GPS Hope & Healing Retreat for Those With Child Loss

Are you a bereaved parent who feels trapped in the darkness of your grief, especially with the painful reminders of everyday life? Or are you a bereaved parent who is weary from missing your child?

Then this come-away weekend is for you!

 

Come join us for a relaxing and meaningful time with others who get it. At Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) we know there will never be a time when we are “over it”, and our grief is behind us. But we can take intentional steps toward a greater measure of healing, allowing us to live life with hope, light and purpose again, not in spite of our child’s death, but because we want to find a way to live that honors his or her life.

 

Join  GPS Hope founders Dave and Laura Diehl, for a weekend retreat in various places around the nation, where you will be encouraged to take off your masks, be yourself in your grief, and share your children and your journey together.

 

 

Your time away will strengthen you in all three areas of life, body, soul and spirit by

o Allowing your body to relax in a soothing atmosphere
o Receiving encouragement for your aching soul
o Give you a safe place that is free of any judgment or shame for you to explore where you are spiritually and to grow your relationship with God

Psalm 62:5 Let all that I am (body, soul and spirit) wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. (NLT) (Italics added)

 

You will also:

• Gain clarity on how to move forward in a way that honors the life of your child.

• Get to know on a personal level author, speaker, singer and podcaster, Laura Diehl, and her husband, Dave (co-founders of GPS Hope).

• Walk away with life-long friendships of others who understand the issues of the death of one’s child.

 

All meals are included, starting with supper the first evening, and ending with a hearty brunch on Sunday before everyone leaves. We have a special cook who comes to all  our retreats to make the food and serve our special attendees delicious meals.

 

What does the schedule look like?

Arrival time on the first evening varies, but is usually late afternoon. We have a relaxing evening with supper, getting to know each other, and there is a short word of encouragement from Laura.

The day(s) consists of a few set times for sessions taught by Laura and Dave, along with free time to go off on your own or chat with each other. In the afternoon, there is time set aside where the men will do an activity with Dave and the women will spend time with Laura.

Saturday night is a meaningful candlelight ceremony in honor of our children.

Sunday morning, there is a final session with a very special closing ceremony and a brunch before we all say our final good-byes and head home, refreshed and strengthened.

Some of the possible sessions throughout the weekend:

• This Was Not in My Plan
• Grace in Grief
• Parents in the Bible Who Lost a Child
• Where is God in All of This?

It is important to note that music and times of worship are woven into the weekend, as it is a pathway to the soul and can bring some much needed peace and healing.

 

TESTIMONIES FROM PREVIOUS RETREATS:

• My favorite part was being together and being able to open up. You get to learn that you are not alone. ~Jeff
• The whole weekend really blessed us and is giving us the strength to walk thru our daughter’s 2nd anniversary. ~ Kristin
• When I got here I wasn’t too enthusiastic or optimistic about coming, but I am so thankful for y’all and this weekend. It ministered to me. ~ Salvador
• I loved spending time with other pareavors, especially in a Godly setting. ~ Val

 

There is a set registration fee, and a separate fee for accommodations, based on the room chosen. Rooms are first come first serve, based on payment.

 

(Note: The registration fee does NOT include transportation to and from the retreat. Please feel free to use the private Facebook Group to pool together for rental cars from the airport, etc.)

 

OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE SPONSORS COVER THE RENTAL COST OF EACH VENUE, ALLOWING US TO CHARGE A SMALL ACCOMODATIONS FEE. IF YOU KNOW OF ANY COMPANY THAT MIGHT BE INTERESTED, PLEASE CONTACT US AT office@gpshope.org.

If you would like to have a retreat in your area, click here.

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Upcoming GPS Hope & Healing Retreats

Long Island, NY  3 day, 2 night Retreat

The Watermark Hamptons, Eastport, NY
Date: Friday Oct. 3rd to Sunday Oct 5th.

The Watermark Hamptons, where luxury meets tranquility in the heart of one of the most coveted destinations on the East Coast. Nestled amidst the pristine beauty of The Hamptons, this estate offers an unparalleled experience in a serene retreat.  It is a great place to get away with other parents who have also been thrown on this unwanted journey of child loss. With such a small, intimate group, you will be able to laugh together, grow together, yes cry together, and receive a measure of healing together, emotionally and spiritually.

This retreat will be extra special as
Dr. Doug & BJ Jensen
of Healing Hallelujah Ministries
will be joining Dave & Laura

Dr. Doug and BJ Jensen are the bereaved parents of Jodi Joy and John Jay. Their son, Jay, died by suicide 30 years ago at the age of 30. In the wake of his death, Doug earned a Doctorate in Biblical Studies with a focus on Biblical Counseling — fulfilling Jay’s dream of helping those struggling with addiction. In her grief, BJ began composing songs for the bereavement community.

After the loss of two children, three failed adoptions, and the deaths of three siblings, the Jensen’s turned their Unbearable Misery into an Unshakable Ministry, founding Healing Hallelujah Ministries to offer hope, help, and healing to hurting hearts. As international speakers, they share with honesty, warmth, and humor — always with a heart of compassion for the bereaved.

BJ is also the founder of the internationally traveling Love in Motion Signing Choir in San Diego, where she served as Director for 32 years. Both Doug and BJ are Song Signing Artists, bringing music to life visually through American Sign Language.

Retreat Particulars

Friday night arrival and registration will be from 4 to 5:30 pm with dinner at 6.

Thanks to a donation from the Blessed by E! foundation,  the prices below are all-inclusive for the entire weekend.  Here are your options…

• COUPLES ONLY – King Suite – Early bird price $225 ($295 after July 31st) – 4 spots left
• MOMS ONLY – King Room with shared bath – Early bird price $170 ($205 after July 31st) – Only 1 spot left

Click here to fill out a registration form 

Details for traveling:

Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) –  30 minutes
John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) – 1 hr. 30 min.
LaGuardia International Airport (LGA) – 1 hr. 30 min.

 

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“Renew & Remember” Retreat

Best Western Cocoa Beach
Coco Beach, FL
5600 N. Atlantic Avenue
Coco Beach, Florida 32931

​February 21-23, 2026

This retreat is a little different than our typical GPS Hope & Healing retreat as it is a retreat offered right before
the Grief Cruise.  You do not have to book the cruise to attend, but is offered in addition to the cruise.
Enjoy an extra two nights with our cruise grief team,
including Breakfast and Dinner, Activities and Sessions.

Cost to Participate
$200.00 per person plus Hotel and Transfer Expenses

​Soak up the sun on the beach and relax!
The cost of the retreat fee is in addition to the cost of the hotel and transfers

Click here to fill out an inquiry form.

for the retreat, cruise or both.  Lin will contact you to answer your questions

Please secure your hotel room as soon as possible to get the group pricing.
See hotel details below: 

 

Click here to fill out a inquiry form.

(for the retreat, cruise or both.  Lin will contact you to answer your questions)

 

Details for traveling:

Nearest Airport:

Orlando International Airport (MCO)  50 minutes

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Questions or problems registering? Click here.