God’s Call?
Last fall, I was browsing Facebook and the web looking for a picture of the Harvest Crusade for a power point presentation to accompany my testimony at a retreat. 20 years ago, I rededicated my life to Christ at a Harvest Crusade led by Pastor Greg Laurie. When Pastor Greg asked if we were ready to die tonight, I knew at that time my answer would have been, “No.” Even though I had accepted Christ as my Savior at the age of twelve, as a divorced single mom I had spent many years backsliding.
On the Harvest Crusade Facebook page, there was a picture of Pastor Greg Laurie, so I decided to “Like” his Facebook page and saw that he was speaking in Maui in May 2013 at an event called The Love Song Couples Getaway at the Grand Wailea in Maui.
The Love Song Couples Getaway sounded like a perfect way to celebrate and commemorate two major life events. The same night I rededicated my life at the Harvest Crusade, I also heard God telling me to rededicate myself to the godly man He had given me to date, Dave! I did, and we were married 6 months later. So it was not only the 20th anniversary of me rededicating my life, but also our 20th wedding anniversary, which we had talked about celebrating in Hawaii. And Pastor Greg was going to be speaking at the Getaway…this had to be God!
I presented all this to Dave and he said, no. I told him that Mac Powell from Third Day would be leading worship, along with Chris August and Leeland, but still he felt it was too extravagant. So I gave up the cause . . . until December when I saw that they were having a Christmas discount. I again approached Dave, and this time he was more receptive. Several days later, he booked us to go!
The Witness
I was able to witness to so many people about why I thought God was leading us to take this trip. I told them about rededicating my life to God at the Harvest Crusade twenty years ago and that Pastor Greg Laurie would be speaking at the event in Maui, which just happened to coincide with our 20th wedding anniversary. Then I told them about how I had broken up with Dave before the Crusade, but that night we had sat in his car hashing out our relationship until the parking lot of Anaheim Stadium emptied, and how I felt God calling me to rededicate myself to Dave. I told versions of this story to people at the grocery store, hairdressers, family, friends, friends’ of friends, strangers . . . anyone who asked where we were going on vacation! It became quite a testimony.
A Glimpse of Heaven
The trip seemed so far off when we booked it last December, but May 23 we took off for the best vacation of our lives! Imagine Mac Powell, Chris August, and Leeland playing worship music on the sprawling lawn in front of the Grand Wailea chapel with the soft sound of the ocean waves accompanying them, or watching a beautiful Hawaiian sunset while listening to a worship concert by one of these amazing godly musicians. Or listening to Greg Laurie or Pastor Jim Wright (from Oregon) talk about our marriage relationship and our relationship with the Lord.
We all wore blue wristbands for admission into the Love Song events, but the wristbands also allowed us to identify each other on and off the resort. We made many new friends from all over the United States, Canada, and Australia because when you saw the wristbands, you knew this person was “family” . . . the family of God.
It was a glimpse of heaven: a tropical paradise with amazing Christian worship music morning and night and fellowshipping with hundreds of Christian believers.
When they announced where the trip would be next year—back to Maui or Paradise Island in the Bahamas—Dave was one of the first to jump out of his seat to sign up for the Bahamas.
If you’re looking for a vacation that combines Christian teaching, worship music, lots of free time, a chance to make new friends, or just be alone in a beautiful oasis, we highly recommend this God-centered vacation. The young couple orchestrating Love Song Couples Getaway feels it is their ministry to provide outstanding Christian getaways for couples. Dave and I would agree they are definitely fulfilling God’s call!
Mac Powell of Third Day and me Getting a book signed by Pastor Greg Laurie
Our first day Making new friends
We were there too! We had a most FANTASTIC, SOUL FULFILLING, MARRIAGE LIFTING TIME! We have already booked our trip to the Bahamas for May 2014, we felt it was the best investment we could make…an investment in God and our Marriage. Those things combined are the center oof our big family! (we have 5 children)
Glad to know we shared that time together, even if we didn’t meet! 🙂
Anna
Hi Anna,
We felt the same as you. We also have a big family of 4 kids and 11 grandkids. This was the best vacation we have ever taken! We also signed up for the Bahamas so we’ll see you there. Are you on FB? We could be friends there until we meet next May. Every time we listen to our Mac Powell CD it takes us back to Maui!. We made some great friends who live in So Cal (we’re in Idaho) and just returned from a reunion with them. They are getting together every 4-6 weeks…
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We are able to vacation frequently in the Hawaiian islands each year, however, THIS trip outshined all trips. Not only was it held at an amazing facility it allowed us to meet and greet the music artists we listen to on KLOVE radio station. It also rejuvenated our relationship with each other and more importantly with God. It was refreshing, relaxing, restoring and so much more. Like your hubby, while Troy was discussing the Bahamas, my hubby was up at the table signing us up for “B”. True story about the blue bands and instant family, etc. We found ourselves looking for blue bands on and off the resort as well… and yes, it really felt like instant family. We made some great friends… same Australian friends, I bet 🙂
We are anxiously looking forward to another Love Song Getaway! Let’s meet up in the Bahamas!
Hi Rachell,
Look forward to meeting you in the Bahamas next year! Yes we met the couple from Australia and the sweet young couple from Canada. We just returned from a reunion in So Cal with 3 other couples, who are getting together every month to 6 weeks. We hope they’ll all come to Idaho where we now live for one of those reunions. It’s one of those experiences that it’s hard to do justice in words but I’m glad you enjoyed my humble attempt! See you next year!
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I have read all your posts and the Joy of making love last forever,the retreats in Hawai and Bahamas. Jesus. my dream is to come or go to one of those places. it appears here in Africa we are used to fasting only but not going to the beaches to have fun and yet still be spiritual:-)
Richard, I do hope you get to go and experience the beauty and the presence of God in His great creation, the beach. They did 80 baptisms in the ocean in Maui! God loves for His followers to be joyful as they worship Him. Jesus did so much teaching and preaching by the water. It truly was both a spiritual and a fantastic trip. We drew closer to God and to each other. Thank you for sharing your sweet comment.
Looking to book at one of the two venues. Is it pretty structured or do you have a good amount of time to yourselves? Are you required to attend all events? How many people are there? Is it pretty intimate? Would love to meet Mac Powell! Still trying to convince my husband!
Hi Amy, You have lots of free time and you can pick and choose what to attend. There’s morning worship with one of the musicians and a message on the beach each morning, two days had session with the main speaker and I think one evening and then there are optional evening events which do cost extra and some that don’t. There were about 600 people when we went last year…we all wear bracelets so you know who is with the event so that’s fun. But the resorts are big so it’s not just us. You can be as structured or unstructured as you want…it’s your vacation…it was amazing. I hope you get to go. It’s gotten so big that they’re now going to two venues so we’re going to the Bahamas this year. Mac Powell was amazing and a really great guy!
Last year was structured so that you have most of the day to enjoy your destination. There were optional events in the evening as a group if you wanted to participate. I would highly recommend attending. It is a powerful experience. Rejoice, restructure, renew, you will get out of it what you put in it. Go!
Well said Rachell!
Hello – we attended the 2015 Love Song Couples Getaway in the Bahamas. It was an absolutely wonderful experience to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We can’t wait to go back next year. I highly recommend this opportunity to everyone. You won’t be disappointed. God bless!
Yes, Ernie and I attend ended the Bahamas Love Song again this year. It was terrific. Ernie was able to give his testimony of the impact that Love Song event had in his life and our relationship. It was a difficult but necessary testimony. We are headed to Kaui’i event next year…. Hope to see you there.
Rachell we’ll see you next year in Kauai! Can’t wait:)
Yah!!!
Make sure we meet up. I know that Pete and Cindy will also be there. Good times ahead for sure.
Yes Rachell we were all talking to each other the morning after the computers went down in the Bahamas. My hubby had just said we should go to HI next year and then there it was. We’ll have some other Maui friends there too and you and I definitely must meet!!!
Janie, so glad you enjoyed your LoveSong Couples Getaway. We went to the Bahamas last year but took a break this year, but I just spoke in WY and had lunch with a sweet couple we met in the Bahamas last year and it turns out I was speaking at their church. We’re still good friends with three couples we met in Maui the year before. It’s a little slice of heaven to be fellowshipping and vacationing with brothers and sisters in Christ!
Janet – It really is a little slice of Heaven. I am trying to spread the word as much as possible! Rachell – my husband and I were very moved by yours and Ernie’s testimony. Thank you for sharing with all of us. God bless!