GRX 2005 All In Retreat

It also happened that Sandy knew exactly where I needed to park—she got me to park right in front of my cabin. We quickly headed to the main building and registered, got our GRX beanie and long sleeve tees. We then unloaded our bags at our designated cabins. Mine was pretty easy (see above) while for Sandy (and most of the girls) her cabin was way up this steep hill. Going up that hill was a pretty good exercise. Haha.

GRX Worship At Koinonia Conference Grounds

It was amazing! Worship that is. The few of us who came to this retreat gave praise to the Lord, singing to Bobby's leading. This may be TMI but that night was also the first time I held Sandy's hand as we worshipped together. How did you feel Sandy? It felt better than me holding my own hands. =)

After worshipping God, our main speaker Pastor Ray Johnston of Bayside Church in Granite Bay came up and spoke about being ALL IN. I learned so much and his anecdotes were so hilarious.

A Diamond In The Rough

After this we got into our breakout group—the ace of diamond suit. Our first team challenge? To come up with a name, flag, and cheer. We brainstormed and came up with a design and cheer: + Hands spread out + A Diamond in the center of the hand + Clouds and lightning + Lightning on the diamond + A Cross at the wrists + G2 (God's Gift)

“Brrrrr
Its cold in here
There must be G2s in the atmosphere”

Disclaimer: You may recognize this cheer from the classic film: Bring It On. Surprisingly most people didn't. =D

Team Challenge

1st Challenge: My Eggs Are Bigger Than Your Eggs
We gathered at the main field for some egg tossING: one person tosses egg into the air while another catches it with a bucket tied to the head. I regret to say this but G2 lost in this event.

2nd Challenge: Saltinized FOB English
"Haro, my same is Inigroh Montowya. Yor killed mer farlthaah: preeparah zooo die." Did you make that out? No?!? That was the point. You stuff your mouth silly with FIVE saltine crackers and "recite" a dialog from a movie. I never saw so many sprayed saltines in my life! Needless to say we lost. Can you name the movie?

3rd Challenge: Help! I Can't Walk
I learned that after spinning four times around a pole known as "the crazy stick" I just wanted to fall down on the ground. What would it feel like at ten times? Praise God for my teammates who helped me to the "Green Machine"—I am unable to "walk" at this point—in order to pedal around a maze-track. I almost threw up after completing this track. Poor Sandy she didn't like this event, too.

4th Challenge: Shapes & Numbers
I guess my undergrad major in Math helped as we were able to solve the number puzzle fairly quickly. Andy Lo solved the shape one which was fairly difficult and required the "out-of-the-box" thinking. We won this event. If you're still interested we placed sixth among twelve teams.

Sing About The One You Love

After an exhausting day of games, we had ribs for dinner, then on to our final worship and talk. During the worship I thanked God for Sandy, for quality time together at a really beautiful and relaxing place, and for the great worship from "the best worship band in the South Bay". And so after twenty-four hours of good times we packed up our stuff and headed home. Yays! Good times!