On September 13, I embarked on my first ever trip with LCM to Waynesville, NC. We left Clemson aroundfour o’clock that day and arrived at the “Chicken House.” To understand why it was called the chicken house, one would have to walk in and see that everything was chicken themed. Later that night we had Bible study where we discussed our theme for the weekend “Servants of the Servant.” Which got us talking about how Jesus washed the disciples feet at the last supper, we did something I had never done before wash people’s feet. I was unsure about this idea at first because feet just gross me; however, it won’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I would have to say it was a very humbling experience. That night we also drew pictures of ourselves on construction paper and we cut them out and hung them up on the wall. We had discussed earlier about spiritual gifts and that weekend we were supposed to help people discover what they were. The next morning we woke up bright and early and went hiking in the North Carolina Mountains. After a long day of hiking, we traveled to Dillsboro where we visited many shops and my new personal favorite the Jarret House. In the Jarret House you could see where they had just kept adding room to the building because so many people went there and ate. If you left there hungry, it was your own fault. The cool thing about Dillsboro that I thought was the way all the shops were all houses converted into shops. That Sunday we left after having worship together.    

Adam Nichols

            The Fall Retreat was a joyful, growing experience for all involved.  We focused on what it means to be a servant, and all the different ways it can be accomplished in our everyday lives.  A servant cares for and loves the ones around them in many ways.  We can be servants volunteering in our community, leading an event, or even just sending a smile to a stranger we pass on the sidewalk.  As we talked about some biblical servant figure I came to realize that we all are servants in different ways.  There is not how-to guide to loving and care, we each have to grow to understand how the gifts God has blessed us with enable us to serve others.

            The Fall Retreat wasn’t all bible study and discussion; we had our fair share of adventures and fun (not saying bible study isn’t fun!).  We went on a beautiful day trip to the Blue Ridge parkway and took some hikes.  I can’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday than in the midst of breathtaking mountains with friends.  Then we ate.  And ate.  Dinner at the Jarrett House was delicious and decidedly filling. 

            The fall retreat was a highlight of the semester for me.  I got to know many of our new LCM faces better, relax in beautiful scenery, and learn a about faith and myself.  You just can’t beat it.

Callie Heyne