my two night get away

“It’ll be like a two night all-expense paid get away.” That’s what my awesome friend, Christine, said to me when she asked if I would spend the weekend as a girl sponsor with 60 teenagers at the youth winter retreat. Hmmm…that sounded good except having to bring a sleeping bag, pillow, towel, somehow it didn’t sound like the get away that I would usually imagine.

My introverted self was telling me, “But you don’t know anybody and you’re not the best at just going up and talking to people,” but my heart was telling me, “You should go.” So I did. And I had a great time.

I learned that most kids have a cell phone by the age of 14 (I believe I was 22 when I got my first cell phone) and every girl has a flat iron in her bag of tricks. I also learned that teenagers face a lot more than I did.

The speaker for the weekend talked about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abdnego, and how they were teenagers who made a difference. I began thinking about the fiery furnace situations in our own lives and the choice we have to call on God. As a teenager, I think that choice is much harder to make with the pressure and influences all around you. It’s not easy being different.

I met some great new peeps, made some memories (like getting soaked in the rain), ate some delicious s’mores, and had a great time. I am so glad I went!