The One with our Fall Retreat @SBC

We had a phenomenal weekend retreat at Somerset with our teens. I really wasn't sure how things would come together seeing that it was the first retreat we'd ever planned for our youth group, but it far exceeded my expectations. It seemed like a lot of work for a 24 hour trip. There was the food to organize, the warm clothes to remember, rides to coordinate, the devotions to write, the activities to plan. But I have to tell you, it really wasn't all that difficult. We had the perfect amount of food, just enough room to fit everything in our tiny vehicles, and everyone had a wonderful time. 

The best part was I never felt an ounce of stress or frustration the entire weekend. Normally I'm easily irritated when my schedule gets stepped on, when things don't go as planned. But we had created a fairly loose schedule and, in the end, everything flowed wonderfully. I was quite proud of myself. :)

Despite the fact that it was snowing and we were freezing, the fire was burning, the cabins were warm, friendships were kindled, and God was at work.

::one of our 4 cabins

::chili for dinner. yum!

::hanging out in the loft

::just before our first devotional on Psalm 23 led by Kevin

::early morning hike around the lake

::playing the leaves (Amanda and me)

::this photo looks innocent enough, right? 

WRONG. 

Josh, Amanda, and Kevin had been hiding in that huge pile of leaves (right in front of the teens) for an hour waiting for them to get back from the scavenger hunt. They wanted to jump out and scare them to death mid-photo, but suddenly one of the girls jumped INTO the pile of leaves and ONTO Kevin's head. It wasn't the perfect ending, but everyone laughed for quite some time while romping in the leaves.