chi alpha // ROOTED

This past weekend I got the cool opportunity to be a leader for a junior high/high school retreat at a church called The Heights in Plano. Let me just say, going in, I had absolutely no.idea. what I was doing. None. I've never done anything like D-Now before so I was just kind of rollin with it. Well, good thing I did because it was probably one of the best weekends I've ever had.

I spent all evening/night on Friday, all day/night Saturday and Sunday morning chillin with some pretty stellar eighth grade girls. I grew more in this weekend than I can even express and I'm so thankful that I even had this opportunity!

We stayed in a host home (all 9 of the girls, plus me) which was definitely one of the best parts. Imagine 10 teenage girls invading a home with all of our pillows, face masks, fruit snacks and  matching pink bandanas for a whole weekend. It was a sight to see. Even though the family that we stayed with has FOUR, count them, FOUR boys living in their house, they were still willing to open up their home for us to use for a weekend. Now if that doesn't scream "church community" and "being the hands and feet of God" then I don't know what does.

I was so inspired by the life story of the sweet woman whose home we got to invade for the weekend. I've been learning so much lately how the Lord LALALOVES to share his character, his creativity, his faithfulness and of course, his love through the lives of his children. Each of our lives breathes the attributes and passion of Christ and that's why I love getting to hear the testimonies and life stories of others.

We spent the weekend exploring different topics and questions, but of course, the heart of the matter was the gospel. We talked about the beginning, in Ephesians 2:1-3 where Paul tells us "as for you, you were DEAD in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world...gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following it's desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath." 

But the good news comes in verses 4-10 "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us ALIVE with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions- it is by GRACE (not works) you have been saved."

One of the biggest ways that the Lord spoke to me this weekend was through Hebrews 5:11-14. Check it out when you have a chance! It's a cool reminder that we are called to be growing and learning in faith and righteousness so that we are able to turn around and use what the Lord has taught us to teach others. Let's not be idle! I'm not about this life of milk, I need some solid food! [read the passage; you'll understand that absurd reference]

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

"So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." 1 Peter 4:19

Love y'all so much and thanks for letting me spend the weekend with you, Emily, Esther, Amanda, Alivia, Madi, Saralyn, Allyson, Lauren, Kate and the Harris Family!!