TEC

A few weekends ago I went on a retreat known as TEC or Teens Encountering Christ. Juliana Alvey invited me to go after repeatedly telling me just how awesome it was. It didn't take much convincing. The cost was $90 in advance and $100 if you didn't turn the paperwork in early. It wasn't a bad price for a three day retreat. I must admit I was kind of nervous. I only knew a few people and I had no idea what would happen let alone I had to drive 2.5 hours to get there. I've never driven that long in one trip and I would be alone, the possibility for getting lost couldn't get much higher. I was excited though. I waited until the very last possible second to pack (it was that morning) and took off.

Tec was exactly where I needed to be that weekend. I needed the community of love and support, the reconnection with my faith, I needed Tec. The week before Tec was.....difficult to say the least. To be honest it was down right awful. I felt sick every morning and it took all the energy I had to get out of bed, not to mention my eating habits. I never went without food but I would have to tell myself to eat since I wasn't hungry most of the day. I started to drown and Tec was my life vest.

I learned two major things: friendship and awkwardness. That is what Tec was about for me. My table name was the Awkward Dancers and boy were we awkward. Everything about us screamed awkward including our table discussion or lack there of. Our group was pretty stellar though. We were able to enjoy each other even in the silence. The other members of our awkwardness were Kristi, Bobby, and Peter. Kristi lived in Seneca and she always offered stories about her family. She didn't ever really complain about anything and she always seemed to be enjoying the life she had. Bobby likes to fish. He lives in Overland Park or near there. He had actually been to Raymore and throughout the weekend told me we had some good ponds. Most of his answers for discussion included his parents which I must admit is pretty cool. I've never met them but I know they are amazing if they provide all those things for him. Peter was from Nebraska. His sister works for the diocese and was our music coordinator. She invited him to go and play his guitar. Peter didn't have an opinion except he loved Nebraska and the color Green (awesome right?). Megan D. decided his favorite animal was a lion (I think). We probably had the most diverse group and the most awkward. We embarrassed it though. They helped teach me to be proud of my awkwardness and stay true to myself. It provides many laughs and much joy.

Friendship was the biggest lesson I took from that weekend. Father Mike taught us or at least me a lot about it. Your friends should challenge you and the ones that challenge you most will be your best friends. I am blessed with a good amount of friends that do challenge me. Brooke, Kristen, Andrew, Krissy, and Megan probably challenged me the most.(Another post later on will be dedicated to the people that challenge me) Fr. Mike was amazing. He gave me the extra push I needed and showed me how to cope when things seem impossible. He said I should buy a crucifix (having something visual helps more) and when I don't think I can get through the day I just hold in my hands and remember what Jesus did, how he bore his cross. This is my cross right now and I'm not alone. He is helping me carry it just like he was helped. I haven't bought one yet but it's on my lists of things to do. Fr. Mike helped restore the faith that I was starting to lose.

I regained a friendship that weekend as well as obtained many new ones. I reconnected with someone who I used to be pretty close too. I'm....ecstatic that she was there. It gave us a deeper connection and brought us closer together in our faith journey. It wouldn't have been nearly as great without her. My new friendships are also amazing. As of late I've been hanging out with my resource Shannon. We have the same sense of humor and we help each other be insanely awkward. I love her. Another super awesome person is Mary. I've known her for awhile but we hadn't ever really been friends. Now we have our own special greeting which is extremely childish, loud, slighly embarrassing, but mainly extremely fun. I also met a guy I kinda went to Catholic School with. His brother ended up being in my grade and we know many of the same people since he is only a year younger than me. I love all the TEC people and I can't wait til our reunion to see them.

TEC defenitly is no Search but it is still amazing in its own way. I look forward to the many TEC teams I'll participate in and highly encourage everyone to attend TEC. The next two are in August and November. The cost is 90 if you sign up 2 weeks prior and it goes up to 100 if you wait til the last minute.