Fall Retreat

This year's Fall Retreat was definitely one of the most memorable weekends I have ever had.

I thought I was lonely and that I wouldn't learn anything or grow any relationships....but life has never been better.

Firstly, I learned so much. I had to write down struggles and sins that I haven't given to God on a piece of paper and throw it in a fire, symbolizing giving the sin over to God. I wrote down several things, one of them being the struggle of putting other things before God, and not making time to spend in His Word.

It was hard to throw the paper in. I wanted to change, but at the same time I didn't. I didn't want to give up sleep or free time to read the Bible. It sounds terrible, but it is true. A friend was going through exactly this too, and by talking to her, it helped me see that throwing the paper in the fire meant that I knew the sin was wrong and I wanted to change.

Another friend shared on the last day his struggle with bitterness and anger at stuff that happened to him. As he was speaking I felt like he was speaking for me, he was saying exactly what I am going through in regards to my Dad and his abuse. It broke me down, for him and for me, but I was so encouraged to realize that I am not the only one going through struggles like that, and he knows exactly how I feel.

These moments with friends helped me in my own struggles but I also grew so much closer to a group of people as a result.
Coming to this retreat I thought I had very few friends, but Kari, Sarah, DQ, and Daquan are my friends. And more importantly, Jesus is my friend, my true lover, and my Good Shepherd.