Hello! It's been a minute since I have posted and wanted to update ya'll on what I have been up to recently.
A few posts ago I shared with ya'll my journey with Christ so far and I have been pursuing my relationship with God and finding all ways possible to just connect with Him and learn more. Three weeks ago I found myself at the doorstep of the Garrett Building on Bradley University's campus. I remember last year my cousin, Hannah whom works for Cru, invited me to come check it out but at the time I wasn't interested and was struggling in my personal life in finding myself. But here I was, a year later with her and a few dozen other ICC and Bradley students on a Thursday night showing up to worship Christ and build a relationship not only with Him, but with one another.
It was all very overwhelming, but in a good way. Everyone was just so friendly and welcoming, all thriving for the Lord, and that's what made it truly so special.
Fast forward a few weeks and I somehow found myself at their Cru Fall Getaway. In all honesty I was very nervous and unsure about what to expect and how I would feel after going.
I feel AMAZING. I was able to connect with my cousin there and grow our relationship more through Christ and learning from her was very heartwarming. Knowing that it wasn't just me who had gone through some tough times before finding God and that I wasn't alone on this journey.
I was able to open my heart up with people I had just met or barely known, and that was huge for me. It was consisted of Cru members from seven campuses in the area (Bradley, Western, ISU, Eureka, ICC, Heartland, and OSF). Being a complete introvert, if I thought joining Cru was overwhelming at first, I was now surrounded by close to 200 students. I got to meet people who shared the same passion and love I too have for Christ, connect more with students from the Peoria Cru, and hear from Mark Johnson throughout the weekend as he led amazing Worships.
Other than those things, I felt I was able to open my heart up to God in a way that's indescribable and made me feel free. Hearing testimonies from students my age, joining in small groups to discuss what led us to Christ, and spending alone time to talk with God was uplifting. There I realized just how important it was to surround yourself with people who you can share the love for Christ with and that also encourage and support you to be the best you.
Before leaving we were asked to share one thing that surprised us the most about Fall Getaway and for me it was this - it was better than what I was expecting. Never been to one of these things before, hardly knowing anyone there, and just overall nervous on not knowing what to expect - it was amazing to say the least. Not only was I able to build relationships with those with me, but my relationship with God is that much stronger and I feel that much closer with Him than I ever expected.
Since I began to seek my Heavenly Father and please Him through this personal relationship with Jesus Christ, by being obedient to His commands in the Bible, He has been so faithful in my life in adding those things that I had so deeply desired within my heart. Those desires being able to build relationships in my life and meeting people who loved Jesus Christ more than anyone or anything else, people I could share Christ with - not about.
I take great comfort in knowing that God is faithful to complete that which He has begun in me through my personal relationship with Jesus Christ my Creator.
Until next Fall Getaway,
- B
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