The Amazingness that is Chapter Retreat!

So, going into this weekend I was worried that I wasn't going to make much of a point in my testimony, but I can't negate the power of the Lord to move where people are gathered in his name. Since this was my last Chapter Retreat, I was not going to miss it for the world. I just want to highlight a few things that I don't think I'll ever forget.

1) All six of our testimonies came together cleanly and intertwined really amazingly. Especially considering that we did not get together to practice and I don't think many of us knew what the other people were talking about, we just had our main theme... "How to lose your life in 3 days"

2) Our fearless coordinator Christina (Tina to a few) Harris really did well to work out all of our logistics, money issues, and small groups (several times)

3) The feedback that we all received from everyone who heard our testimonies was amazing. It was really encouraging to hear people take the things and ideas we said to heart and apply our methods to their own lives.

4) The senior flour prank on the Juniors. Priceless

5) The dance party... lets just say we rocked

6) Funky Chicken and Train Wreck.... it was good... so good

7) Class time: I felt like we all connected so well and just had a good time having intentional conversation about our life goals (or lack there of). I think we all realized what kind of friends we have in this community and how much of a blessing God was giving us when he brought us all to IV... and we came from many different walks of life (that is for sure)!

8) The highlight from every single year... women's prayer. Praise GOD for these women to be open, honest, raw, and intentional with fears, problems, life issues, the past, with God, with faith, with body image.... the list goes on and on. Praise God for those who prayed over everyone else. There were a lot of us doing both. I praise God for those who prayed over me, their voices struck my heart. God is faithful and he wants me to be in love with him. The men had their own prayer, but naturally I was in the women's. I heard it went well :)

I've just come back to UNC convicted about my friendships and my relationships. It's even more important to me than ever before to maintain the relationships that I already have with people and to continue to build new ones along with the old. I'll be posting my notes from my talk on my next blog if you're interested in what I said. I just want everyone to know that I appreciate the laughter, participation, and attention that was given to me during my talk. Praise God for all of you! I am encouraged by you all!

Song of the night: "Before the Throne of God Above"

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!

Alleluia, Alleluia, Praise the one, risen son of God.