What does it really mean to retreat?

In this month’s episode, the entire Velvet Ashes team — Denise Beck, Danielle Wheeler, and Sarah Hilkemann — gathers for a behind-the-scenes conversation about the heart, history, and hope of Velvet Ashes retreats.

What started years ago as a simple experiment — an online invitation for women scattered across the globe to step away and meet with God — has grown into a sacred annual rhythm for cross-cultural workers worldwide. In this episode, you’ll hear how retreat first began, how it has evolved over the years, and why it continues to matter so deeply.

Danielle shares the heart behind this year’s theme: learning to recognize and respond to God’s voice. In a world filled with noise, fear, and competing messages, so many women ask: How do I know it’s really Him? This retreat gently and honestly explores that longing — creating space to sift through distractions, confusion, and doubt so we can listen more deeply to the One who is always speaking.

Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Velvet Ashes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Featured music is "Doxology of Mercy" by Eine Blume. Check out more from them on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠iTunes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or wherever you get music!

We are grateful to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnabas International⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for sponsoring this podcast! Barnabas is a member care organization that shepherds global workers and trains global shepherds. Learn more about them ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Want to go deeper with the Velvet Ashes community? Learn more about Friends, Circle and Inner Circle levels of membership connection here.

Register for this year's Listen Online Retreat.

What happens when everything that once defined you—your strength, your calling, your ability to serve—falls away?

In this episode of the Velvet Ashes Legacy Podcast, Denise and Sarah sit down with Joy, a former medical global worker and physician assistant whose life and ministry were radically reshaped after severe illness brought her fast-paced, highly productive life to a sudden halt. What followed was a long, painful wilderness season marked by loss, waiting, and deep questions about identity, worth, and God’s goodness.

This conversation is an invitation to anyone who feels stripped, sidelined, or unsure of who they are when they can no longer “do.” It’s a reminder that the wilderness is not punishment—but a place where God meets us with comfort, identity, and surprising goodness.

Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Velvet Ashes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Velvet Ashes on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Featured music is "Doxology of Mercy" by Eine Blume. Check out more from them on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠iTunes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or wherever you get music!

We are grateful to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnabas International⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for sponsoring this podcast! Barnabas is a member care organization that shepherds global workers and trains global shepherds. Learn more about them ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Learn more about the ⁠2026 In-Person Tuscany Retreat

That Sounds Fun Episode 1021

The Uninvited Companion: God's Shaping Us in His Love Through Life's Adversities by Scott Shaum

This month on the Velvet Ashes Legacy Podcast, Denise and Sarah open the episode with a joyful December check-in and a little book talk—because what better way to start a conversation than with reading rhythms and favorite formats from our community?

But the heart of this episode is something deeply special. Sarah sits down with her former professor, Rick Clark, to talk about the extraordinary life and legacy of his mother, Marian Clark. Marian grew up in Ecuador, returned as an adult to serve with creativity and courage, and became a faithful presence through radio, television, storytelling, and hospitality. Her story intersects with key moments in missions history, but it also shines in the quiet, steady ways she loved people and followed Jesus.

It’s a moving, tender conversation—full of rich history, surprising connections, and a beautiful reminder of what it looks like to echo God’s joy and faithfulness through generations.

Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Velvet Ashes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Velvet Ashes on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Featured music is "Doxology of Mercy" by Eine Blume. Check out more from them on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠iTunes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or wherever you get music!

We are grateful to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnabas International⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for sponsoring this podcast! Barnabas is a member care organization that shepherds global workers and trains global shepherds. Learn more about them ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Learn more about the 2026 In-Person Tuscany Retreat

Check out the Advent Mini-Advent

Learn about Marian Clark

The History of HCJB Radio

The new Velvet Ashes book, Yet We Still Laugh, is available on ⁠Amazon⁠ and ⁠Barnes & Noble

What if rest isn’t a reward after burnout—but part of how God designed us to live and serve?

This month on the Velvet Ashes Legacy Podcast, Denise talks with Nathan and Tricia LaGrange of Oasis Rest International—a ministry offering safe spaces of renewal for global workers around the world. 🌍

They share how God gave them a vision for helping others find true rest—body, mind, and soul.

Tune in and be reminded: rest is not selfish. It’s sacred.

Also Denise and Sarah chat about the theme of Table for this month, airplane etiquette, and more.

Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Velvet Ashes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Featured music is "Doxology of Mercy" by Eine Blume. Check out more from them on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠iTunes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or wherever you get music!

We are grateful to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnabas International⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for sponsoring this podcast! Barnabas is a member care organization that shepherds global workers and trains global shepherds. Learn more about them ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Learn more about Oasis Rest International

ServantCare

The Velvet Ashes Unplugged Retreat: Refuge in the Wilderness

The new Velvet Ashes book, Yet We Still Laugh, is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble

This month we’re welcoming a new theme song and diving into stories of resilience, refuge, and calling. Denise and Sarah share favorite cross-cultural kitchen gadgets (yes, rice cookers and electric kettles make the list!) and talk about creating safe spaces when home doesn’t always feel safe. They highlight upcoming Velvet Ashes events—including the Equip Conference and the Unplugged Retreat—designed to support global women in the wilderness seasons of life.

Plus, Sarah sits down with author Rachel Pieh Jones to explore the remarkable, challenging life and legacy of Italian aid worker Annalena Tonelli, whose work fighting tuberculosis and empowering communities in Africa continues to inspire.

Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Velvet Ashes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Velvet Ashes on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Featured music is "Doxology of Mercy" by Eine Blume. Check out more from them on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠iTunes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or wherever you get music!

We are grateful to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnabas International⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for sponsoring this podcast! Barnabas is a member care organization that shepherds global workers and trains global shepherds. Learn more about them ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Learn more about Rachel Pieh Jones

Rachel's book about Annalena, Stronger Than Death

Rachel will be speaking at the Somali Kayd Festival in London, England about Annalena's life and work on October 20, especially focusing on her work with the deaf community. Learn more here.

Learn more about the Equip Conference and our other resources at https://grow.velvetashes.com/.

Denise and Sarah kick things off with something lighthearted—our recent Instagram poll on pen preference. Yes, pens! Because sometimes delighting in the little things—like whether you love a bold gel pen or a fine-tip ballpoint—really does matter.

Then we’ll turn to something deeper as we hear Dawn’s story from Italy. She shares how God has been at work in her life and how attending the Velvet Ashes In-Person Retreat opened the door for her to say yes to sabbatical. You won’t want to miss this beautiful reminder of God’s invitation to rest and renewal.

We want to share more of your stories this season on the Legacy podcast! Do you have a story of a way you have seen God work? A way he has brought comfort or joy in a hard season? A cool answer to prayer? Email us at info@velvetashes.com if you are interested in sharing your story on a future podcast!

Sign up for the VA Monthly Newsletter

Check out the ⁠Re-entry Retreat⁠

Find out more about this year's ⁠Equip Conference⁠

Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Velvet Ashes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Velvet Ashes on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Featured music is "Daughters and Sons" by Eine Blume. Check out more from them on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠iTunes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or wherever you get music!

We are grateful to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnabas International⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for sponsoring this podcast! Barnabas is a member care organization that shepherds global workers and trains global shepherds. Learn more about them ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

List of people's favorite pens from our recent poll:

S-Gels

Zebra fine point

Sharpie fine tip

G2 .038

Pentel RSVP

BIC fine point ballpoint

Felt tip

Sharpie gel 0.38

Sharpie S-Gel 0.7

Papermate Ink Joy (many colors)

Bic Cristal Xtra Life ballpoint - blue

G2 (cheaper pens)

Lamy fountain pen

Pilot precise v5 RT 0.5

Sharpie gel pen

Zebra Z grip retractable

G2 gel pen

LePen

Clip Click Inc

Mr Pens

Bic click stick

Sharpie S-Gel .07 mm medium tip

Pentel black pens

Japanese Frixion pens

Papermate Profile

God has woven the language of story into the fabric of Scripture, inviting us into His grand narrative of redemption. And here we are, in the middle. The middle of our own stories, with all their beauty, brokenness, questions, and quiet miracles.

We want to share more of your stories this upcoming season on the Legacy podcast! Do you have a story of a way you have seen God work? A way he has brought comfort or joy in a hard season? A cool answer to prayer? Email us at info@velvetashes.com if you are interested in sharing your story on a future podcast!

Check out the Re-entry Retreat

Find out more about this year's Equip Conference

Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Velvet Ashes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow Velvet Ashes on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Featured music is "Daughters and Sons" by Eine Blume. Check out more from them on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠iTunes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or wherever you get music!

We are grateful to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Barnabas International⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for sponsoring this podcast! Barnabas is a member care organization that shepherds global workers and trains global shepherds. Learn more about them ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.