Tom thoughts on day 4

Every year I come OBOC I was believe the reason for the success of this place is the community. Every year I bring youth to this program I see the power that removing some of the distractions from our lives to let us truly interact with each other. To get to know each other in a genuine way instead of through social networking websites, or through texting helps them to see the value in spending time in prayer, and community with each other. the experience of the sacraments on this "Holy Hill" helps them to see the sacrament in a way that is relevant to them, but instad of just longing for a chance to return this place equips them with the skills to see it happen in there own church.

Tori's thoughts on day 4

This is our last full day at OBOC. We leave tomorrow. My time here has flown by incredibly too fast. Last night, we all went to confession. It was great. We got to sit in the monk seats. It feels so great to know my sins have been forgiven by the Lord, our God. He died for our sins and now he forgives them. I feel so much better now! Immediately following confession, we all went outside the Archabbey church and gave each other the sign of peace. Since we were feeling so much better lots of people were giving each other hugs. It was nice. The barrier of our sins, separating us all has been removed. We were just like one giant community. The community we all formed in the past four days. Before the conference we were all strangers to each other. Now we are brothers and sisters in God's name. The Lord is always with you. Through all of life's ups and downs. God made you and your life the way he intended.

Day 3 Tor's thoughts

The past three days at OBOC have been fun and full of prayer. I can just feel God's presence with me wherever I go. Yesterday we went and prayed with the monks. They pray differently then us. They pray slower and much quieter. It was very interesting. I am tired by lack of sleep, but the days are so action packed. They are inspirational and moving. I am learning so much! Past the learning, we have lots of fun. Our morning session with Fr. Godfrey is funny he is hilarious. We learn and laugh at the same time. Last night just for some fun , we had a dance everyone was dressed for there favorite holiday, and we all went out and danced the night away. The food is so good as well. This retreat was designed to bring us closer to God and one another, and it is working. God is always with us.

Tori's thoughts of day 2 here at OBOC.

I have been here for 2 days now at OBOC (One Bread One Cup) and I don't think it could possibly get better. I have learned so much! I truly feel like I better person in God's eyes. We might not get much sleep, but I sure am having a blast. The monks are hilarious. I have met a couple of new friends from other parishes and cities. We are learning so much about the word of God. He cares so much for us, and He gave up his life for us to live. He wants us to spread the Word of God to make more believers. Life doesn't work the way you want it to, life works the God wants it to. Things happen for a reason, and the reason is how God intended for it to happen.

Here is one of the vidoes

Blake was attempting to win a competition where he worked with one other person to try and get the highest score. This was blakes attempt to help his team.

Other movies

there are at least two other movie worth seeing and maybe a third. I don't have time to post them but keep looking after we get back and hopefully they will appear.

Tom

Austin's thoughts on thursday

Austin- This week was fun. My group worked in an old convent turned rehab center. The building was in bad condition. My group was working with Blake's group. The work was difficult and tedious. We began the week thinking all we had to do is paint. Little did we know we had to fill the holes in the wall, sand the puttied holes, prime, then paint. This was a wrong guess however. The work was longer than we expected it to be with many more things to be done. The first day's labor was difficult and we thought that what we did was good, however we had to come in the next day and re-do pretty much all of it over. Wednesday we came in and got on the work. We did a lot to the point we finished early today. We have evening program every day. Yesterday we did something called four corners, where people went to the corners of the gym and talked about their feelings and prayed with the adults. I didn't really know what to do so I just sat there. This week was fun and we did good work. It was a good experience overall.