Blog submitted by guest blogger: Bonnie Gillen
“I sat down and tried to rest. I could not; though I had been on foot (car) all day, I could not now repose an instant; I was too much excited. A phase of my life was closing tonight, a new one opening tomorrow: impossible to slumber in the interval; I must watch feverishly while the change was being accomplished.”
-Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre
For many of us, this is a new “opening.” This is a beginning of new relationships (that may last well after this retreat), of lives changed, of new experiences and fond memories.
As the Volunstars prepare for the “big debut,” there is a constant feeling of excitement. This is THE big night, of course. The night when we FINALLY get to meet “our” families; families that up until now have simply been names and ages on a sheet of paper. We have done the grocery shopping, prepared their homes and waited anxiously to show them all they will experience.
11 families arrive at Oak Island First Baptist Church of Oak Island tired, apprehensive, excited and exhibiting a multitude of other emotions! Some have traveled by car (since 3AM today!) and by plane and are cautiously eyeing up the people with whom they will spend this coming week. Then comes the fun part…seeing their “home” for the week! Exclamations galore! Everyone is thrilled!

After the initial “hellos” we are then reunited for dinner. We enjoyed a delicious “pasta bar” dinner with Caesar salad, prepared and donated by Geoff and Heather Dye.  Geoff is an amazing chef and has prepared this meal for us every year.  Heather is the owner of  Klassy Konsignment, an awesome consignment shop on the island. We are so blessed to have the Dye family on our ‘Little Pink Team‘!

In the words of Jane Eyre, “A phase of my life was closing tonight; a new one opening tomorrow.”