pink elephants.

Have you ever just stopped and taken a moment to admire the beauty that God has made? The mountians, the trees, the leaves, the clouds..ect is proof that I serve an awesome God! No one can ever tell me that He doesn't exist, no one can ever tell me He isn't powerful, and no one could ever tell me that He doesn't love me, or work in my life!

This past weekend was amazing. My church college group had a fall retreat in the mountains, and it was full of adventure, Jesus, fun, and beauty!!! I wasn't really excited about it at first, only because I hate packing and such, but after I was on the way, I knew it was going to be a blast!

The entire weekend was focused on experienceing God, and we sure did!!! We did a short study called "7 truths from experiencing God" and it really taugh us so much! From know that God is always at work around to listening to God at all times, I know everyone went home having learned something!!!

I'm so thankful for the kindness and hospitatlity of the LaCroix's. They are such sweet people of God and they continually bless us! They open up their home to us, get up early to cook us breakfast, and bend over backwards to accommodate anyone!

Friday night,we made it up finally, sat around the campfire, drank hot choloate, heard the pink elephant joke..(no i won't tell you that joke. if you know Mrs. Cassy Stringfield, please, please, please, go ask her to tell you about the GREEEATTT big gates of elephant land.) had a great session from Mrs. Laura, and just talked and hung out!

Saturday morning, we got up had a great breakfast of biscuits and gravy, had a session with Mrs. Erin, and then got ready to head out for the day. We started the day with some good ole bbq for lunch along with some UGA football..let me take a quick second to say HOW 'BOUT THEM DAWGS!!!! HECK YEAHUH! I had to get Momma to repeat the score to me 3 times at the end of the game because I was shocked and slightly appalled at the sight of UGA winning. (if you didn't get aht VT reference, you're very uncool!) After lunch and a "waterfall" adventure that didn't happen, getting stopped for 20 minutes because of a bike wreck on the side of the mountain (he's okay! we saw him a few hours later and Mr. Tony went to talk to him!), we went to Brasstown Bald, the highest point in Georgia. It was so beautiful on top, and there was only ONE..count it with me..one cloud in the sky! Another amazing view of God's awesome creation!

We rode to the top in the shuttle, and walked down and had some quiet prayer time! It was awesome to just focus on the beauty all around that God just spoke into existance. How amazing!! (It was a great walk, but my calves are KILLING me today!!) 

After a trip around the never ending mountain, we finally found a gorgeous waterfall!! We had a session from Mrs. Cassy there and it was so good!!  It was so peaceful, I could have stayed out there for a long time!!

After that, we rounded our way off the never ending 20 mile mountain and headed back to the cabin! We had a lazy night, sitting around the fire, eating some delicious chili, watching the stars, and playing catch phrase!!!! haha! That game is a blast, and the bigger the group, the more entertaining!

Sunday morning, we all got up to yet another delicious breakfast, and then got packed up and loaded up and headed out to church at Medow Grove in North Carolina. It was such a wonderful service! *they even had a mandolin and played some southern gospel to start the service! LOVED IT! yeah, they ALL judged me! lol

We got some mexican and then started the EXTREMELY LOOOONNNGGG journey home. It definitely took us an hour and a half longer than it should have, but it felt like an eternity!!! Our bus was apparently the "long bus" so it  took it us longer than the other one.  (oh golly goodness, at Mrs. Laura and Mrs. Cassy!) We got lost several times, and the GPS didn't know where it was taking us. Next time, we'll bring tomtom along! ha! :)

It really was a wonderful weekend! The devil tried attacking us in every way possible even before we left Augusta, but that wasn't going to stop us!!! We had Jesus on our side!!! I had such an amazing time, with some of the best people! I love each and every single one of those that went! God couldn't have put a more perfect group together! I'm so thankful for His amazing Power!

*i "borrowed" these two pictures from Sarah. I forgot batteries for my camera, so I'll post with pictures when everyone else puts theirs up! :) *