NAVs Retreat
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

NAVs Retreat

This is an event which has changed my life tremendously.

9
NAVs Retreat
Google images

I can’t find words that are good enough to describe the NAVs retreat I went on last weekend.

Earlier in the week, I’d had a hard time. Even though I hung out with friends and had fun, I still felt a void inside of me that there was no way I could get rid of. At first I ignored the feeling, but then it grew bigger and bigger, and eventually broke me down.

I asked God why this happened to me, for I had been a good lamb, going to church every weekend, worshiping Him. I desperately wanted to fill up the void by asking Him to help. And He sent me a friend of mine to invite me to NAVs meeting. There I signed up for the retreat, at the very last minute.

I was so nervous when I just got there, because there were hundreds of students from different universities and I barely knew anyone. I was on the edge of feeling lonely, then the speakers and worship blew the feeling away completely.

The atmosphere still remained inside my mind. I can still recall how loud the music was, how hard I sang in harmony with others, and how warm my heart was when all of us hugged each other. And uniquely, I did not feel like I was in a different culture singing in a different language, but immerged in one united community of God’s children.

There was no men or women, no Creighton or Iowa State, no English or Vietnamese. There was only the people who loved God and loved by God.

I felt so much better after the retreat. I appreciated others and myself more. I learned to be open, vulnerable, compassionate, perseverant, helpful and strong. Most importantly, I nurtured a desire to spend time for Jesus every day, even just a little bit, because He had stayed with me in every ups and downs.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

19331
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

947373
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

123890
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments