This past weekend I went on retreat with our post-college crew, "The Gathering." Honestly I can say that I hope there comes a time when I can go on retreat without being in school. The past three retreats I've attended have been during the semester, and as much as I enjoy the time "retreating," there is always the ever-lurking knowledge that I have a pile of work waiting for me that is as high as my eye-brows. That fact is still there even when I escape for a few hours. I have to admit that school is a pretty good stressor for me-after all the work is never really done, it just comes due. There are classes I tolerate, and classes I love. The intensity level is ramped up quite a bit-definitely moreso than I remember in undergrad. It becomes especially challenging to me to hear people downplay the work I had to do with "why don't you wait til later?" Believe me, I wish that could happen! And there will in fact come a time when I will not have these restrictions, and I'm so looking forward to it! So there is my bittersweet comment about retreating... If I had the chance to go back and rethink if I would go or not, I'd go. Even as I did homework in the morning it was great to put it aside at night and connect with people. Not to mention the scenery was lovely and breathtaking and an awesome display of God's handiwork. Lest you think I have nothing but complaints about homework, I'll assure you the trip was a good thing. I got to spend the weekend with some of the dearest people to me-totally worth going on retreat! I also enjoyed meeting some new people and spending time getting to know them a little bit better. The result of spending time with these people is that I'd like to continue spending time with them. For the friends I've had for a while-I'm so glad you're in my life and know that I value you and treasure time spent with you and hope to continue that for decades. For the ones I just met, I enjoyed hearing bits and pieces about you and seeing part of what makes you tick. I'd like to continue down this path we've started.
And I'd like to play board games and card games after doing awesome devotionals every single night until I'm 42! And even though I'll still be in school for the potential Winter 2010 retreat, I'm going to tell you right now that I plan on rocking the 2011 retreats!
