Well, sometimes at the age of 14, life can be pretty hard. Especially for a girl. You know the issues....friends, clothes, make up, exams, etc. Luckily I'm quite a sensible girl and my friends and I are not the sort to go out drinking and do all the things you may expect from some teenagers! Oh, and in case you haven't realised, this is Alice :)
Ok, so here is the start of my story. I was standing awkwardly outside my school hall, greeting parents as they carried their tissues, sad about their 16 year old children growing up and having their last day at secondary school. I was very fortunate to be asked to be a prefect for the duration of the service as the year above me were on work experience. I heard my name being called by one of my favourite teachers. He pulled me to one side and told me about this retreat that is happening on the 1st of June for 4 days at a lovely mansion in Kintbury.
"It helps you to understand yourself better, feel more confident with yourself and to get in touch with God and your faith."
Suddenly my eyes lit up. I was beaming with delight to think I could experience an opportunity like that. And when I went home to tell Mum and Dad the first thing I decided to say was 'it's free' then my Dad's eyes lit up (:
"But," I interrupted, "it's £30 for the travel costs."
Then the smile on my Dad's face turned upside down. I have recently been on quite a few trips so it took a bit of persuading, but in the end Mummy managed to change his mind. I will have to do a crazy amount of chores though, but I am so happy about going on this retreat. My friend Caitlin will be sharing a room with me as all the rest of my friends do not want to go. My teacher said,
"That might not be a bad thing Alice, as all you'd do is talk, so it really wouldn't be like a retreat; more like school lunch times but for 4 days straight!"
I smiled and agreed with her, as that was probably very true! I decided to go onto the website of this retreat to show you some of the pictures. I found....
My retreat starts on Monday, in 3 days. I'm quite nervous as I have never done something like this before but I am also very excited. Mum and Dad say they would love to go to a retreat so I am very fortunate. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed my blog today (: I wanted to give mum a break as she has been away staying with Granny (who is not too well) in Salisbury but she back now. So have a lovely weekend and I hope to blog again soon.
Alice x
