Raider Awakening

There are events that can put us on a wonderful path full of love and happiness, and Raider Awakening did that for me. This weekend marks the 44th Raider Awakening retreat hosted for college students in Lubbock, and it makes me reminiscent of my own awakening eight and half years ago (#27, Trinity).

In the line to register for the retreat, I met a pretty blond haired girl. She was wearing an awkward t-shirt, featuring a prairie sunset and lonely windmill. Fast forward to today and you'll meet my most fashionable friend, Stacie Gasser. She is my closest friend and constantly reminds me how the power of friendship can pull you through anything.

During the retreat, I shared a room with a bubbly brown headed girl. She could talk, and talk, and talk some more. Fast forward to today and you'll meet my most sociable friend, Elizabeth Felderhoff. We've moved far, far away from each other, but every conversation feels like no time or distance has passed at all.

At the retreat, I saw a fun loving guy on the staff. He was extremely outgoing and knew everyone at the retreat. Fast forward to today and you'll meet my loving husband, Kevin Morris. He is the perfect match for me, and God brought us together for a beautiful marriage.

These retreats brought hundreds of wonderful people in my life. People who love their faith. People who love each other. And people who come together to support each other. Even after all these years, I can still feel the love in that retreat room that emanates from every person on Sunday morning.

That retreat lead to bible studies, praise and worship nights, adoration hours, rosary groups, more retreats, and the best memories. Today I pray for those retreating this weekend. I hope that God can give them some of the joy and happiness I've received through this retreat, because I know my life is richer for it.

To all those in the Raider Awakening family, know that I love you and miss you all!