Men's Retreat

So last weekend, Asbury held a weekend retreat at Camp Paradise Valley on the TN, KY border. The camp was a really nice facility. The speaker for the weekend was a guy from Mississippi. His name was Matt Friedeman. His messages really spoke to us Asburians.



Too often are we enclosed in the Asbury bubble. We are surrounded by Christians which helps us to retain our standards and morals, but also limits our faith walk with God. We always have Christianity shoved down our throats and it makes us almost burned out. By burned out I actually mean tired of it, not necessarily abandoning it. Dr. Friedemans' messages were a change of pace from what we had been hearing. He challenged us to be different, which is hard to do at Asbury. I guess it's tough everywhere because no one wants to be rejected or weird in society. He wanted us to get out of our comfort zones. I have heard this message before, but this time it was so different.

Another great lesson he taught us was the theory of the 3 M's. The first is knowing your





aker.


Once you establish a healthy relationship with Christ and listen to him daily, one can deal with life with someone to help out. Next, you must find your



ission. In other words, where God is drawing you. He explained that some of us there at the retreat would be the very people who would bleed and die in God's name. It was uncomfortable, but in a good way.

Finally, he told us to find a



ate.

"Don't get number two and number three mixed up."

This advice was something everyone, especially at Asbury should hear. So many people come to this college to find a mate like this...
Just kidding
Which is fine, as long as they know what God has in store for them. Imagine what would happen if you thought you found the perfect person and married them. One day God calls you to go somewhere your spouse would not want to go. It would be extremely hard to decide which path to take after that.

All that to say, retreats are good for taking a step back from reality and recharging ideas and values that should be in our everyday lives.

What's coming is due.

So for those of you who knew, i'm sure that you are wanting to know how the holidays went and how my sister's wedding went. All of it was a giant blur because of the wedding. It trumped all other activities, but it was worth it, we gained a brother.

Christmas was great, it was strange because Corey, Kate's husband (so strange to say), was with us on Christmas morning. It's nice that he really enjoys our family and loves being around us.
We woke up to a glorious Christmas morning. It was probably 60 degrees and sunny. Some people might hate this weather because it is right in between warm and snowing. We got neither warm tanning weather or icy flakes, but it was still a beautiful day none the less.



During the holidays I knew that I was going to get bored. My mom had the same thoughts and suggested that I go ask this guy for a job. "This guy" did some work on my tahoe when my "friend" haha j/k, rear-ended me. His name is Jeff McGee and he works at an auto body shop. Another guy named Mike also works there, he's a year older than me. They are hilarious and very helpful in giving me tips about autobody work and stuff. It's been waaaay better than sitting in my house feeling worthless.

I have noticed that all throughout this break I've sought out solitude. Usually I'm dying to see my friends, but this time it's different. I want to be back at Asbury...crazy I know because just months ago I was saying the exact opposite, but God has really opened my eyes to how much joy and satisfaction the future can hold if I just pursue it. Back to solitude...I haven't called hardly any of my friends and I just sit around at home when I get back from the body shop at 5. It's kind of nice though. I bring this up because at New Years when most people are out partying, I was just chillin with the Ervin family. I baby sat both of their boys who are now in 5th grade and ...2nd I want to say. They also have a 1 year old girl who I have not spent much time with, but still am very close to their whole family. After their house I went home to my other sister, Virginia, and my mom where we watched a rerun of the ball dropping in NY and Lenny Kravitz singing "I'll Be Waiting." I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH HOW MUCH I LIKE THIS SONG. oh man it's great. get it. now. haha

Just some little thoughts on the wedding: It was great seeing everyone, but I did not get to spend even half the time I would have liked to spend with everyone. It was so busy I just saw them and hardly got to say hello. Also seeing my sister up there in her wedding dress made me realize she was actually married and starting her own branch of our family. A realization happened of how great of a sister she was, and how great of a sister Virginia was. To put it in comparison, when my grandmother died in May, It brought to the surface how many great things she had done, and just how much she really cared for us. The same feelings came over me with Kate. Obviously Kate isn't dead, but she is out now. Does that make sense? If not i'm sorry. All that to say the wedding made me reflect on just how much Kate cared and looked after me. Even through all the frustration we had together, I know deep down we are very close. The same goes with my family in general. Why do we wait until things are gone or out of our hands to appreciate them. Take things you have now and appreciate them. That's what I feel we should do, but have not figured out how. If anyone does, let me know.


Well I think this has been long enough. Definitely. Have a great 08!