Camp

Wow. Camp was simply amazing. There may not be words to describe just how amazing it was.
Before leaving I was kind of a nervous wreck and I was amazed to see all the encouragement from those around me. (i was walking through walmart the day before leaving andI have never had so many people say "Hi'' to me or smile at)
Chaos is just not my thing and while that is exactly what most of the camp was it was also a huge growing experience and a major encounter with God.
I was blessed to share this experience with some friends as we grew and bonded over the weekend. I wish I could recall each and every moment because I don't think I have ever laughed, talked, yelled, or cheered so much in my life.
The services were amazing and there was such a power in praying with and for each other. Every time we joined hands to pray I felt so connected. I found myself praying with and for different people throughout the weekend which was definitely a stretch of my faith but it also really changed my heart.
Monty Hipp did a great job of bringing God's word and I know there were many testimonies from the weekend. I was really praying God would speak to me on forgiveness and I was blown by how He did just that many times over the weekend. I think a lot of people were really challenged to stand up and be the example in their home situations as well as not becoming complacent with where they were at in their walk with God.
I am not really a competitive person so I wasn't extremely into the games but I did find myself yelling and cheering on my team mates. I think I surprised myself and little and the other people on my team. Pink team did come in last place but the experience was totally worth it.
God has really shown me love and happiness these last few days and coming home my heart is still experiencing that. There are some things I am working on changing because I want to move forward in my walk with Him and I don't want to let my hinderances hold me back.
I don't know what adrenaline and energy source I was running on at camp but when I got home yesterday I crashed. I think I fell asleep around 5:30 and when my parents woke me up an hour later for dinner I remember laying in bed and my head just felt empty....I couldn't remember where I was or what I was doing. I managed to eat about half my dinner before crawling back in bed and sleeping till 8am. One would think that 14 hours of sleep would be enough to refuel but I have already had a 2 hour nap today as well. Just trying to make it through.
This is all to say that no one in life is perfect but when we choose to live through Jesus we can live a happy and worth while life. :)
Thanks to all the people who made this camp so memorable!
Special thanks to Hona and Heather for stepping up to the plate and leading the team. You guys are changing lives by the wisdom and love you are willing to share at each and every moment.

retreat

Wow. I haven't even posted about retreat yet. I guess I can fix that. :)

I had such an amazing weekend with friends and God. I can't even begin to put into words what God is doing in my life. I was in awe of how all the services seemed to connect and how applicable they were.

The bus ride down to the campgrounds was definitely a crazy one. I don't think the bus driver could have drove any faster through the hills without flying. No idea how fast she was going, just thankful I didn't loose my stomach.

After dinner and service they stuck us all in the chapel for late night games. Now, I could be wrong but I don't think that chapel is made for 200 students plus leaders to play games in. Thats not to say we didn't all fit, it was just a little more cramped than usual.

We also had day light savings time while at camp so that seemed to complicate things just a little bit. We were all in bed at 11:30 on Saturday, but really is was 10:30. So all the girls were laying in the bunks giggling because they were still hyper.

Somehow on the bus ride home we gained an extra person riding back and there weren't quite enough seats. So Hannah and I, both of us being little, volunteered to both ride in the last seat of the bus that is just a little shorter than all the rest. If two "normal" size people had tried that it probably wouldn't have worked. Lucky for us, we fit perfectly.

Through this journey I have been on lately through Fine Arts and all I have made a new friend. I was so glad Hannah was able to come to retreat :) We were buddies all weekend and I am super glad I got to hang out with her.

Pink team didn't come anywhere close to winning but it was fun to get away from all the distractions and seek God along with the fellowship of friends.

Some memories were definitely made even though it was a cold and wet weekend. Just goes to show that God can show up anytime and anywhere.

I am sure there is more that I am forgetting, in fact I know there is. Sometimes its just hard to put into words how great God is and all that He is doing.