It felt a little weird to be a guest in the second year retreat. I came in with no expectations, no hopes, or goals. I was asked to give a sharing. I thought that my contributions in this retreat would be minimal to none. I didn't know most of the students. I thought I would be alienated completely.

The first night I was asked to sit with Tanya's group since she was going to come up late. They made me feel very welcome by just talking to me. I wasn't able to stay with them long since I was asked to take care of other students. These students came from other churches and they missed their own retreat. Samantha, Alfredo, Jairo, & Lupe. They really made a big difference in the retreat for me. We were a group for the whole retreat. They were telling me how different it is with their parishes. They were able to freely express themselves and open up to me. The five of us bonded. It's funny how someone can be at the right place at the right time. I love those guys. I'm so glad they accepted me and were open to me. The guys in my cabin really made me feel welcome and I made some real good friends by the time retreat ended.

I gave a talk on saturday night. I didn't expect it to be so impactful. I didn't expect anyone to stay awake. I didn't think anyone would learn anything. I was humbled to learn that many people were affected by it. My heart stopped when I was told that my talk was considered the best of the retreat. Gail was telling me that she was hearing nothing but good things about me. Honestly, I felt the spirit working in me. I felt that I belonged. I felt that I made a difference...even if it was only for that 20 minutes i took the stage. Again, I was humbled to be a part of the retreat. It was an honor to be a part of the retreat and their journeys as Christians.

So what did I talk about? Well, too bad you didnt experience it for yourself but I can recap some important points. Obviously it won't be so meaningful since I'm not delivering the whole thing. hahaha.

As confirmadi, we came to the retreat to find ourselves...both personally and spiritually. We need to be our true selves in order to be true people of God. It's like the idea that you cannot love others if you do not love yourself. We must accept ourselves physically as well as spiritually. God made us...why shouldn't we be happy with ourselves? In order to find yourself...you must BE yourself. Don't be scared to take risks; life is all about trial and error. It's okay to fail. It's okay to be different and unique. No matter how different you think you are, someone will always relate. It's funny how everyone wants to fit in and stand out at the same time, while all we can really do is be ourselves. It's okay to have problems. You may feel alone when you have problems but think about this: "What makes you so DAMN special to be the only one with problems?" There are 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit. What's your strongest? What's your weakest? There is a cycle to knowledge and love. LEARN => KNOW => PRACTICE => TEACH. When we are taught things, we learn them. When we learn them, we practice and apply what we learn. If we practice something well enough, we can teach it others may learn and the cycle continues. We must know our gifts, but why are there so many gifts of the Holy Spirit? There are many different people. That's why. We are all different people which makes us all different parts of the body of Christ. We are called to spread the light of God to others. As we spread the fire of life, it will eventually come back and thats when you know you have succeeded. Know yourself. Know your gift. Light the world on fire with it. Love and accept yourself and others will love and accept you. Don't judge others. If you see someone else struggling to find themselves...just be there for them. The spirit lives in you only if you let it.

There's more but that's only between me and those who have heard my talk.

I came as a guest. I left as a friend. Thank you to all of the people who coordinated the retreat. Everyone did an exceptional job. I needed it. Thank you for allowing me to express myself to the confirmandi. Thank you to all who got something out of my talk. Thank you God for filling me with such inspiration and love for others.

You just had to be there to know what it was like to feel the spirit of God. If you weren't then you'd have no idea what everyone was talking about.

I'm sure no one left empty-handed. I didn't. I left with a lighter heart and many new friends and experiences.