 | | Turtle Rock
The rustling leaves
whispering back to the innocent wind.
Reminiscing in a primitive tongue.
The scorching sun
painting our bodies a delicate red.
Explaining if it means anger or love.
The rippling water swaying to the rhythm of our touch.
Reminding us how to be young.
There are
too many ways for a man to lose his balance.
There are
too many ways for a boat to be tipped.
The alluring islands,
embracing their peaceful solitude.
Offering a place for laughter.
The swarming wasps gathering sweets to impress their Queen. Tempting us; conquering us.
The aging tree & Saint
welcoming our clumsy visit. Willing to harbor our youthful freedom. There are too many times we forget about our spirit. There are too many times we are distracted by machines.
- Allison Rothermel August 2008 |
Growing Your Own Food "I want to thank you for the wonderful day last Saturday. I returned home with an enthusiasm and new appreciation for the world around me that fills my senses and soul with delight. The gentle way you approach the earth and its abundance is humbling and healing. I wish that same opportunity for anyone who needs a soul-refreshing experience. A psychologist friend says that every encounter with other human beings is either for better or worse – that we either build one another up or tear each other down. My experience with you is that I am more the better for my time at Turtle Rock farm. I look forward to my next visit!!!" --Cheryl 
Individual Retreat "Paradise. Quiet as far as you can hear. Surrounded by an ocean of prairie, waves of grasses and wildflowers. Earth, sky—the sea of prairie—feel yourself breathe deeply again. The fragrance of fresh air.
I arrived at Turtle Rock Farm Retreat utterly spent in need of time, space, quiet. What I didn’t know—was how healing the infinite landscape of prairie—the limitless western Oklahoma sky—would be. As the quiet of Turtle Rock pressed against me I felt myself praying again, for the first time—in a long time.
Then again, maybe it was Ann’s care. Dropping by with produce freshly picked from her garden: tomatoes, squash, basil, potatoes. Or coming by for a cup of tea and conversation together.
Or maybe it was the drama of ranch life—there’s always something to observe: ranch hands moving cattle from field to field; countless barn cats darting in and round; the chocolate Labradors who accompany guests on walks, keeping them safe and entertained!
Or maybe it’s the panoply of wildlife—from armadillos, kingfishers, barn swallows, turtles, bobcats, horses, cattle, fox, to field mice." --Kay 
Earth Plunge "I want to thank you for the wonderful time my grandsons and I had this past weekend at Turtle Rock Farm. It was great to see the boys immersed in nature and enjoying every minute of it. They learned a variety of things: wheat harvesting, star and cloud gazing, wildflowers and on and on. The exposure to being outdoors all evening and for a whole day was marvelous.
Ann's delicious chocolate chip cookies and Maisy and Joe {farm dogs} were an added bonus.
As a grandmother I think Turtle Rock is a perfect place to make lasting memories with your grandchildren. My daughter said the boys seemed more excited than coming back from Disney World." -- Sandy
| | Growing Your Own Food "Eating a delicious homegrown lunch while getting acquainted with Ann and Pat was a highlight of the lcass. I left the class feeling that my soul was mourished, my body was nourished and my mind was nourished." -- Donna "I have talked about gardening for a number of years, but have never "gotten around to it." The enthusiasm shown by Ann and Pat, plus the fact that we built a complete garden in less than 5 hours was a motivating experience." -- Bruce Personal Retreat "Thank you for helping me to remember God's blessings - grace, love, compassion and creation. This time away has been restorative to my mind, body and soul. It has been a leasure and delight to meet you both. thank you for answering the call that was placed on your hearts to create a retreat center; the continuous impact is abounding in grace!" -- Stacie Experiencing the Spirit Within "In the midst of a chaotic, demanding life I have found an oasis in rural Oklahoma! Turtle Rock Farm offers a space to step out of my busy life to reflect and remind myself of what is truly important and purposeful. It is a sacred place because it connects me again with my creator and the creation." --Robyn "Turtle Rock Farm is a haven from the day to day hectic life we live. It's a step back in time where you can relax, experience nature and renew your relationship and spirit with God. It was a reminder that God wants us to live in peace and love." --Bev "This retreat helped us to better know God through nature." --Laura "Thank you for the wonderful opportunity! It was truly a gift to be able to slow down and find time to gather my thoughts in such a peaceful and blessed place!" --Brittany 
Simpler Living Retreat "I feel a renewed closeness to God and nature and to the part of myself that I want to see grow." -Betty
"This retreat helped me to remember old dreams of simple living. It also helped me to move forward toward the dream from spiritual reflection to a concrete 'next step.' Thank you for the grace of this day!" -- Trish
"On a rainy, cold, wintry day, we gathered and spoke from our hearts of what is really important to us and I realized again the deep wisdom of my father's adage: 'the best things in life are free' and we generated a warmth and community which will nurture me in the months ahead." -- A Retreatant
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