Christian Couples Retreat Center – Dr. Debi Smith | a brand-new plan for an old-fashioned experience in Orange County

Dare to Dream Again

Our Passion is the Love of Jesus.
Our Mission is to refresh and restore Romance.
Our Goal is an enriching and enjoyable experience.

Even if it’s been a while since you’ve experienced the Joy of Romance, we want You and Your Beloved to know this is The Right Place to be.

We’ll be here to help you enjoy Your Love as God intends it to be!

I know the plans I have for you. They will stretch you. They are stretching you now. My plans are for your good and the only way you will be truly happy. Trust me. You are more dear and precious to me than you realize. I put those desires in your heart, and I am the only one who can fulfill them. Walk closely to me. You cannot mess this up. You cannot even delay it when you become fearful because I’m at work in your anxious times, too. Do not let shame rule over you. Do not listen to those lies. I will turn your mourning into dancing. You will face challenges, and you will overcome them all. Watch me. Watch what I do next. You’re going to love this one!

Love,
Papa

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Imagine a Beautiful Getaway

From the moment you enter the Front Gate,
you notice a significant difference in the air.

Like a step back in History … to a Sweeter, Simpler Time.
A time when you first discovered Your Romance.

This beautiful 170-acre retreat center in South Orange County, California, is most often empty. Saddleback does hold a few short, half-day and one-day, events. However, this property was donated to them to be used, not to lie dormant. Don’t you agree?

And it won’t be a fleeting feeling.
As you partake of all we have to offer, Your Romance will grow.

Even if it’s been a while since you’ve experienced the Joy of Romance, you’ll instantly know you’re in the Right Place. Because we’re here to help you restore Your Love as God intends it to be!

I’m Dr. Debi Smith, a California Licensed Psychologist who is passionate about helping Christian couples and single adults learn to apply sound biblical principles and the findings of scientific research to everyday life.

The Dream Begins

At the time, I was thinking seriously about retirement. I was burned out, and waltzing away on a Hawaiian beach sounded much more appealing than anything else.

Then I asked The Lord what He had in mind for the rest of my life. I made several ambitious suggestions. At least they seemed ambitious to me. But each time I presented an idea to The Father, He replied,

“No. Bigger.”

One day in the spring of 2014, I was sitting in my car waiting to meet a friend for dinner. With time on my hands and no place to go, I pulled out my journal and started writing.

“You want ‘Bigger’?”
“How’s this for ‘Bigger’?”

My In-Your-Face Moment with God

As I sat there in the late afternoon sun,
I scratched out everything I could think of.

Then said, “How’s that?”

The Father simply smiled with pleasure and delight.
How does He do that?

Dining with friends a few months later, I learned that The Perfect Property already exists in South Orange County. It doesn’t belong to us, but we hang out there to pray. To listen for The Lord’s voice. So we’ve posted photos to help you visualize The Dream, too.

I’m happy to share with you The Dream that The Father gave me that day.

How it will happen only He knows.

Ballroom (Click to learn why it’s high on our list!)
Welcome Center, Bookstore & Gift Shop
Classrooms & Consultation Rooms
Honeymoon Suites
Prayer Garden
Restaurant
Chapel

“Twenty-nine years ago, our family gifted the Rancho Capistrano property to Dr. Schuller and the Crystal Cathedral as a place of spiritual hope and training, and since then, other generous individuals have sacrificially joined with us in continuing its work,” said Andy Crean, one of the Creans’ sons. “We are pleased to learn that ‘The Ranch’ fits the aggressive and progressive vision of Saddleback Church, and that their plans for ‘The Ranch’ facility will remain faithful to our family’s longstanding dream to provide spiritual inspiration and renewal.”

Click here to view the current Saddleback Retreat Center Schedule. NOTE: You will notice this link takes you nowhere. Because The Property is mostly unused. Regular church services only, with a sprinkling of Saddleback meetings here and there.

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Second Honeymoon

couples_retreat_center_honeymoon_suites Married couples who attend the week-long intensive will receive keys to their very own Romantic Honeymoon Suite … no matter how long they’ve been married!

Rooms will be luxuriously decorated
with Romantic Rose Petals,
a Sparkling Beverage,
and Simple Sweets.

Your “Do Not Disturb” sign is essential, of course.
All meals are included + one free Room Service.
And you won’t need to check out until 2pm!

How Sweet is that?

We’ll have additional lodging available for larger events.
for Couples’ Retreats. for Men’s Retreats. for Women’s Retreats.

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Retreats & Workshops

couples_retreat_center_classrooms When you attend one of our Retreats,
you’ll Learn about Love in our charming classrooms
designed with the old-fashioned flair of Sunrooms, Fireplaces, and/or Romantic Vistas.

If you decide on a Private Retreat,
you’ll have the option to meet with a trained Counselor
in one of our delightful Consultation Rooms.

The God of heaven will give us success.
We his servants will start rebuilding … NEHEMIAH 2:20

What do we plan to offer at the Couples Retreat Center?

Couples Intensive Retreat – 7 Days * Sunday thru Saturday Couples Assessment Books + Training Materials Lodging + Meals + Snacks Saturday Night Dance and/or Concert * Limited to 8 Couples		Marriage Retreat – 3 Days * Thurs, Fri, Sat Couples Assessment Books + Training Materials Lodging + Meals + Snacks Saturday Night Dance and/or Concert
Men’s Retreat – Friday Evening thru Sunday Morning * Your Identity in Christ * Understanding Yourself * The Beauty of a Woman Books + Training Materials Lodging + Meals + Snacks		Women’s Retreat – Thursday thru Saturday * Your Identity in Christ * Understanding Yourself * The Wonder of a Man Books + Training Materials Lodging + Meals + Snacks
Couples Workshop – Friday & Saturday Books + Training Materials Meals + Snacks (Lodging @ additional cost)		Private Retreat – Come and stay for as long as you & the Retreat Center have open! Lodging + Meals (Consultation @ additional cost)
Counselor Training – 4 Days: Wednesday thru Saturday Books + Training Materials Lodging + Meals + Snacks		Wednesday Night Bible Studies – for Men for Women for Couples

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SaveIf you just can’t wait, contact us now and we’ll come to you!
CLICK HERE TO SEND US A MESSAGE NOW

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Shall We Dance?

couples_retreat_center_the_ballroom It’s been more than a decade since I first dreamt of including dance in my work with couples.

dance_all_night Then by divine appointment one Sunny Sunday, I met the One-and-Only-Totally-Amazing Fred. (You may have noticed his photograph on each and every page of our websites and in all of our newsletters.)

He is the dearest and sweetest man I know and an Absolute Blessing to all who meet him! So together we launched the first of many Couples Workshops in the OC … and beyond!

Now it’s time we have a Ballroom to call our own. Read about all we have planned for this very fun aspect of our new Couples Retreat Center.

Why is The Ballroom high on our list?

dance_team — Our Original Dance Team: Great Fun! Great Friends!

Because we believe it’s incredibly important for couples to keep the fun in their friendship. And there’s no better way to do that than to dance together!

And because … a couple dance – such as a waltz – is the perfect example of what makes a romantic relationship work:

The man takes the lead, and the woman follows.
He guides and protects her.
She influences him, even as she admires him … and makes him look good to anyone who is watching.

Perfect. Absolutely perfect.

The Beauty of Victorian Dance

The Victorian Era was the last of the great Romantic times in history. Yes, it’s true that women didn’t have many freedoms … politically, socially, or physically (ever worn a Victorian corset?). And they had terrible dentistry practices!

But ladies were treated like ladies … by men who were gentlemen.
And that’s the first part we love.

Second, Victorian dance is elegant and easy-to-learn.
Anyone who can move can dance and laugh with us!

Third, men get to take the lead (without advice or criticism).
And women enjoy being treated like ladies. Can’t beat that in any era!

Finally, our easy-going style readily puts both men and women at ease … whatever their level of dancing skill. During the interval, guests participate in fun and surprising Victorian parlour games. Cool. Very cool.

First Dance at The Victorian Valentine’s Ball @ Newsong Church

Calendar of Ballroom Events

12th Night: Christmas Dance
* the first Saturday in January (singles and couples)
Valentine’s Cotillion
* Valentine’s Weekend (couples)
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
* March Weekend (singles and couples)
The Harvest Moon Ball
* October (couples)
Community Dances
* Quarterly (singles and couples)

Dress is “fancy.”
Comfortable non-skid shoes required!

Weekly Dance Lessons

Victorian-style set dances
Victorian couples dances
waltz
polka
mizourka
schotsche
Swing Dance
lindy hop
Salsa Dance
Zumba and Line Dances

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From the moment you enter the Front Gate,you notice a significant difference in the air.

Like a step back in History … to a Sweeter, Simpler Time.A time when you first discovered Your Romance.

And it won’t be a fleeting feeling.As you partake of all we have to offer, Your Romance will grow.

The Dream Begins

The Father simply smiled with pleasure and delight.How does He do that?

I’m happy to share with you The Dream that The Father gave me that day.

How it will happen only He knows.

How Sweet is that?

We’ll have additional lodging available for larger events. for Couples’ Retreats. for Men’s Retreats. for Women’s Retreats.

What do we plan to offer at the Couples Retreat Center?

SaveIf you just can’t wait, contact us now and we’ll come to you! CLICK HERE TO SEND US A MESSAGE NOW

Why is The Ballroom high on our list?

The Beauty of Victorian Dance

First Dance at The Victorian Valentine’s Ball @ Newsong Church

Calendar of Ballroom Events

Weekly Dance Lessons

From the moment you enter the Front Gate,
you notice a significant difference in the air.

Like a step back in History … to a Sweeter, Simpler Time.
A time when you first discovered Your Romance.

And it won’t be a fleeting feeling.
As you partake of all we have to offer, Your Romance will grow.

The Father simply smiled with pleasure and delight.
How does He do that?

We’ll have additional lodging available for larger events.
for Couples’ Retreats. for Men’s Retreats. for Women’s Retreats.

SaveIf you just can’t wait, contact us now and we’ll come to you!
CLICK HERE TO SEND US A MESSAGE NOW