I was assigned to a bunk full of guys and there was plenty of eye candy this weekend.

This weekend, I went to the Georgia Wesley Student Movement, held this year at Epworth By The Sea. Oh my, Epworth is BEAUTIFUL! And don't worry, I had a great time this weekend.

Some of you may remember that I've been going to the Armstrong Wesley Fellowship luncheon meeting since October. Believe it or not, I was depressed back in October. That depression hit rock bottom in November with the lost of Grandpa. Of course, my being depressed at the end of last year was not as bad as other times in my life. I'm just saying I was down back them. The Wesley Fellowship luncheon meetings were a bright spot of me. Back in November, being depressed and all, I decided I needed something fun in my life. That's way I decided to go to the retreat this weekend.

Only 3 students from Armstrong attended the whole weekend. However, 6 students from our sister school, Savannah State University, attended the retreat. Another student from Armstrong came for the day yesterday. The rest of us left for the retreat on Friday. We got there about 6, checked in, and ate dinner. After dinner, as all of us were unpacking into our cabins, Quentin, a SSU student, and I were ready to set up our beds in our cabin. Some of the other students assigned to our cabin had unpacked. One little problem, we couldn't tell if the items belonged to guy or gals! We believed the cabins were co-ed, with the sex each in different rooms. Well, another group of guys came to the cabin and were a little unnerved to see me in the cabin. Well, it was assumed I was male and assigned a cabin with other males. When I was younger and in Girl Scouts, this was a girl's dream! I laughed at the situation. I spoke to the coordinator of the event to clear up the cabins. She was so embarrassed by it. I told her that it was ok because I'm used to this type of thing. I ended up switching bunks with SSU student, Terry. He was assigned with the girls!

If I was embarrassed by anything, the remarks about my love life got me. The faculty advisor for SSU thought I was married. She was shocked when I said I was single and would be attending the Dating and Faith workshop. She said I had that married look on my face. Some of the girls at the retreat thought I was engaged because I did wear my diamond ring my mother gave me. No, I'm still single. Yes, I attended the Dating and Faith workshop and glad to know there are others out there that have the same thoughts and concerns when it comes to finding Mr(s).99.44% Right. I also went to a workshop on Spiritual Gifts to appreciate the person I have grown into being.

The keynote speaker of the weekend was Dr. M. Thomas Thangaraj. I really enjoyed his lectures. His thoughts about being a Christian and acting like one is exactly like my point of view on it. He told us stories about non-Christians being more Christian-like than some Christians. The most important thing I took away from it was that Christians should not just preach. We're not going to be able to convert everyone. That's how I feel. However, by acting like a Christian, in being kind to one another, we are touching others with the word of God. Also, a story he told us was his mother died before his wedding. The people that help him the most were those that were there for him, but didn't preach. He said that meant the most to him. That we should do the same. It mean something to people just being there for them. I can totally agree with that.

I think they are lost somewhere on the Internet, but I uploaded some pictures on my moblog from Fort Frederica. Ryan, Chris, Michelle, and I, the 4 students from Armstrong, spent our free time yesterday at the Fort. It was a very interesting trip. I would love to go again. We only had 40 minutes at the place since we got there at 4:20 and it closed at 5:00. We also stopped at Christ Church. There was a service going on when we stopped but we didn't stay long. The list of people needed prayers was too long and we had to get back to Epworth in time for dinner. We also went the walk dedicated to the Wesley brothers, Charles and John.

I can not sum up the whole weekend as it would needed to be summed up. Just know I had a great time and it was well worth it. I don't know where next year's retreat will be held, but I plan on going. This weekend renewed me and renewed my outlook on life.

[♪ Listening to: "Beautiful Soul" - Jesse McCartney]

Posted by Shawn at January 23, 2005 7:39 PM in General.