Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

I cannot describe how grateful I am for the precious days, hours, moments that I have had with the youth group up in the mountains. What Scott said is true--there is a love for God, a joy in fellowship, and a realness in our youth group that is the very reflection of God's goodness.

Jesus said, The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one...

These friends, young and old, with whom I've spent so short a time have brought me greater gladness than I am able to describe. I have seen servants, so many and so true, lay down their strength at the Lord's feet. I have seen young men surrender their doubt before the cross. I have heard the wisdom of God spoken among sisters gathered in circles and on their knees.

It was strange saying goodbye today. Granted, last goodbyes didn't turn out to be last goodbyes thanks to a final northeastern adventure, but the sight of them passing from the window's frame made me realize just how deep is the love God has poured out upon this group of people, and how excruciating is the joy that we have together, excruciating because we do not yet behold the face of Christ our King. Yes, we are sinners. Yet despite our imperfections as members of this body, members of The Body, God displays Himself to us, through us, that we might love Him fiercely for who He is and fiercely love each other for who we are in Him. For in His mysterious and wonderful love, God has given Christ as a gift to us, that we might be His gift to Christ, and we gifts to each other.

So I thank God for this retreat. I thank God for my brothers and sisters, whose overflowing love I don't deserve but which I need. I thank God for the Cross. And I thank God for the life together that we have, the life eternal.