Winter Retreat 2012

  So...this weekend was really amazing. Like so freaking amazing that I can't even describe it. But for your sake, I'll try my hardest to describe an accurate picture. 

  For those of you who don't know, this weekend I went on my first Winter Retreat. And for those of you who who really don't know, the Winter Retreat is a retreat that my youth group at my church goes on once a year to encounter God and to grow in Him. And for those of you who are absolutely clueless, " youth group" is a group that takes place once a week at my church with only teenagers. We worship God, listen to teachings, etc. 

  This year was my first time at the Winter Retreat. I am completely and totally happy that I decided to go. Here's my experience: 

  Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start. (Ahaha, do you like that use of The Sound of Music?!) Anyway, we all had to be at church by around twelve in the afternoon. Everyone packed up their luggage, and picked a car to ride in. I rode with two of my best friends, Soriya and Rachel. The ride up was really fun. Also: I deserve to brag about this because I totally beat everyone in holding my breath all the way through a really long tunnel. WOOT! IN YOUR FACE! (Sorry, just had to get that outta my system) 

  So, we got to the Poconos after three and a half hours. The place itself was pretty awesome. We found our cabin, unpacked, and just hung out. 

 And then...then we had our first dinner. 

  I have no idea what I was expecting. Maybe I was expecting to be served like Katniss while she was at the Capitol---but that's totally NOT how it was. The very opposite, to be exact. The food was awful. Now, other people may disagree, but I'm totally spoiled because my mom cooks homemade meals pretty much every day. So, yeah...I guess you could say I'm sort of picky. But there's just something about total stranger plopping globs of food on your plate and eating it. And if you find a hair in one meal(like I did) it's even worse. Maybe that's why I didn't eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner on Saturday. So yeah, i didn't like the food, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS POST IS ABOUT.

  Alright, back to the topic. Sorry to get all worked up. So where are we? 

  Oh right, I just finished talking about the food. Anyways, after dinner, every teenager filed into the main meeting room for worship. 

  Worship was fantastic. Seriously--that was definitely a highlight of the week. You could really feel God's presence there. So many kids there were so passionate about worship that it was just amazing. Hands were raised in the air, so many of the kids singing their hearts out. Pretty epic:) 

  After worship, our speaker Robby Dawkins shared his first teaching. To say the least, Robby is amazing. I could listen to him teach forever. You can just tell that he can totally sense the Holy Spirit and has a great relationship with God. That alone is just so freaking awesome. 

  Throughout the weekend, Robby spoke on power evangelism. Every story he shared was powerful and sometimes really hilarious. I mean, the guys goes to the most dangerous spots and is basically like, "Can I pray for you?" And the mind blowing part is, is that most of the people he prays for get healed. 

  When he was done teaching, he has kids pray for other kids. And what I really realized is that you don't have to be an pastor to heal people through God. You don't even have to be an adult. 

  Putting that thought into action, I prayed for several people that got healed. One girl I prayed for had a sprained jaw that was really painful, and kept popping. She was really stressed out because she was helping lead worship in two days. So I prayed for her three times: And just like that, God healed her. There was no more pain. 

  After the meeting, we all went to our cabins that aren't exactly super clean or nice. But it was enough for me. We went to sleep quickly at around 2:30 and woke up at seven twenty the next day. 

  The rest of the weekend went really well. It closely followed the plan of the first day, only we had workshops and lat night worship. 

  Workshops went really well....And, er, part of it was hilarious: Casey Duzan. I don't really think I need to explain myself any further. Well, let's just say that apparently he really likes artificial fur;)

  Late night worship was really great too. Amazing, actually. So powerful...So awesomely powerful! 

  So, we left around noon-ish on Monday. But--before we left Kyle decided to have a piggy-back-ride race, so we did that. And then Casey pushed Soriya and me down. Grreeaaaaattt idea. 

  Anyway, it was sad to leave, but I think I cried for joy when I saw a steaming, delicious pile of homemade pasta sitting in front of me when I got home. But, the trip was amazing. Here's what I got out of the trip: 

1. My relationship with God is right now stronger than it ever has been. 

2. I learned that kids can make a difference. A big difference. 

3. I learned that God has the power to allow me to heal people through Him

  I also got closer to my friends, which was really great. 

  Now, just to clarify, I'm not saying that now I'm perfect or anything. Or that I'm this ultra-strong Christian that never wants to have fun, and will never ever break rules or complain again...Because I know that no one can ever be perfect. It's impossible. What I'm saying is that through God I fell more at peace, stronger, and more able. 

  This was a life changing trip. I will never look at God the same way again. <3