Though I felt rather reluctant to posting a lengthy entry about such an awesome retreat, I guess this time had to come sooner or later. Before I begin I proudly admit that I TOTALLY FEEL REFRESHED IN GOD!

Retreat was just awesome. After 점도산님's sermon, we packed up everything and left church at 2 PM. However when we were all about to leave, Jenna started to cry because Jonathan and I were leaving for retreat. Though it was nice that Jenna would miss us, I still felt really aggravated: I just wasn't in the mood to stop Jenna from crying AGAIN since she is SO stubborn. Before I left, I said goodbye to Mom and looked for Jenna - only to find out that I couldn't find her. I left with regret leaving Jenna crying. She was later found in the bathroom by the adults that day...

It took about 1 hour and 30 minutes until we arrived at Keswick. Sangjin was my roommate, so I got him to deal with my things. Since I'm in praise team, I helped out set up all the equipment. We happened to get the bigger chapel. After that, we had dinner and had our first service. Our speaker, Pastor Matt Lin, was a big Chinese man who started off the retreat by handing out candy as rewards for correctly guessing candy bars in the game "Name That Bar". Afterwards, we had our first group meeting.

The groups and their respective skits are as follows:
Group 1 - Zach
David Jhee
Jessica Kim
Jonathan Rim
Jun Hong
Kathleen Sung
Paul Rim
Susan Lee
Ulrica Kim
Group 1 had Jun as their main character and Zach as the narrator. He was a cheery boy who was tested by the capital sins of gluttony (David dressed as a really fat guy), pride (Jun shows off his "muscles"), envy (Jun steals Jonathan's slidey cell phone), and lust (Jun goes out with "Paulina"). Jun was convicted by God every time at the end of each sin, got on his knees, began to cry, but then got up and said "Ahh, refreshed". However after the sins, Jun "died". Though it was a "sad" moment where everyone leaned over and "cried", Jun was in a better place: heaven. Therefore, everyone danced in joy at the end.

Group 2 - Sangjin
Brian Kim
Eddie Kim
Emily Jung
Gina Yoo
Jesse (last name)
Liz Kang
Liz Kim
Peter Park (Y)
Peter Park (O)
Group 2 had their skit about a poor miserable family with Peter (O) as the drunken father. Liz Kang was the mother, Liz Kim was the daughter, and Brian Kim was the son. During the skit, Peter spent most of their money on the investment of Jesse's company - which got bankrupt. Emily was the announcer on TV who announced the news... Everyone was upset with Peter, so Peter went off to donate to Gina's charity. Later, Peter bought a lottery ticket. Miraculously, Peter actually won. However, he left the family to live the "good life" as a rich man. As he lived his life riding on his "human limo" of Peter (Y) and Jesse, Liz (the daughter) was really sick. Sangjin and Eddie were there for the family and managed to spot Peter (O) to make a donation to help his family. However, Peter's arrogance caused Peter to ignore the call. However, Peter felt guilty and returned. He felt so hurt at seeing his daughter sick that he gave all of his money to help out his family and fled. Later, Liz (the daughter) was shown praying, feeling healthy once again.

Group 3 - Diana
Ashley Ko
Bora Jung
Brian Jung
David Na
Elizabeth Noh
Grace Kim
Joshua Kim
Suah Lee
Group 3 based their skit on the fable of "The Tortoise and the Hare" - Ashley's idea - with Diana as the narrator. David was the tortoise symbolizing a very slow, but a strong everlasting relationship with God. On the other hand, Brian was the energizer bunny, symbolizing a spiritual high, but inevitably go down. However at the end, David caught up with Brian and helped him back up with "Live Water" that refreshed Brian's spirits. Together, they crossed the finish of eternal life.

Group 4 - Mark
Danica Han
Daniel (last name)
John Rim
Joshua Cho
Kevin Ahn
Sam Pak
Sarah Park
Susan Cho
My group's skit had Danica as the main character. I didn't really like it that guys played the main character all the time, so I suggested that a girl take the main role and asked Danica if she wanted to do it. Anyway, Danica was a member of praise team who was a very devoted Christian. I, too, was a praise team member and a devoted Christian. On Day 1, Danica and I are in a relationship as well as taking an active role in church. After our scene, Danica got on the phone with her friends, Susan and Sarah. They invited Danica to a big party, but Danica assertively said, "No, I have church". On Day 2, Danica's faith started to weaken - and it showed. When I asked what was wrong, Danica shrugged off the question and left. She called her friends again and was invited to another party. This time however, she simply said, "I have church". On Day 3, Danica's weakened faith really showed, and I took action to really ask what was wrong. But again, Danica shrugged it off and left. When she called her friends and got invited to another party again, Danica hesitantly agreed to go. There, she met Mark and Gus, the "partiers". Sarah and Susan got drunk and fainted while Danica managed to stay awake. I caught her in the club partying and drunk, but left extremely disappointed. Afterwards, Danica left the club and ran into Sam, a blind man whom she befriended at one of her volunteer events. There Sam gave some advice to her after Danica sobered up. On the next day, Danica came up to me while I was practicing. I looked at her but turned away. Danica sighed but greeted me. I responded back. She tried to explain what went on the day before, but I cut her off, telling her that I knew and asked her, "What were you thinking?" Even though she said she really didn't know, I became even more disappointed and upset, knowing and telling her that she really let the youth group down as well as ditching me. When Danica apologized, I sighed but decided to be there for her, telling her that God will always be there for her in times of need and that I'll be there, too. Danica called her friends later that day, but they invited her to another party and promised to take care of her this time. However, Danica refused and told them, "I know a better place where we can go".

During Monday night, I talked with Sangjin for a long time about personal things. That was when I realized that I liked Danica. Not only was she pretty, but she is also a quiet person, unlike many others who are rather random and/ or outgoing. However, she's an 8th grader AND Zach's sister. I got really frustrated that night for falling for her. As of now, I'm moving on from the mixed feelings, feelings for others, confusion and frustration.

And to note, a funny thing happened on Sunday night. The first song was The Time Has Come. Since retreat is a really big event, I decided to use the finger-tapping variation of the solo with the wah effect. Apparently, that earned me some "fans". Sarah and Liz became crazy about my guitar playing. Liz even started to hug me! Peter 선생님 said that I became a rock star. Heheh... I really don't deserve such attention and praise. Instead, my guitar playing is all dedicated to God. Therefore, everyone should praise God, not me.

Though much more happened, I'll sum it all up now. I just want to say that retreat was GREAT. I really feel refreshed in God. To be honest, my faith in God was gradually slipping from me. However, retreat really helped out. Being undignified before the Lord is such a great feeling. Too bad Jonathan didn't do the same... He didn't sing at all. All he did was clap - unenthusiastically. I hope he will truly find God one day.