It’s my favorite weekend of the whole year. And it’s something that I’ll never be able to express in words. Fall Retreat happens every year around this time and I’m always better for it. If you can believe it, this was our NINTH fall retreat! That makes me feel a little old and also baffled. Because every year, God does something JUST as memorable, just as incredible, just as awe inspiring.

I’ve gushed quite a few times about what that weekend means to me. It’s the place that my life changed forever. It’s where I met David, where I saw my sister be changed by the grace of the Gospel. It’s the place where countless students have given their lives to Jesus. The camp grounds themselves are special because we’ve been going there for so many years…but really it’s just the fact that God shows up every time. He proves Himself undeniable in the hearts of the people there. Through the stillness, the joy, the masterpiece of stars in the sky. He’s just there and it’s really beautiful to be a part of.

This year was completely unique, but also no different. Lives were changed, community was formed, joy was shared. Many students expressed finding their “people” and their home away from home as a college student. Many shared that they felt accepted and close to God for the first time in a long time. Some finally started to understand God’s great love for them. Personally, I was challenged and refreshed, in awe of Jesus all over again.

There was one really special moment that I’m hoping to hold onto for awhile. On Saturday night, the students were sent out onto the grounds to spend some time alone with Jesus. One of our directors, Jake, told them to go out and see the stars. I inwardly groaned…we’d just been outside, there were no stars in sight. And yet, when we walked out of the main meeting room, the sky was lit up. The clearest starry night I’d seen in years. A shooting star. It was awe-inspiring.

Hope you enjoy a little glimpse into the other half of my life. I love these students. I love their weirdness and the fact that they can be totally themselves when they’re together.

This just cracks me up. I let Jaelyn use my camera for a bit and I got some glorious gems like the one below out of that time.

Ollie came along and got loved on by EVERYONE!

Do you recognize the two on the right? ;]

Main meeting number one is always so fun! Everyone’s so excited to be there!

Curt Allen spoke to us all weekend and it was so good.

Just like a wedding really :] They pulled out all the classics for the Hoedown Throwdown dance party on Friday night.

Oh yes. Some cuteness from the ladies and the usual weirdness from the boys during breakfast.

One of the most peaceful times of the weekend is when we send the students out to spend time with God. They get the chance to spend time in quiet, journaling, praying, worshipping, reading.

I may have gotten a little distracted in documenting whenever Ollie came around :]

And these cuties :]

Another favorite is men’s and women’s time!

And free time!

The students get homemade food the entire retreat and this year, all of our volunteers were alumni! It was so fun to have college friends in the kitchen serving the students!

Ollie spent a lot of time snoozing on friends.

After the glorious star lit sky and some amazing time in worship, we head to the massive bonfire. Our staff men take great pride in this.

As you can see, it was quite hot…

I always facilitate the game assassins throughout the weekend. And this year, we had an epic showdown.

Jake wrapped up our time on Sunday morning.

One of my favorite spots at camp :] The stone wall I sat on the first time I can remember praying, just hoping that God was there listening.

And my real favorite spot. The totally unglamorous path between the volunteer cabins and the restrooms. The spot where I gave my life to Jesus.

Here’s our crazy freshmen!

Sophomores!

Juniors!

Seniors!

And our staff team :] These are my coworkers! There’s a lot of us and it’s so fun!

In true form…

Hope you enjoyed this recap :] If something I said about Jesus or spirituality sounds interesting or confusing or anything really, I’d love to chat about it with you and share my story!