I visited a shrine yesterday! It was awesome. The Keynote speaker was funny and really good at getting the crowds attention. This was a Youth retreat though besides the adults there that were chaperoning us. The team that put it on was called the "Disciples" who were also youth. Everything was great. The music, the speakers, the food, everything. The first thing we all did when we got there was go to mass. Since our group came a little late everyone was already there. After that, the boys and girls went to separate talks about chastity and finding vocations. There were two speakers for the women's talk and I think there was only one for the boys. Well the speakers were funny and down to earth type of people. The first girl who talked was about 26 years of age and she is a Pro-Life activist. The second was a really funny woman. I think was about forty or so and both of them were beautiful and single. They were basically saying that waiting for your guy is not about the rule of "not having sex until marriage", but respecting yourself and the boundaries God set for us as his daughters. Not only that but respecting your future spouse that you probably haven't even met yet. I've been to Chasity talks before and I've heard about respecting yourself and stuff but these women brought a unique perspective to the table. After we that, we all reconnected with our groups and had lunch. Then my memory sort of blanked... I can't remember what happened for the next three hours but I know they were good. Then we had a two hour brake and my group headed down to a ravine we'd heard had really cold water (It was really hot out!). My sisters got each other soaked and we went around to the different statues that was built in memory of some different saints. After the break was over, we went back to the big tent that was set up for our use. There was an awesome skit that the Disciples acted out. I know skits are usually corny but this one was really good. I found the same one on you-tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUiEeM5TAUY
After the skit was over, we had adoration in the tent for a full two hours on which I and everyone else was on our knees and singing songs. This part of the entire retreat has got to be the part that touched me the most. Someone even started speaking in tongues at one point. I can't say I was very surprised to hear it though. It was all very intense and we sang TONS of songs.
Over all, I'm very glad I went!
God Bless!
Bridge
