Hoedown Throwdown
Last week, my friend Monica asked me, “Hey, do you want to get off campus? Come to Cru Fall Getaway!” Even though I wasn’t a member of Cru, which is a Christian ministry on campus, I was excited to hop out of the Vandy Bubble for a weekend!
In an idyllic retreat called Camp Linden, we got out all our wiggles from school. The first night, we played Capture the Flag, and even though some people and I were stuck in a jail for most of a round, we kept ourselves entertained with really silly jokes and much scheming. For instance, some of the prisoners planned a jail break and (playfully) tackled our mocking jailer. Then we spent all day together, singing worship songs, playing practically all the “-ball” sports, eating and chatting, and cooing at the adorable toddler who tagged along on this trip.
Saturday night was the Hoedown! One excited Californian kid initially thought it was going to be a wrestling match, but quickly realized that this was going to be one epic dance party. Tickle and Pudge were the ridiculous guest artists of the evening, spontaneously improvising their fiddle and guitar duo with silly tunes. Two girls even taught us how to square dance! Some of my friends and I were absurdly uncoordinated at the dancing, so we resorted to playing outrageously fun games of four-square and attempting to catch jumbo marshmallows with our mouths after tossing them high over the rafters.
This weekend had a profound impact on me. We attended three different sessions, and our speaker taught us so much: the motivations and purpose of my life, how to dignify, serve, and care for others, putting their needs over mine, and the theme of “re:think | re:connect | re:act” really resonated with me and has inspired me to change the mentality of my daily life.
Everyone, from the leaders to the Cru kids, spread their arms wide open and genuinely welcomed each other with so much love and affirmation! Past all the physical activities of the day, we were blessed to hear those great messages, challenged and connected with each other in discussion groups, and built rather spectacular friendships that will endure past this weekend back to life on campus.
On Sunday, after a lunch stop at Zaxby’s, we returned home to Vanderbilt in our Disney-themed car. Going into this retreat, I didn’t know many people in Cru, but coming out of it, I now feel like a part of their great family. I can’t wait to see all of them again at an upcoming illusionist show at the SLC Ballroom called the Maze!