I always have a bittersweet feeling coming back from retreats. I have so much fun during the retreat and feel refreshed coming home. On the other hand, there is a hint of sadness because it’s over. The feeling is amplified immensely after going to a retreat from a leader perspective. I got to spend an entire weekend with some of my absolutely favorite people on Earth, but I’m also sad because, as much as I would like to, I can’t keep doing it day after day.

We took our group to Camp Glisson in Dahlonega for our annual Fall getaway this year. Normally in Georgia, you never get the weather you are “supposed” to have. You get snowstorms in March, 70 degree days in the middle of Fall, and rain while the sun is still out. That weekend however, there could not have been a more perfect fall setting. There were colored leaves on the trees and littering the ground, mid-fifties and sunny during the day, clear starry skies and in the thirties at night. It was absolutely beautiful.

We got to the camp Friday night and started unloading our stuff from the van to the cabins. Pretty much as soon as we dropped our stuff an impromptu dodge ball game started…. inside the cabin. We were ducking behind bedframes, diving in between bunks, and having the best time. It was pure, raw fun that lasted for a good half hour.

The next day started off with breakfast and a morning lesson. From there we went to a ropes course which is basically a problem solving obstacle course. It required a lot of teamwork and communication skills, and the students did amazingly! I was very impressed.

The other leaders and I took a backseat and let the students figure out the best way to get through the course, and they kept coming up with ideas that I didn’t even think of. I really am blessed with an amazing group.

Later that night, after our evening lesson, we had another small group discussion time. The students were really distracted from all of the activities from the day, which is understandable, but it took a long time to get them settled and focused. My co leader and I had to lay into them pretty hard, which I hate doing, but it was necessary.

After that, they paid attention to the questions, and started participating in the discussion. Not surprisingly, we had an awesome conversation with them. (It’s amazing what happens when you focus, right?)  These guys really do have a hunger for knowing Christ and I love seeing them engage in discussion with us and with each other.

The rest of the night consisted of hanging out by the fire, making s’mores and playing cards until very, very late. It got to the point where we could barely talk because we were all laughing at nothing. You know how everything is funnier at 3am? Yeah, that’s pretty much how the night went.

It was an amazing weekend, and everyone had a great time. Sad that it’s over, but I’m really looking forward to the next one!