Taylor Chapel hosts Marriage Enrichment Retreat Published Sept. 12, 2013 By Staff Sgt. Laura R. McFarlane 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Five couples attended a three day MarriageCare Retreat Sept. 6 through Sept. 8 at the Event Center. The retreat provided couples time to focus on each other, renewing and revitalizing their marriage. Couples married for as little as four weeks or for as long as 20 years participated in the retreat. "The weekend is important for the military members because it really focuses on them and it allows them to develop some basic skills for furthering, strengthening and encouraging their relationship together and that's the whole idea," said 17th Training Wing Chaplain (1st Lt.) Matthew Gallo. "It's not about us, it's not about anybody else except for them and God." The purpose of MarriageCare is to provide couples an opportunity to enhance their marriage. "I think marriage is a very sacred thing, events like the MarriageCare Retreat helps better your relationship," said Shelby Lanier. "Or, if it's already good, make it even better because it's just a really special bond," For some, the retreat was a reminder of how things began. "It's kind of just a chance for us, going on seven years, to go back and think on some of the things that maybe we've forgotten," said Staff Sgt. Steven Shingledecker, 316th Training Squadron facility manager. For others, it was a chance to reflect on things they can change. "The retreat has helped me realize some of my short comings and how I can fix them," said Staff Sgt. Rebecca Shingledecker, 316th Training Squadron instructor. "It also helped me appreciate my husband more." Focusing on traditional wedding vows, the retreat offered four sessions during the weekend: "I, take you," "To Have and to Hold," "For Better or Worse" and "To Love and to Cherish." "Marriage is a really big and sacred thing and I don't think many people today think of marriage like that," said Army Spc. Travis Lanier, 344th Military Intelligence Battalion chaplain assistant. For Lanier, the retreat gave him an opportunity to see things from another view. "It's helped a lot," said Lanier. "Usually I'm working the retreat as the chaplain's assistant but it's different to actually enjoy it without working it. I received the full benefit of the retreat and found out what it's all about. It's really beneficial and I think it would have helped out a lot of people if they are more open minded to it." Shelby Lanier said that for her, the retreat has really opened her eyes to many things that she may not have known or maybe knew but chose to ignore. The MarriageCare Retreat began in the summer of 2008. Since then over 5,700 Airmen and spouses have attended retreats throughout the Air Force and over 99 percent say they felt their marriage was stronger afterwards.
