactly what discipleship looks like.
We don’t have to know everything.
We simply share what we know and allow the Holy Spirit to do the rest.
She referenced 2 Corinthians 12:9–10, reminding us that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness.
That message gave me the courage to take the first step.
Since the conference, I’ve already started creating videos for two devotions I’m currently working through; The 40 Day Word Fast by Tim Cameron & The Gratitude Reset Journal by Ryan Miller.
I don’t have all the answers, but I can share what God is teaching me.
And maybe that’s enough.
My Gentle Reminder to Trust God’s Calling
This message also reminded me of a sermon I recently listened to from Craig Groeschel about following God’s calling.
One of the biggest fears people have is this:
“What if I get it wrong?”
But the truth is, God already knows every step we’re going to take.
As Ephesians 1:11 reminds us, God works everything according to His plan.
Even our mistakes.
Another verse that brings me comfort is Psalm 32:8:
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”
When we follow Him, He guides us.
Step by step.
Breakout Session 2: Love Through Every Season
Another powerful breakout session was “Love Through Every Season” by Apryl Ortiz.
This session addressed something that many women quietly struggle with in their relationships—the impact of pornography addiction.
What struck me most was how many women in the room were going through similar, if not exact situations with their spouses.
It was incredible to see how God used one woman’s story to bring healing and encouragement to so many others.
Apryl shared resources to help women support their loved ones while encouraging men to seek healing and deliverance through God and local groups, etc.
It was a reminder that even painful topics can become opportunities for restoration and hope.
Main Session 2: 1 Corinthians 13:4–7
Speaker Yvette Collier shared a powerful analogy about how God gives us new lenses to see through.
She described it like getting glasses that correct our vision.
God helps us see things we couldn’t see before but we have to fill the prescription by living out His will.
She spoke about qualities we all struggle with daily like patience, long-suffering, kindness, restraining anger, refusing to complain.
Tell me, what does it look like to you to be patient? To be Kind? To not envy? To not boast? To not be proud? To not dishonor others? To not be self seeking? To not be easily angered? To keep no record of wrongs? To not delight in evil, but rejoice in the truth? To always protect? To always trust? To always hope? To always persevere?
What ways in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 do you need to work on the most? I know there's a few things He convicted me of in this session. Lord, please guide us to living out your will for us in our everyday lives. In Jesus name, Amen!
These are the everyday ways we carry our cross and reflect Christ to others.
At the beginning of the session we were all given a new set of "lenses" and of course we had to take a picture! Not just a fun gesture but great reminder & keepsake to take home and in our hearts!
Main Session 3: 1 Corinthians 13:8-12
In the final session, Yvette Collier taught on 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 but as always, verse 13 stands out to me:
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
Yvette mentioned verses Ephesians 4:10-11, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Romans 12:6-8, and 1 Peter 12:6-8 all referring to how God gives us our own individual spiritual gifts but if they're not being used out of love, it's for nothing. Gifts are good but love is greater!
It really prompted me to think on my works and how I want to show love to others using the spiritual gifts He's given me.
I truly want to help others heal themselves naturally. I know He is guiding me to eventually put on my own small group health retreats.
Going to all these women's retreats and conferences, I know He is slowly revealing to me how to make that happen and I can't wait for the day when plans and that little nudge in my heart of conviction comes to fruition.
One line she shared really stood out to me:
Faith is choosing to trust God and hope reminds us that God isn’t finished yet.
James 1:2-4 reminds us to consider it pure joy in our trials and that we're mature & complete, lacking nothing.
That message spoke directly to something I’ve been struggling with trusting His timing lately.
Learning to Trust God’s Timing
For the past several months, I’ve been tent camping while traveling full time, and while I’m grateful for the adventure, I’ve also been praying and hoping for a camper.
Something simple that would allow me to lock the door at night for safety, give my dog Buster a comfortable place to ride, have a small refrigerator to keep food fresh, prepare meals more easily on the road, shower more often and a few other conveniences of home that would be so nice to have on the road.
Waiting has been frustrating at times. I know He's called me to travel full time and I'm holding onto His promises that He's going to equip me for it in Jesus name!
This message reminded me that faith means trusting God’s timing.
As Psalm 23 reminds us: "The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing. He refreshes my soul and guides me along the right paths."
And Psalm 119:105 reminds us: "Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path."
God is guiding every step of this journey.
Even the frustrating ones.
Even the moments when I’m loading and unloading camping gear from my car at every stop.
Maybe He’s preparing me.
Maybe He’s strengthening my faith.
Either way, I know this:
God isn’t finished writing my story yet.
And until the day I’m traveling in a camper…
I’ll keep trusting Him.
Ask yourself, what areas of your life do you need to trust Him more? I know when we pray for patience, He's going to put us in situations that will test our patience. What is He preparing you for?
Walking Away With a Renewed Purpose
By the end of the weekend, I left with new friendships, deeper faith, renewed courage to share my testimony, and a reminder that discipleship starts with simply being willing.
I may not know everything, but I can share what God is teaching me along the way.
And maybe that’s exactly what He’s been calling me to do all along.
Why Women’s Conferences and Retreats Matter
One thing this weekend reminded me is how important it is to intentionally step away from our daily routines and spend time focusing on God.
Women’s retreats and conferences create space for something that is often hard to find in everyday life.
They allow us to:
• Step away from distractions and hear God more clearly
• Spend extended time in worship and prayer
• Build meaningful friendships with other women of faith
• Learn from teachers who have walked through similar experiences
• Be encouraged and strengthened in our walk with Christ
• Reflect on our lives through guided questions and discussion
• Return home spiritually refreshed and Spirit-filled
If you’ve never attended a women’s conference before, I highly encourage it.
In fact, if you're interested in finding one near you, I’ve put together a list of women’s retreats and conferences happening across the country.
Looking for a Christian Women’s Retreat Near You?
If reading about this weekend stirred something in your heart, you might be feeling the same thing many women feel after hearing about experiences like this:
A desire to attend one yourself.
Christian women’s conferences and retreats are happening all over the country throughout the year. Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway with friends, a solo retreat to reconnect with God, or a conference where you can learn and grow in your faith, there are many incredible opportunities available.
To help make it easier, I’ve put together a list of women’s Christian retreats and conferences happening across the United States (and I keep adding more as I find them).
➡️ Check out my full list of upcoming women’s retreats and conferences here:
My Favorite Christian Women’s Retreats Across the USA
You may discover one happening right in your area or find the perfect event to plan a faith-filled trip around.
If you're wondering why so many women intentionally attend these events, I also share more about the spiritual impact retreats can have on your life in another post.
➡️ Read more about why women’s conferences and retreats are such powerful experiences here:
Why Christian Women’s Retreats Are So Powerful & 10 Signs You Might Need One
Sometimes the best thing we can do for our faith is simply step away from the noise of everyday life and give God the space to speak into our heart.
Encouragement for Anyone Reading This
If there’s one thing this conference reminded me, it’s this:
You don’t have to have everything figured out for God to use you.
You simply have to be willing.
Maybe you’ve been feeling a nudge from God to share your story.
Maybe you feel called to encourage others.
Maybe you’re walking through a season of waiting like I am right now.
Wherever you are in your journey, remember this:
God is guiding your steps.
His Word is lighting your path.
And He is not finished writing your story yet.
Take the next step.
Trust Him with the rest.
✨ Grace, adventure, and faith along the journey
Sharla – Sharla’s Wanderlust Adventures
Don’t forget — go somewhere new, heal the way God designed, and glorify Him in the journey.
My Challenge to YOU: Go somewhere new, heal the way God designed, and give Him all the glory in all you do.
About Sharla
Hi, I'm Sharla—a veteran, traveler, empty nester, dog mom to Buster, and follower of Jesus. Through Sharla's Wanderlust Adventures, I share faith-filled travel experiences, Christian retreats, natural wellness, Bible studies, and the lessons God teaches me along the journey.
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