God works in mysterious ways.

You hear this phrase all the time, but there are moments in our lives when we can really see the reality of that fact. When my youth group started talking about a college-age retreat I was enthralled by the idea. I was very much in need of some time to get away and just be with Jesus. (Didn't hurt that it was at the coast.) And the cost of $35 was not bad at all for a weekend at a nice house on the beach. Then when my car started acting up and it was estimated to cost $1700 to fix I began to fear that I wouldn't be able to go.

The first amazing thing that God did in the situation was to bring someone to help with my car. A very kind family selflessly gave, and it only cost me $450 to get my car up and running again! But now I was short a bunch of money that I didn't really have to spend in the first place. I was unsure whether or not to sign up for the retreat.

I still felt the need to get away and focus on the Lord. So I figured I would just trust God to take care of things. Shortly after God did another amazing thing: He brought me $35! I was asked to babysit and for the time I did that's exactly what I was paid!! I know for sure it was His plan for me to go. My excitement was high. Up until it was time to go that is...

The weekend was GREAT... but it was so in a different way than I had expected. I'm usually really good about not having expectations and just going with the flow. Not this time. Yet God still rocked my world; it wasn't in a hugely spiritual way like I'd imagined. He blessed us with fantastic weather on the Oregon coast, provided some quick/strong bonding with friends, and He has revealed places where I need growth and more trust in His timing and plan.

God works in mysterious ways.