BRIEF OVERVIEW:
In The Garden is (Primarily, but not exclusively) a Silent Retreat Home dedicated to supporting Christian women in their walk with Christ. Small group Bible study weekends may be scheduled. The Garden can accommodate up to seven overnight guests for these studies. Topics available include, “The Light Within,” and “If My People…” a workbook based on II Chronicles 7:14. These courses
are written and taught by Patsy McSpadden. Future plans include individual life coaching sessions and grief support led by qualified personnel trained in the subject matter. MISSION STATEMENT AND PURPOSE
To advance the Kingdom of God by creating a dedicated place and opportunity for Christian women to encounter God for their personal transformation and ultimately for the transformation of our world. STATEMENT OF FAITH:
We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory. We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful people, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential. We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
… “As adopted by the National Association of Evangelicals.”
HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF IN THE GARDEN:
On June 20, 2016, as I write this description of “In The Garden,” I think of my beloved Mother who died twelve years ago today. On the day of her funeral, my sister-in-law and another dear friend, asked me to begin holding retreats in my Mom’s home. Well,….the endeavor has taken a while, but finally the time has come. Their idea, their “seed,” took root in my heart with some unexpected “outgrowths,” (or should I say “branches”), including a weekend conference agenda and a book based on II Chronicles 7:14. The main thing from the seed they planted in my heart, the trunk or tree (I guess you could say), is the retreat center. Over time, the idea for the retreat center begin to crystalize into what is primarily a Christian Women’s Silent Retreat Center - primarily, but not exclusively. I first heard of silent retreats about 20 years ago and probably cannot describe my first experience well enough to do justice to the event. Imagine forty women dining, walking, reading and living in close proximity to one another for three days without saying a word to each other! Imagine what God might say to one who would choose to listen to Him, and Him only, for three days! From the day I left that first retreat, I began to look forward to my second silent retreat. And my third. I want to make that same opportunity available to others by providing a place without the distractions of the outside world or the interruptions of ordinary life at home that make quietness increasingly more difficult with every passing day of our fast paced life styles
This place is one of a few homes known as “Prairie Homes” built in the 1800s that still exists in this area. It is located about fifty miles south of Dallas in the quiet, small town setting of Blooming Grove, Texas. Blooming Grove has one bank, one café, one variety store, one gas station, one antique/collectibles store, one day-care center, seven churches and no stop lights. Someone has said, “Being in Blooming Grove is like being in Mayberry.” Someone else affectionately described the town as “…a step back in time.” The home on Fordyce Street was built in 1893 and occupied by one family for almost 100 years (the Mabry family) until my parents (W. E. and LaVerle Boyd) bought the home in 1989. With a good measure of assurance of their support from heaven “(….since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,” {Hebrews 12:1}), I open their home for this service in the cause of the Savior who loved us all so much He gave His life to redeem us. The name, In The Garden, was chosen because of the significance of the gardens of scripture when encountering God. First, Eden, where Adam and Eve, the created, walked with God in fellowship until sin entered the gates. Then, Gethsemane, where Jesus (the begotten, the last Adam) agonized with the Father for strength to carry out the will of God in the redemption of the created. In an atmosphere of a garden-like setting, may our guests find fellowship and strength to fulfil the call of God on their lives. IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT THE FACILITIES:
In The Garden can accommodate three guests at one time for silent retreats. The guest rooms are named Grace, Mercy and Peace. The one and one-half baths are shared and not private to the bedrooms. Sitting areas are available in the home and on the one-acre lot shaded with giant oaks that surrounds the home. The kitchen and dining areas are available for use and guests will need to bring and prepare their own meals with the exception of their day of arrival when a light dinner will be served. Cookware and dishes as well as condiments are provided. Coffee, tea, filtered water, fruit, protein bars and other snacks are also provided. AGENDA AND PRICE RANGE:
Mondays are reserved for local prayer meetings as follows:
10:00 – 12:00 - - Come and Go Prayer Time
Christian men and women are invited to arrive and leave anytime during the two-hour time (10:00am – 12:00pm) to pray for their community, their Civic Leaders from city, county, state, and national offices. Listings of governmental leaders and national issues will be made available. Participants may walk in at any point and find a place to sit and pray alone or with other as they choose.
2:00 pm to the end: Studies and Prayer for Healing
What does the Bible say about healing in the atonement? Psalm 103:
Isaiah 53
I Peter
I John 2:2
Following this weekly search to continually increase our understanding of God’s word regarding health, we will pray for the healing of those who requests prayer.
7:00 – 8:30 Prayer Meeting
All welcome to bring needs and join in prayer for each other. JUST PRAYER. No study. TUESDAY EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING:
Three Day Retreats: $225.00 plus applicable taxes
Arrive: Tuesday 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Check Out: Friday 11:00am
Two Day Retreats: $150.00 plus applicable taxes
Arrive: Friday 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Check Out: Sunday 11:00am
Five Day Retreats: $375.00 plus applicable taxes
Arrive Tuesday 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Check Out: Sunday 11:00am
PROTOCOL AND POLICIES:
On arrival day, (Tuesdays and Fridays – 3:00 – 5:00pm) guests are encouraged to settle in and get acquainted with surroundings, with me (Patsy) and with each other. A light dinner will be served at 6:00pm on arrival day only. As stated above, guests must provide meals. Quiet time starts at 8:00pm on day of arrival and lasts for the duration of the visit. Reservation Information
Fee is based on number of days reserved (see above) and paid in advance prior to arrival. A nonrefundable $100 deposit is required to secure your reservation.
• Reservations may be requested for two to five nights,
• Check-in time is 3:00–5:00p.m.
• Check-out time is no later than 11:00 a.m. as stated above.
• Guests are responsible for providing and preparing their own food.
• Guests are responsible for leaving the house clean.
• There is no telephone at The Garden. Guest may bring cell phone, but are encouraged to use them for emergencies only.
• Guests must provide driver’s license or ID to be copied.
• Guests must provide emergency contact person.
• Guests are discouraged from bringing valuables. In The Garden provides shelter, comfort, and solitude. Bedrooms can be locked from the inside only. Here, there is no telephone, no internet, no computer, no wifi. Three individual guest bedrooms, a kitchen, dining room and sitting rooms/areas are provided. Guest are encouraged to leave a scrapbook page or hand-written notes about their adventure with God for the pleasure and benefit of future guests who retreat here. For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel;
In returning and rest shall you be saved;
In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.
~ Isaiah 30:15
Amenities at The Garden:
All linens and white towels are furnished. The home is centrally air-conditioned with fans and heaters in each bedroom. GRACE:
The front bedroom, called “Grace,” is furnished with a queen sized bed, love seat and an antique writing desk. MERCY:
The middle room, called “Mercy,” has a full size bed, rocker made by a Texas prison inmate and handmade teachers desk from the 1800s. PEACE:
This add-on room, called “Peace,” once my Mother’s real estate office, is now furnished with a twin size day bed, armoire, prayer bench and my grandmother’s dresser. The kitchen is equipped with an oven, stove, microwave, refrigerator, coffee pot, utensils, and dishes. Some basic items are provided such as salt, sugar, coffee, tea, and paper goods. Also on site are a picnic table, yard swing, patio with tables, and other seating arrangements. A security system provided by _______________________. While there is no guaranteed safe place on earth, the crime rate in Blooming Grove is very low. If you have any questions, please contact In the Garden at 903-875-8273 or email at [email protected]
