There are no retreats planned at this time.
Please check back again, as we always have something in the works.
If you would like to have a retreat in your area, please contact us.
Are you a bereaved parent who feels trapped in the darkness of your grief, especially with the painful reminders of everyday life? Or are you a bereaved parent who is weary from missing your child?
Then this come-away weekend is for you!
Come join us for a relaxing and meaningful time with others who get it. At Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) we know there will never be a time when we are “over it”, and our grief is behind us. But we can take intentional steps toward a greater measure of healing, allowing us to live life with hope, light and purpose again, not in spite of our child’s death, but because we want to find a way to live that honors his or her life.
Join GPS Hope founders Dave and Laura Diehl, for a weekend retreat in beautiful areas like the rolling hills of Iowa, or the beauty of Texas, where you will be encouraged to take off your masks, be yourself in your grief, and share your children and your journey together.
Just 
seeing such picturesque settings will make you feel like you are right where you belong. Getting up each morning with a cup of coffee and enjoying the beautiful outdoors will add to the tranquility of these beautiful places.
Your time away will strengthen you in all three areas of life, body, soul and spirit by
o Allowing your body to relax in a soothing atmosphere
o Receiving encouragement for your aching soul
o Give you a safe place that is free of any judgment or shame for you to explore where you are spiritually and to grow your relationship with God
Psalm 62:5 Let all that I am (body, soul and spirit) wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. (NLT) (Italics added)
You will also:
• Gain clarity on how to move forward in a way that honors the life of your child
• Get to know on a personal level author, speaker, singer and podcaster, Laura Diehl, and her husband, Dave (co-founders of GPS Hope)
• Walk away with life-long friendships of others who understand the issues of the death of one’s child
Another benefit is that you will be added to a special Facebook page, just for those who are attending your specific retreat. This way you can start to get to know each other before arriving.
Six meals are included, starting with supper Friday 
evening, and ending with lunch on Sunday before everyone heads home.
What does the schedule look like?
Arrival time on Friday varies, but is usually any time in the afternoon. After supper we have a relaxing evening, getting to know each other, and there is a short word of encouragement from Laura.
Saturday consists of a few set times for sessions taught by Laura and Dave, along with free time to go off on your own or chat with each other. In the afternoon, there is time set aside where the men will do an activity with Dave and the women will spend time with Laura.
Saturday night is a meaningful candlelight ceremony in honor of our children.
Sunday morning, after a relaxing breakfast, there is a final session with a very special closing ceremony. After a noon lunch on Sunday, we all say our final good-byes and head home, refreshed and strengthened.
Some of the possible sessions throughout the weekend might be:
- This Was Not in My Plan
- Grace in Grief
- Grief and the Enneagram
- Where is God in All of This?
It is important to note that music is woven into the weekend, as it is a pathway to the soul and can bring some much needed peace and healing.
The registration prices vary based on location but typically range around $325 per person or $550 per couple. Registration is first come first serve based on paid deposit.
A $50 non-refundable deposit per person is required to hold your place, with the rest of the balance due two weeks before the retreat.
(Note: this does NOT include transportation to and from the retreat. Please feel free to use the private Facebook Group to pool together for rental cars from the airport, etc.)
Click here to register
Details for traveling:
Address of the retreat will be posted here.
The closest airports will be posted here.
Cancellation policy:
• Up until 90 days before retreat all money except the $100 deposit is refunded
• Up until 60 days before retreat, 50% of all money, except the $100 deposit is refunded
• Unfortunately, cancellations less than 30 days will receive no refunds
