“Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road…”
— Luke 24:32
From Head to Heart: My Walk to Emmaus Experience
Not long ago, I was dropped off at the Wheatland Convention Center in Flagler, Colorado, on a day bathed in golden fall light. My husband had gone on his Walk to Emmaus just the week before, and ever since, he’d been bubbling with anticipation—eager for me to experience something he described as life-changing.
As he pulled away and I looked up the quiet street of a town so small it doesn’t even have a traffic light, I sensed it in my spirit:
A space to slow down, breathe deeply, and begin the journey from my head to my heart.
Coming With an Open Heart
I arrived unsure of what to expect but open to whatever God wanted to show me. From the moment I stepped into the space, I was met with warmth, kindness, and the unmistakable presence of Christ in every face I encountered.
The path was unknown—but I was ready to walk it – Pic credit @raechalfriess
As the 72 hours unfolded and the mystery of the weekend gave way to holy moments, I could feel something within me begin to shift. My heart softened. I began to release burdens I didn’t even know I was still carrying—barriers that had quietly stood between me and the full light of the Spirit.
A Quiet Work Within
Each talk felt deeply personal, meeting me right where I was. Without the noise of daily life, space opened up for God to do quiet work in me—work I hadn’t realized was still needed.
There were tears. Laughter. Deep conversations. And profound connections—both with God and the women around me. One by one, the sessions gently led us into spaces of self-reflection, healing, and a renewed call to walk in discipleship.
Sue, my spiritual mom, and Abigail, my daughter—God wove our stories together in this sacred space Pic credit @raechalfriess
By the final day, something in me had settled. I felt grounded. Alive. Reconnected to who I am—and whose I am.
I’m Not Walking Alone
One of the most powerful truths I walked away with was this:
I am not walking this journey alone.
The presence of God.
The support of others.
The prayers and love surrounding me.
These are the things that reminded me who I am and what I’m called to.
I left that weekend with a refreshed spirit and a holy flame in my heart—one that God had rekindled, and one I now feel called to carry forward.
Carrying the Flame Forward
This experience was more than a retreat—it was a homecoming. A return to myself, to God, and to the mission that’s been quietly burning in my soul all along:
Walking with women who are healing, seeking, and asking, “What’s next?”
If you’re in a season of transition…
If you’re carrying burdens you haven’t yet named…
If you’ve felt disconnected, spiritually weary, or simply longing for more…
I see you. I’ve been there.
And I’m here to walk with you.
Whether through spiritual direction, sacred listening, or simply sitting together in the mystery, What’s Next Life Coaching exists to hold space for women like you—to help you reconnect with your soul, your story, and the God who loves you more than you know.
Back in the place I started—carrying the flame forward – Pic credit @raechalfriess
Thank you for letting me share this sacred part of my journey.
I’d be honored to hear yours, too.
Let’s light this fire. 🔥
De Colores,
Raechal Friess