Magnificence

Day 40

"Look at the magnificence that is you"

Friday (June 29th), was such a good day. I didn't actually do much in the day time, but once evening hit, I was busier than a bee! Just before sunset, Steph & Tyler (also known as Styler) came to get me. Steph had just gotten something new for her camera. She asked me if I wanted to model, and I said yes. Where as you're used to seeing pictures I took, it was actually her who took the beautiful photo above.
I got to spend time with Styler, and I got a new profile picture. It was a win-win.
If you'd like to see more of her amazing work, here's a link:
http://www.facebook.com/recapturingbeauty

After photos, mom and I went to see Magic Mike. Maybe not the most appropriate movie. I don't recommend it, kids. After Magic Mike, I went McDonald's of course. I'm addicted. Ah, what a day.
                                                                                                                  -Jess Dryden

My Memory is Fading

Day 39

"You have a cat?!"

I really don't remember much of June 28th. It probably wasn't a very exciting day, to be honest. Based on my everyday routine, here's what I probably did:

Woke up late, skipped breakfast, listened to the song Boston, checked Facebook, and watched a movie. 

Also, I might have played guitar. I've been putting my guitar to good use lately, instead of just letting it sit and collect dust. In fact, I've been practicing daily! I'm not as terrible as I used to be at playing that thing. Although, I still have a lot of practicing to do.

I did spend some of the day editing, and posting pictures from the retreat. Also, Tera-Mae found out I had a cat. I guess I forgot to tell my best friend I have a cat, which is weird because the subject of cats has been coming up a lot in our conversations. She loves cats. 

                                                                                                      -Jess Dryden

Spiritual Retreat- Day #5

Day 38

"Hey I just met you, and this is crazy- squirrel!"

Day 5 of Spiritual Retreat (June 27th), the final day, was bittersweet. I mean, I was happy to be going home to my friends and stuff, but at the same time, I was going to miss spending time with my youth group.

We woke up, had a devotional, had free time, then packed and cleaned up around the cottage. We departed the cottage at around 3 PM and we had some car troubles but nothing too serious.

I was so happy to finally get home, and as shallow as it is, I was so happy to text. I really missed my phone, and Facebook and all the other things I went five days without. I know, tough life I have, right? Also, I went five days without listening to the song Boston. New record!

A couple hours after my arrival, Kaitlyn came to get me so we could do drive-bys. We drove all over the city trying to find Nathan, but no luck, so we went to McDonald's instead. 

                                                                                                               -Jess Dryden

Spiritual Retreat- Day #4

Day 37

"A gem for a gem."

Thinking all the way back to Tuesday, June 26th, it was a pretty good day. Well, of course it was! It was a Tuesday. I <3 Tuesdays.
I woke up fairly early that day. I remember that. It was raining, like it was pretty much all week. After breakfast, I went upstairs to put some finishing thoughts into my devotional that I was suppose to be giving that day. After I was done, we went over to the other cottage and I, uh, presented my devo. It was on worship, and I think it went quite well.
We had free time after that, so I decided to go for a walk in the pouring rain. Andy and Ben decided to join me. We walked up the dirt road and then turned back. On the walk back, we went puddle jumping. Then we went down to the lake to wash off our feet. I knew Ben was going to pull something and try and toss me and Andy into the lake, but I somehow cleverly avoided it. Then me and Andy, fully clothed, decide to jump into the lake. We were soaked from head to toe and my towel became my best friend. That was the closest I came to swimming all week. Everything good happens on Tuesdays!
To top off that perfect day, we had tacos for dinner. Then Tera-Mae, Andy and I did best friend surveys. It was such a great day.
                                                                                                           -Jess Dryden

Spiritual Retreat- Day #3

                   Day 36
               "In your pants"

I think Monday was probably my favorite day of Spiritual Retreat. You think it would have been Tuesday, right? But no, it was Monday.
It didn't completely have to do with the weather, but it was really nice to see the sunshine that day. People went swimming and I went and took pictures. Tera-Mae, MJ, Ben and I went for a walk to "heaven", AKA the farm up the road from the cottage. It's a really nice spot.
Then there were some conflicts that needed to be dealt with among the group, so we all came together and dealt with those conflicts.
Then since the weather was so nice, we had a campfire and set off fireworks. And we had s'mores, of course. I was wearing yoga pants! I'm officially in love with yoga pants.
We returned up to the cottage where we spent a good ten minutes arguing about the correct pronunciation of the word taco, until Tera-Mae came out and told us all to get to bed.
                                                                                                                -Jess Dryden

Spiritual Retreat- Day #2

Day 35

"And I can say welcome to the jungle"

Oh man, June 24th was a good day!

We went to Sunday morning church at Shannon Baptist. We always go there the Sunday of Spiritual Retreat . It's such a cute little church. And when I say little, I mean little. With our group of 20, we more than doubled the congregation. 

It was a good service though. They asked us to sing and everything. We hadn't really prepared anything, but we did "Father I Adore You" like we usually do when in doubt. 

After the service we went home and had some lunch. Afterwards, Tera-Mae, Ben and I went to pick up some fireworks. We also might have picked up a person, too.

So Tera-Mae, Nick, Ben and I went back to the cottage. We had an afternoon devotional on The Holy Spirit. We then had a short prayer and had dinner.

Then came my favorite part; quiet time. I love quiet time for so many reasons, but mostly because it's the only time during the week that everyone is actually quiet. Other than sleeping, but even then silence isn't guaranteed.

After quiet time, we had cheese s'mores. I know what you're thinking, but it's actually delicious. We spent the rest of the night talking about movies for my next list.

                                                                                                  -Jess Dryden

Spiritual Retreat

Day 34

"Hahaha, duties"

Meet Emma! She told me she always looks awkward in pictures..

I woke up way too early on the morning of June 23rd. I had to finish packing and finish up the devotional I had prepared for Spiritual Retreat.

Spiritual Retreat is a trip I take every year with my church. There's usually about 15-20 youth, and a couple of leaders. This was my sixth year attending. We go up to our youth pastor's parents' cottage for about 5 days. I was in desperate need to this trip. I just needed to get away from this crazy town. 

Saturday was a great day. We arrived at the cottage at around 3 PM. I amazingly didn't get sick on the car ride down. We had some time to get settled into our rooms and then we went over some rules. We had free time until dinner. After dinner, we had quiet time. I read my bible then dozed off into a nap. 

I woke up after like, two minutes and it was time for devo. Our devo was given by Tera-Mae. It was about preaching the gospel. We then had free time but I just went to bed. I <3 sleep.

                                                                                                            -Jess Dryden