Today My Life Begins

Oh boy...so this past weekend was the 2nd year confirmation retreat which is why I did not post anything, and then yesterday I was just way to tired to post a blog for it sorry haha.

I can not even start to explain how thankful I am for this past weekend, again it's one of those things that I can try to explain but you will never fully understand the feeling unless you see for yourself. All I can say is that this is one of the most amazing retreats ever! I mean I've gone on so many retreats you almost feel like you've seen it all, but then you see a group of  big tough guys that have been fighting us all year in confirmation classes, actually start to pray over each other and cry and hug each other and you just realize God will never stop amazing you. Every retreat has it's specialness to it but I really feel like this retreat was extra special for some reason.

Out of respect for the students and even peer leaders who I saw experience many things this weekend, I cant go into detail but I really did see miracles happen this weekend. It's always amazing to see the difference in people from the moment they step off the bus to getting back on the bus two days later as completely different people. Like the one thing I can say because it really does make me feel very happy and proud for what I do as a junior minister. When everyone became friends on facebook after the retreat you know I went on a few of the students pages and it's just hard to exlpain what it feels like to see that the day before retreat there post are so negative and cursing the world for everything and some even talking smack on the retreat they havnt been on...and then sunday night there post are 200% changed! Now they seem so much happier and excited for life, like they have a new found hope....I love it!

These kids give a whole new meaning to the idea of never giving up on a person hahah if any of you are reading this, you know I love you all but you honeslty are a stubborn group lol you all were soo sure you were gonna hate the retreat and it was hard to stay strong when most of you showed not only no interest but at times, some of you pushed us away HARD and with attitude. But again our faith and our hope of what you would hopefully understand is what kept us strong and we never gave up on you guys and we never will!

I'm so happy beyond words that the students really got something amazing out of this retreat. All the hard work and exhaustion and all nighters...they all dont matter in the end when all the students talk about how they had a great experience. To see them so thankful and happy, makes everything so worth it!!

I could literally go on FOREVER!! about how much this retreat ment to me and all the things I was thankful for but I'll save the little thankful stories for other posts haha....I have a feeling the next week or so of posts are going to somehow be about the retreat cause there is just way to much to be thankful for about it to shove it into one post so I'll spread it out more haha.

CHALLENGE: This is more for the people who went on retreat....Never lose what you found this weekend. Hold on to that feeling of hope and faith and love. Unfortunatley retreats cant last forever, and we have to go home and we don't know what exactly everyone has to go home too. Help each other stay strong, and remember you can always start again and God will always be there for you.