by Jeshua Aveno
Having fun with members of GSCC does not mean we have to be in a large group at all times. It does not mean we must only enjoy each other’s company within the walls of the church. On January 27th, 2011, a few members of J-YA went to Lake Tahoe for a snow retreat. When first planning the trip, we had about 25 members signed up to go. As the trip got closer, more and more people slowly began to tell us that they were unable to go for different reasons, but still we planned on leaving for the snow. Only 11 people ended up going on the trip, but God is good and He blessed us with an amazing and blessed trip.
We were blessed with a nice cabin that housed our group comfortably for the time we were there. The weather at Tahoe was beautiful. The sun was shining bright and the snow was nice. So many fun-filled and memorable events happened on the trip. Richard Mortell traveled to the snow for the first time with us. We spent some time tubing and walking around the snow parks, built a snowman, and spent hours getting tongue tied and slurring our words as we played Mad Gab. We also enjoyed delicious food, prepared by Chef Fred, with the help of some of the travelers, kept our stomachs full and our taste buds wanting more than we could eat.
More importantly, we truly felt the presence of the Holy Spirit with us on the trip. Each night, we continued as if we were at FNL. We don’t have to be at church to worship God. It does not matter where you are, as long as you worship God with everything you are, He will be pleased. We heard a message led by Fred, as well as took turns giving our testimonies. Tears were shed, but I felt that there our bonds with each other, as well as our relationships with God, grew even stronger than they were when we first stepped foot on the snow.
God is truly an awesome God. He lowered us in quantity, but strengthened the quality of the trip. We laughed, we cried, we opened up to one another, but more importantly we gave our hearts and praise to the only one who deserves our praise, our God.
