This past Winter Retreat with the theme of Reckless Abandon, felt different from my previous Winter Retreat at the Calvin Center. Jennifer Chou was the speaker at the previous winter retreat, and she was great! Everyone could feel the energy in the room, while she spoke to us. I think most left the 2001 Winter Retreat with a spiritual high, but after going back home for a day or two the spiritual energy gradually diminished.

      The 2002 Winter Retreat's message of "Reckless Abandon" was given to us by our new youth minister, Thomas Wang. He told us stories of his childhood and other situations( bear, Alfredo, Pearl, "the chopstick incident"), which helped me understand the theme better. Having a broken, undivided and seeking heart is definitely an important thing to remember to have. Without these three aspects, I learned that a heart can not really be truly focused on God.

      I didn't really get to my spiritual high until Sunday of Winter Retreat. On Sunday, things changed because of the people around me, the worship songs, the energy changed in the whole room, and I felt like a HUGE weight had been lifted off my shoulders...and the bonfire that night was sooooo UNBELIEVABLE! Hahaha, just watching Wes jumping up & down with his spiritual hyperness and listening to Jacqueline loudly sing in my ear helped too! Thanks to all my friends (you know who ya'll are), the worship team (Jacob, Josh, Wes, Tina, Roger, Sophia, Crystal, Vanessa, etc.) & my small group girls (IRIS, Emily aka Moe, Steph, Amy & Seara)!!!

      I took the 30 day no-secular-music challenge that was given to us at the retreat. So far, I have done pretty well. It is so easy to listen to Christian music, because I listened to it, even before the challenge was given to us. Music, worship, prayer and daily devotions have been keeping me on the same spiritual high. I hope God can help me to continue to grow into the Christian I want and strive to be. God bless everyone! ~Love always in Christ, Darleeny