Amanda's Experience ~ First off, just from what my friends had been telling me in Youth Group, I was extremely excited. I barely slept the night before. The bus ride there was long! Too long, but maybe that was just because I was so excited. Everyone from CT who was going to Steubenville made a pit stop at St. Anne's Shrine and seeing as though this was my first year, when everyone started singing nd dancing I felt just a tad out of place. But, as the weekend progressed it got much better. I remember getting out of the bus and lugging my 100 lbs of stuff to the tent (Note to New Commers: Pack light). Just looking at the massive tents set up I was amazed at all the people. I mean, all the teenagers who actually gave up one weekend of summer to go and excercise their faith. But by the end of the weekend I knew exactly why they all came. It was an absolutely awesome experience and I wish they had enough room so everyone from out church could go. I remember the first night when all of us (well over 2,000 teenagers) were sitting in the tent and they were going through a speech and introducing people. I remember thinking, "God forgive me but if this is what is going on all weekend why did I come?" God showed why I came on Saturday night during Adoration. No words can describe the feeling I got or the thoughts that ran through my head like a scroll that night. I don't want to ruin it for anyone who might come next year, but I must tell you; think of the best time you have had in your life and multiply that by a million. That's how much fun I had at my weekend at Steubenville East. I don't know how many of you know but this year's theme was "Set Free" to be set free, and they would continuously play the theme song, but after Adoration, the song to me made sense. Before Saturday night it was just a song but after it was real to me. It took on a whole new life inside of me. The entire weekend is one huge concert. So, I urge everyone who can to come and if you don't enjoy it, what can I say..It really amazes me what can happen when you throw a lot of love for each other and God into one very large tent. You make new friends and hang out with people you normally would never associate with. I know that's what happened to me.
<3 God Bless <3
Amanda |
