Recently, Kate Mapes of Northwest TEC asked Ainsley Herd about her experience as a TECite. Here is Ainsley's perspective on her initial reluctance to attend the retreat and how the experience has changed her.
A friend invited me to TEC earlier this year. One of the reasons I said yes, though, was because she was not the first person to talk to me and say great things about TEC. I had many friends who always talked about what a great experience TEC was and what a great community you get to join. All of these people were right! TEC was an amazing experience for me. I felt completely changed by the end of my weekend. I felt so much closer to God. It wasn't as if I was told anything new, but I felt something new. It was like getting to know Him on such a deeper level. Imagine spending a whole weekend with one of your friends. You’re going to get closer with them and learn more about your relationship with them. That happened to me, but on a scale times 100.
The speakers on my TEC weekend were so brave. Some shared very personal stories all to help show us girls God’s wonder. A theme that showed throughout all the speakers’ talks was that God never gives up on you. He will always be there. You may not feel like it, but He is. You may not act like it, but He is. God will be there for you whenever you are struggling. He knows there will be struggle. He is prepared to be there with you through all of your life. This is something that I tried to take with me into the real world, my 4th day. My personal 4th day was not that difficult for me. That whole day I saw people from my weekend at school wearing TEC shirts. I was still feeling that God high. It was days following that were harder. I was able to stick through them with God. There were some people who did not understand God’s love and wanted to laugh and make fun of me because of it. I hope those people can find God. I hope everyone can feel what I felt on my TEC. It helped me to be more positive. If I’m struggling I just think of Him, and it becomes a little easier.
If I could talk to someone who is thinking about making a TEC, I only have two words; do it. It is scary. It’s scary to go into something you know very little about. It is scary to spend a whole weekend with people you do not know. But, the fact that you are even thinking about it means this is the right choice for you. God is planting that seed in your mind. He knows this is good and right for you. It might be hard for you, but try and have faith. Trust in God and His plan for you. Trust that with Him, everything will be alright.
