To Be Encountered

Happy December, GCFS family!
 
What an eventful month of November we had. It was definitely a whirlwind of events and in the blink of an eye, the pilgrims already said their goodbyes and now the elves have come to say hello. Before I highlight our main event in November, I would like to start off by simply saying how proud I am of all the students. You continuously amaze me with your growth and how much you absorb this school year. Some of you have mastered to tickle my funny bone while others have given the best bear hugs one could ever know. All of you truly melt my heart and needless to say, this school year is quite special.
 
Middle and high school students are back from the ENCOUNTER fall retreat! It was a unique time spent away from classrooms surrounded by mountains and fresh air. How therapeutic it was for all of us to rest, eat, play, and worship. And though we may look no different, we’re actually closer as a family and gained a deeper understanding of God’s love for us. In most cases, retreats are usually set up and designed to have multiple altar calls whether you are ready or not. In hopes of it being remembered as a pivotal moment in your life when God really met you or changed your life. Because the epitome of retreats is dimming the lights, having the right music playing in the background, bonfires, and eating ramyun. But God’s heart is always much more than that. Of course all those factors are helpful and somewhat predictable at retreats, He desires to position our hearts for us to understand His deep love towards us. Whether it is in the midst of worshiping, eating, sleeping, walking, or having a conversation with a friend, He makes himself known through it all. This retreat was exactly that. Witnessing God navigate His way through the hearts of the students was powerful. Because more than ever, I knew that the teachers needed the most encouragement and encounter from the Lord and watching students pray over each teacher was only something that was possible with God walking in the room. This was a powerful encounter that no one could have expected or planned ahead of time for it to be scheduled in the pamphlet. We wanted the students to encounter God and God gave us more.
 
God is amazing and He knows far better than what we know is best. This retreat has marked the rest of the school year to want more and experience love that only comes from rubbing elbows with your family by being raw and honest. GCFS encountered deep love with the Lord and we want more!