My cousin attended the very first Indiana Conference Single Moms Retreat in 2001. She talked about the good experiences she had there. As a single mother then, I only had a knowledge of survival (street smarts) and abandonment issues from my past—no hope or money. I felt very alone. In 2003, my congregation and its much-loved elders made sure my two beautiful daughters and I went to the retreat. Vacation was never a part of our lives until that point.

What I remember from my mom's faith was isolation—no interaction with the world. The choice not to follow her faith meant losing my relationship with her in the public viewing. The other path I saw was my grandma's. She was living the best she could through a small community of believers of the Seventh-day Adventist faith. She gave freely to show her children and grandchildren the love of Jesus. I chose Grandma's faith to be a better path.

In 2003, I suffered from the disease of alcoholism. I was taught better than to be disrespectful. I never flaunted the alcohol at camp; I thought it was my secret and my medium to live. What I received at camp that year was love, the kind of love my grandma gave unconditionally—no matter what I smelled of or what shame and guilt I carried. God also blessed us with two ladies that year, Julie Loucks and Kaye Allen. God gave them compassion and ears—just the combination it took to water the seed inside me. Now, I just smile and remember the peace that was shared with us. A few years passed and I was given a program for my disease.

I was fortunate to pay our own way to camp this year. For a single mom, this was a joy. Julie and Kaye were always on the other end of the phone or letter as often as I needed them. They even took time out of their week to travel 200 miles for a special social dinner as my guests. I felt special.

As the years have gone by, with help from my God and all the help He sends me, I have successfully raised my two daughters. I will get married on January 1, 2010. I have completed a GED and I have gone to taxidermy school.

This year at camp I had both daughters with me. One is married and carrying my first granddaughter. The other daughter has her GED and is looking at a college for special needs. All of us have had daily struggles, but home is good, our relationship is good and our future is good.

Every year at camp we have felt welcomed and loved. It has been a privilege for the camp director, Charlie Thompson, and his wife, Trish, to share their life with us and to have them as examples—to have the privilege of watching all of their children grow. If you support the Single Moms Retreat, we give our appreciation to you. Without your help, our family couldn't have had this journey. Bless you all!

Lori Crawford is a pseudonym.

To learn more about the next Single Moms Retreat, call Julie Loucks at 317-844-6201.