Last Full Day of the Gathering and the 4th of July!

 Thursday started out much like the past two days with a complimentary breakfast and a walk. But this time, we walked straight to the Alamodome for a Mass Worship service with the whole gathering. The service was an incredible experience, with 25,000 people all responding in unison with Reverend Harrison. Everyone seemed to feel right at home as we sang and followed familiar liturgy. Then, we took communion with the whole gathering, everyone being dismissed by row, just like at home. Once we received the blessing, we left the dome and split up for lunch. 

After, we regrouped and took in all of the fun booths the convention center held. This meant another (totally nessasary) TEMPORARY hair coloring, doing other activities and a whole lotta FREE STUFF (pens, keychains,and mini frisbees). We headed to our sessions, which included things like a play about knowing your true identity in Christ and other leaders that spoke about media addiction, and how to live your faith in today's world. The day went by quickly, and once again we found ourselves in the Alamodome for the second time that day, but this time for the mass event. This particular event was all about living loved, and knowing just how loved all of God's children are.

Our guest speaker, Jessica Stevens, was a 25 year old woman who had gone through quite the medical ordeal. When she was sixteen she contracted Lyme disease, and battled with reoccurring RSD. She told us how every time she thought she lost faith God would always bring her back. Everyday she found something to be optimistic about. Her story was extremely moving, and  the good news is that she has been in remission for a year. For many, if not all of our youth, this hit home. We related to her in a way we had not for any other speaker. Feeling a strong sense of togetherness and love, all 28 of us excused ourselves from our seats, came together in the hallway, and held onto each other as we gave each other support. We have all felt unity before, but it was never like this. We felt strong and weak at the same time, but in addition to that complex emotion, we felt whole and loved. It was a while after we sought out where to see the fireworks.

Soon after we got down there, the fireworks of San Antonio started, dazzling us in every shape and size! All in all, it was a unexpected but much needed end to a long day for the youth group.