Welcome to Serenity Nature Retreats
Discover the transformative power of nature and healing at Serenity Nature Retreats. We believe in God and in the healing energy of the great outdoors and the guidance of a licensed professional counselor.
Take this opportunity to reconnect with nature, explore your inner self, and find peace amidst the tranquil surroundings. Our retreats are designed to support your personal growth and provide a safe space for self-reflection.
Leave behind the stresses of everyday life and immerse yourself in the serenity of nature. Whether you're seeking solace, personal development, or a break from the chaos, Serenity Nature Retreats offers a unique experience tailored to your needs.
Kimberly Shultz, LPC - MHSP
The Story Behind Serenity Nature Retreats:
Time for a little time-traveling back to January 2010...
While on our anniversary trip in Gatlinburg, TN we took a drive through Smoky Mountain National Park to Cades Cove, God gave me a vision of doing retreats out in nature in the mountains.
I was still in Grad school to become a therapist and had no desire or plans of ever working for myself, much less doing anything like a retreat. Originally, I never even wanted to be a therapist! I had never been to a retreat and didn't know they even existed.
In this vision, I was flooded with ideas, images, and even given the name "Serenity." I was scared to death, as I had never experienced anything like this before. I wasn't sure what to make of it all. I'm an introvert, usually quiet and I was very shy. I remember asking, "why me?" and immediately being led by the Holy Spirit.
I told my husband we needed to leave Cades Cove as I was being led to go into town, I was then led to a store in town which happened to be a Christian bookstore. I was then told, "Wait...wait for that woman to move...now pick that up." It was then that I picked up a bookmark with the verse Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you, plans to give you hope and a future."
As you can imagine I'm really freaking out now. We walked around town, and I was still being flooded with very clear images and ideas. My husband didn't understand what was happening either and said, "I'm not religious at all and even I can't deny what's happening”. I was overwhelmed and exhausted, I told my husband that we needed to go back to our hotel, and he said "Yes, I want to look up that verse." He picked up the bible in the room and said, "you won't believe this, it's underlined!" I never thought God would continue to show me his plans, in fact, I hoped he wouldn't.
Years went by, and I thought he was done with me as I hadn't been shown anything else.
And then in 2018, I attended my first retreat at Deer Run led by the amazing and wonderful Dr. Ted Klontz. It was then that all my memories came flooding back and the vision returned to me. I was immediately filled with anxiety again as I realized that the very retreat that I was at was very similar to what I was shown to do in 2010. Then at another one of Ted's retreats, I was talking to one of the men there and he looked at me and said "I keep getting the word "Serenity" does that mean anything to you? I was shocked and told him my story, God kept giving me bread crumbs.
I knew then that God's plan for me was still unfolding...
Well, here we are 14 years later, and God still gives me pieces of the puzzle of his plan. I successfully hosted 3 amazing retreats in 2023! I am no longer filled with fear, I am no longer shy and afraid to talk to groups and do retreats, I am now filled with Gratitude and excitement to see what's next!!!
This is only the beginning...