Kylee DeBock / DeBock Harvesting
In early March, I went on the annual trip to Omaha, Nebraska with four other ladies riding with me to the fun-filled HarvestHER Retreat!
Two ladies, Amber and Tawanna, met me at my house. Then, it was off to Kiowa, Kansas to pick up Amanda and a little further down the road, we stopped in Inman, Kansas to get Becca.
After picking up Becca, we stopped for a quick lunch at Freddie’s and then met up with Kristen and Laura at Rock City in Minneapolis, Kansas for a short side-trip on the way to Omaha. Rock City is a neat little place to get out and stretch your legs while you climb these huge rocks. We played around for about 30 minutes and then we were back on the road to head to the main event!
This year was a bit different as we have always held the retreat in a VERY LARGE house. However, this time it was at Camp Joy Holling which is more like a hotel setting. It is home to lots of family reunions, church camps, business meetings, and even while we were there host to the “quilting bee” sewing group.
At first I wasn’t really sure how I would like taking away the “homey” feel of the house but, quite honestly, l loved it just the same. We had a room with two queen beds so we all got our own bed with a roommate. There was a room downstairs filled with couches, love seats and comfy chairs where we all sat around and visited…just like we would have in the living room of a house. It was a very nice set up.
The first night, there were no plans. This allowed everyone to trickle in as we all arrive at different times. We had people come from Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota and even Canada!
The next day, we went to CLAAS of America. We did this last year but we didn’t get to tour the plant because they were still following Covid-19 protocols. We were all very excited to be allowed to visit the production area and see the combines being built on the assembly line. We enjoyed an amazing lunch and then some fun games of BINGO and pedal tractor races.
That afternoon we went shopping in Ashland and ended the evening with two speakers back at the “house”.
Saturday was a really fun day! We started the day out with breakfast in the dining hall and then had several hours of free time. Some went antiquing and some went to the Goodwill store. I personally found some really great bargains on clothes.
However, the best part was the fun we girls had trying on prom dresses. I sure wish I would have taken pictures of all the funny dresses we tried on.
After all the laughs, we decided to buy a dress and wear our gowns to the evening meal. We got to the dinner hall earlier than everyone else and we stood behind the buffet line and served our HarvestHER ladies as they came in for dinner. They all got quite a kick out of our fun shenanigans.
Earlier that same afternoon, we had a really great teambuilding workshop on site. We went to another building and did some fun games and brainteasers which helped build our communication skills and teamwork. We also did the “flying squirrel” and a levitating board. It was nerve-racking but also a lot of fun and quite an adrenalin rush!
After our shenanigans at dinner, we all went back to the “house” for a fun evening of facials and foot scrubs with everyone just hanging out and visiting. I love all the speakers and going to the different venues for things but, honestly, my favorite part is just visiting with all these ladies.
On Sunday morning, we had a short speaker after breakfast and then it was time to pack up and head back home to reality!
I can tell you that each year I come home so rejuvenated and ready to take on the world! Being around all these AMAZING women is a true gift.
Our trip home started out fine, but the weather started to turn on us and it got icy.
We were only traveling 25 MPH as the roads were in horrible condition. After passing so many cars in the ditch, we decided to call it quits when we got to Becca’s house. It was so kind of her to host us all in such short notice.
So, our retreat had a one-day extension. We ate snacks, watched a movie and called it a night. We woke up the next morning to sunshine and cleared roads so back on the road we went. Everyone arrived home safely and we are all looking forward to next year!
If you are on the fence about coming to retreat, don’t be! I promise you will make lifetime friends and have the best experience.
God Bless,
Kylee DeBock
“ Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10
