Impact Stories: Brianna L.

When I first heard that Raquel would be hosting a retreat, there was no doubt in my mind that I had to be there. I immediately applied for a scholarship and began sharing about the retreat with friends and family. I was thrilled when I heard that I had received a scholarship, but I knew I was still a long ways away from making the retreat a reality for myself. Being a single income family makes budgeting a bit tight at times. Although I had it in my mind that somehow or someway I was going to get where I needed to go, for both my healing and because who doesn’t want to meet Raquel?! I mean, for real! Knowing it would still be a challenge, I began a sub fundraiser. Over the course of six weeks I sold 125 sandwiches, and spent six hours delivering them to people. As I delivered door-to-door to friends and family I got to share more of my heart  and why I needed to go to this retreat and the healing that would come from it. As people paid for their subs, they also began to give donation after donation. I was simply in awe of the community that surrounded me. After the sub sale was complete and all donations were counted, I ended up being $300 short in making the retreat a reality. The only place I could think of to go was to church. I emailed my pastor and assistant Pastor. which has subsequently opened up a door to a relationship with them along with added healing and support in my journey with grief. Without hesitation, they sent money directly to Raquel to fulfill my spot. The retreat was more than I could ask for, I feel like I am still comprehending and healing and learning more and more about myself every day and the doors that the retreat opened up for me to grieve, although not grieving alone anymore. No matter how many hours of fundraising, or work, or emails sent it would take, I would do it all over again to be able to attend another retreat.