HisWay Retreat

I am now home from the Confirmation retreat-HisWay. Sometimes I wished I was able to write all this, but I know I will definitely have way too much to say. I always like to get all the detail. So Friday, April 15, 2011-I had work from 10-2pm. I got off early so we would be able to pack and leave to Kickapoo Ranch.I took a ride with Bao. He had a 9 o'clock class. He picked me up and dropped me off. He also got me a tuna subway sandwich b/c it was lent and I hadn't eaten. Honestly, I wasn't looking forward to it. I didn't know what sort of emotions I had but I just knew when I came back home, I would miss it. I would miss everything. I guess I wanted to avoid that even if it means not going. i don't know. It stimulates my memory and reminisces. I started to think about last year Confirmation Retreat with Cynthia & Amber. Joe, Dee, Kevin, Katherine, Viet, and a few other went that made the experience quite fun. I  was sad thinking about going back to that same place we were at a year ago. I'm going back to that destination again, but... this time, we don't have the whole shabang.  Then, I had an epiphany, its not the place that makes everything so wonderful, but its the spirit and energy from the group. It was the students and leaders that brought the vibe to the dull place which in turn created cherishable memories. So I did last minute packing. Nancy needed me to print out the reconcialation activity. Mimi needed me to print out petition. I hurried and Amber dropped me off at Church. I thought, I was late. I was expecting Mimi and Thu and a few others doing security and bag check, but it was only Linda, Ben, Tieumi, Mary, and Tony. i guess it felt a little wierd b/c I wasn't use to it being jsut them. We arrived, had dinner, p&w. The students were all blindfolded and had to find their group members. It was so hilarious b/c they were all on their hind knees, and shouting different HisWay sandwiches-Roast Beef,Tuna, etc.  The night ended off with a talk Cha gave about Mother Theresa and Pope John Paull II-how as they were children, they had different plans for themselves, but God had greater plans and now their on their way of becoming a saint etc.  The night ended with cabins, showers, leaders mtg, last minute preparation.

Saturday:

This retreat was quite different from the previous ones, primarily b/c of the schedule. We had opening P&W, Cha gave a talk about plans-the 5C's, we gathered in our group for discussion and did the candle decorating activity. Then, we had lunch. Afterwards, Cha gave another talk about the different road signs. We eliminated certain activity from the itinerary b/c of timing. The kids went outside for soccer football to wake them up. Then they returned and Mary Phan gave her talk which I missed b/c I had to practice the skit with Tony, Linda, Wayne, Ben, Phong, Kim P., Anthony, Michael, and Mary. They had quite a long discussion afterward that I made to in the middle of it. After, was one-on-one time. I got to talk to Tony Nguyen, Davin Vo, and Amy Nguyen. It was good being able to have some time set aside to talk to them b/c I felt like I didn't really get to know the students on a personal level this year. It was so weird how often I was able to relate to Davin-stress of school, taking life too seriously etc., Then, we had dinner. After dinner, we performed our skit which led into reconciliation activity and confession. I was in prayer group with Mollie and Michael. (I felt really out of it during prayer-like I shouldn't pray at all but I had to remind myself that I needed to humble myself and let God completely work through me-that it wasn't from me) After, I went inside and the students were already gathered together around the heart of candle and they were in meditation. Then we had mass for Palm Sunday. I was reading as narrator. Anthony was reading the bystanders voice. Cha was Jesus. It was weird b/c I sat in the front and Lam often asked me to help him-moving candles to the table after mass to prepare for adoration. Then, he called me up to eat like the remaining stack of bread which I felt so weird doing. b/c I thought you could only receive the Eucharist once a day, but Lam gave me a stack to eat at once. Then, Cha started adoration. He went around with the monstrance. Then, we had circle time and care packages passed out. After, the cake was brought out for Thao's and Justin's birthday. Julie, Vy, and I were praying for a few students on the side. Then the kids went to sleep. I stayed up to finish writing notes and had a "heart-to-heart" with Mars. Then slept at 4:30 am.

Sunday:

I woke up. packed. ate breakfast. Then went outside to help Ben and Linda with the water balloons. I really like them a lot. They're not like the others. They're so nice and welcoming. No clicks. No favors. No side groups. but willingly gives you the opportunity to know them.-nice and open. The kids did the relay which was so fun! it slip and side, bopping for apple, parting the red sea-sphagetti sauce, slingshot waterballoon, and sower and the seed-digging for letter chips, three board balance and making a crucifix and 4 row pyramid. then we cleaned up and went home.