Think of (in)courage as a bit like a beach house. You can put your sandy, dirty feet on the coffee table, laugh late into the night with friends, and also hear God’s voice clearer than perhaps anywhere else. Life just feels more vibrant and real, as if you’ve stumbled upon a glimpse of heaven and it’s nothing like you ever imagined but everything you’d always hoped.
We drove up to the house in Hilton Head. We walked through the doors, explored the rooms, stood on the back porch and stared at the sea. The waves were like row after row of blessings sweeping into the shore. Thirteen (in)courage contributors spend the weekend at a real beach house.
And we thought of you–all the joy you’ve brought to us, wave after beautiful wave, this year.
We ate breakfast at a cozy bakery called Signe’s. We sipped coffee, laughed loud, and said “mmm, that’s good” over and over.
And we thought of you–how the words you leave here in the comments, the e-mails you send to us, are food for our souls. They encourage us, sustain us, remind us that you are why we do what we do.
We rode bikes on the beach thanks to LowSea Bike Rentals. Along the way we discovered starfish scattered in the sand. We rescued those we could and sent them soaring back into the ocean.
And we thought of you–how all of our hearts get washed up on shore sometimes, how community gets us back to where we belong, how we need each other and Him.
We sat on the back patio enjoying dinner from Soozi and Linda. The sun slipped lower and our conversation grew deeper. We finished the evening crowded on one bed, having a Skype conversation with Lisa-Jo and Ann who were on a Compassion trip Guatemala. We said prayers, shed a few tears, knew what it means to feel close even when we’re far apart.
And we thought of you–how we are always drawn back to you, how life is sweeter when we share it, how words stretch across miles and connect us.
We stood on the beach and captured the moment. We felt like sisters. The curtain between here and heaven felt as thin as the wispy white clouds above us.
And we thought of you–how we’re joined in forever kinds of ways, how worth it this God-sized dream has been, how much He loves us all to bring us together.
Wherever we go, we take you with us.
And wherever we are, a part of our hearts stay with you.
That’s the mystery, the beauty, of community.
Hilton Head brought to life what we already knew was real and true.
In that place, we dreamed about the future and all we could share with you.
And it seemed we felt the smile of God.
He was thinking of you too.
Does this make you want to go to Hilton Head too? It’s perfect for a family vacation or girlfriends getaway! We’ll even make it simple by providing you a weekend itinerary…
Friday
Arrive at your beach house from Hilton Head Rentals & Golf
Spend a lazy afternoon exploring the beach on bikes from LowSea Bike Rentals
Enjoy a cozy evening at home by arranging a catered meal from Soozi and Linda
Sit on the beach and watch the stars come out
Stay up way too late talking and laughing
Saturday
Stop by Signe’s Bakery for a yummy breakfast
Hop on a dolphin watching tour with H20 Sports
Wrap up the day with dinner out at the Aqua Grille and Lounge
Sunday
Sleep in
Walk on the beach and find starfish
Head home with a smile on your face and new memories you’ll keep forever
If you have more time to spend on Hilton Head, get in touch with the fabulous Visitors and Convention Bureau. They can help you plan even more amazing things to do!
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DaySpring and Hilton Head Island Chamber of Commerce hosted the (in)courage bloggers for a long weekend of dream and scheming, along with relaxation and fun. Hilton Head Island Chamber of Commerce generously provided the accommodations, bikes, a dolphin tour, and food Friday night. DaySpring took care of all the incidentals, Lisa Leonard bracelets and meals for each of the bloggers. We even got Gussy Headbands! Special thanks to Jessica Gardo from the Hilton Head Island Chamber of Commerce for helping coordinate our trip and being simply fabulous the entire weekend.
Have you ever been to Hilton Head Island? If so, what did you love about it?
Leave a Comment
Brooke K says
I’ve never been but my best friend used to go with her family every year. It was their special little getaway place. The beautiful pictures you posted made me want to go too!
Since my six month old’s hours are wacky, I’m operating on one hour of sleep right now so maybe I missed it — but I’m wondering where I can find the silver bracelet? Is that out yet?
Thanks!
Becky says
Hi Holley,
I’m so glad that time was so amazing for you all. I’ve never been to Hilton Head but your story and visiting your (in)Courage beach house make it seem as though I almost was there.
How cool it must be to have sensed the “smile of God” and to just know that you are making happen a dream of His.
I also would be interested in one of those God-Sized Dreams bracelets if they are ever made available. If they aren’t available now but are in the future, please let us know. As soon as I saw the photo, I thought “wow!” 🙂
Jamie says
I’ve never been to Hilton Head, but it looks like it might be worth adding to my list of “places to travel to in the future”. :0)
April says
I’ve never been to Hilton Head. It looks like such a beautiful place. What a wonderful time with the girls. Looks like you all had a great time of fellowship. I’m looking forward to hearing more from the trip…..more inspiration, more words of (in)couragement ;o)
Jenn @ Beautiful Calling says
Never been, never heard of it but it looks amazing, sounds amazing and, reading your words, I could almost feel part of it; love radiating off the screen 🙂
Sharon says
We have been going to HHI regularly for the past decade and love the peace and tranquility there. But several years ago I had an extra special trip in that I was recovering from a very serious illness. I spent many an hour laying in the edge of the surf and reveling in the feeling of the warm sun and water washing across my skin. Illness, pain and fear didn’t stand a chance in this setting.
Charissa Steyn says
So sweet. Wish I could be in America right now on a little vacation with my hubby 😉 Sounds delicious!!
Natalie says
Thank you for the post today. Remember that you are so blessed. That’s my dream to be involved writing for Him… encouraging and serving others .
In His Name…
Rini Ruth Hope says
I’m writing from Belgium so I can’t make it to the beachhouse but I do appreciate all the thoughts that stimulate and encourage global sisterhood! Keep it coming! Bound in Royal Sisterhood through our King, Rini
phyllis carey says
Hi Holly im glad you had a wonderfull trip you inspire me everday and on my worst day you in spire me moe thank you & may God always phyllis
Cindy says
Thank you so much for today’s thoughts. That is so neat you thought of us and how you expressed it in words and pictures. I have never seen a star fish on the beach, so I oohed and aahed when you wrote about many starfish!
Thank you, too, for helping us connect with sisters around the world. I like what Rini wrote – “global sisterhood,” and “Bound in Royal Sisterhood through our King.” 🙂
I have not been to Hilton Head, but I so like the beach, especially the Outer Banks! 🙂
God bless you and all of our sisters in Christ!
Pam says
I’d love to be there…. RIGHT NOW. Some discouraging things going on right now in my life that are closing a door to work where I’ve been for 26 yrs… not grieving the job itself (I’ve been ready for a LONG time to move on and use my writing for Him). But the way it is happening is so much warfare against me. I’m looking forward to a new chapter and God’s opening of fantastic new doors I have yet to imagine. So, I too, love that bracelet in the photo above and would love to have one myself! Thank you for all your encouraging words about dreams. It’s hard when you set out not knowing where the next job is…but I’m asking Him to open writing doors and looking forward to spending a lot of time writing and taking His hand in new direction that will bring joy and dreams that finally are beginning.
Arianne @ To Think Is To Create says
Pam, hugs for you as I know that warfare all too well. I will pray for you, because prayer is the only way through it, isn’t it? Against the battles not of this world, against he who tears us down. To put on the armor of God and be victorious.
God has such a beautiful journey ahead for you, just hold on for it. xoxo
DJ Macartney says
Hi Holley! Thanks so much for sharing your sister-weekend and for thinking of your readers! I am touched each day with memories and thoughts of the wonderful sisters in Christ I am blessed with. Having moved from where many of them are, I’ve learned that you need to plan these “Hilton Head” weekends on a regular basis to keep the sisterhood special. Our “Hilton Head” has been in many locations, doing many things, but always focusing on the Lord, his blessings, and each other. So thank you for the reminder that I need to work on planning another sisterhood weekend! Blessings! DJ
Deonda says
Dear Holley,
I’m actually going to Hilton Head this weekend to my cousin’s wedding. And, I haven’t written a comment for some time……God has been good and seen me through some dark days in my life!!! And, to get an email from you in the midst of all this, was beyond instrumental in bringing me through this last month. Only God could send me the exact words I need to hear through others whom I have never met !?!??! Keep up the good work!!!!Love, D
Tina says
Dear Holley,
Thanks for sharing your special time with us and for thinking of us in a special way with each thing you did together. Thank you to you and all the incourage bloggers for taking the step to persue your dreams of wanting to make a difference in women’s lives. We have all been very Blessed and touched by your dreams.
Because of you I have been inspired to start writing again and to be incouraged to take the step for my dream of wanting to write and be an encouragement to others through my writing. (Especially my poems) and to glorify the Lord through it all. Maybe someday my writings will become published as I so desire!
God Bless you all and may all your days be filled with a lot of God’s Love & Blessings and lots of bright Sunshine Even on the rainy days!
In Christ’s Love & prayers
Sis in Christ
Tina
French Paws says
Whaaaa whaaa…I know you made me in mind when you were at HH but it’s not the same as me being there sob,a sob, lol. The pictures were nice to see one day I will take a much needed vacation with my girlfriends. Thanks for inspiring me.
Blessings.
wanda says
I love seeing your pictures and dreaming that I’m there with you.
I wanna be friends too! 🙂
Pat says
Hilton Head Island is one of my favorite places in the world. We have traveled a lot, but HH is by far the best place to rest, relax, heal, and to be in God’s presence. It is such a beautiful setting and so peaceful and tranquil – something we all need in order to escape the “busyness” of our everyday lives. We had reservations there in August, but due to unforeseen curcumstances, were forced to cancel. We will definitely return there next year. You picked the perfect location to accomplish what you set out to do. Thank you for thinking of us and for sharing a part of your experience with us – it was as though you brought the island and God’s beauty and tranquility home to our hearts. God bless you for your inspirations and prayers.
Genia Horton says
Awesome, very awesome….something very special and magnificient happens when girlfriends in God spend time enjoying the creator and the creation, praying, playing, and discovering deeper truths with each other that forever change the friendships. I love it that we are all in the same family of God, and if not on this side of eternity, then for sure in Heaven, we will meet.
April says
this makes me want to go so badly!! one day i will make it to hilton head! sounds just fabulous!!! beautiful post and beautiful pictures!!
Meg says
Never been there but it looks amazing! Thank for sharing the lovely photos with us. And by the way, last night’s Twitter party was so much fun! Thank you for opening your hearts to us. We so appreciate your words, your humor and your encouragement!
Liz says
Great pictures guys. Sounds like a wonderful relaxing time.
I have been there before on a visit to some of my husband’s sweet relatives. So pretty.
He ended up getting into a gallery while we were there in Bluffton,
a small town nearby. We have been so thankful. I would like to go back some time to just relax. We were on a journey and it was mostly business. I did take a stroll on the beach.
grace says
What a beautiful place to be, thank you for sharing. I never been to HHI … wish I could go right now .. I know I need to go away to rest and take a quality time away with my husband and reconnect with him (which are much needed) but we are working on some issues right now … I pray that we will be able to take some time away like this in the future!
Mari says
I put on my sun hat & sunglasses, poured myself a glass of lemonade & sat in my favorite chair on the patio. I could feel the a nice Texas breeze & I thought about all the places you visited and the fun things you did at Hilton Head. Thanks for taking me on such an awesome journey. Lots of blessings to all of you.
Joy says
You took me out of my “daily grind” and into a very special week-end, it was wonderful to be transported to HH to get a glimpse of a very special place & the special time you had, thank you very much for sharing your week-end with all of us! We all need those “week-ends with sisters”. God bless each of you!
Chris says
Thanks for sharing Holley. The pictures and your writing make it seem like we’re there. I’ve never been to HH but have heard lots about it! Please let us know about the God size Dreams jewelry.
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