McCarty Retreat

One of the fondest memories of my college days in San Marcos was hanging out at the student center, playing pool, wiffle ball, sitting around and just laughing, and sleeping on one of the couches. McCarty Student Center, the Church of Christ Bible Chair and its activities have helped so many be brought to Christ. Even more important to me, was the many hours we spent having Bible studies and various discussions (sometimes heated) that helped me learn so much. I am forever indebted for the memories and friendships that will be ingrained in my mind forever. John Moore and Ben Moseley took me under their wings and taught me so much. Friends like Clay Martin, Travis Herbelin, John Johanson, and Patrick Hammack challenged me and encouraged me like no one else. They helped sharpen me. I love them so much. I also have such fond memories of so many others like Jenny Becker, Cathy Anderson Springer, (little) Jon Moore, Carla Moore, Janet Moseley, Corinne Kettler Patterson, Wendy Scott Gibson, Loralee Ford, Jennifer Brooks O'Banon, Melissa Lamirand Hammack, Leslie Poenisch Spier, Ernie Lawrence, Jennifer Lengefield, Joanna Belton Martin, Cody Peavy, Jeremy Thompson, Joel and Michelle Guajardo, David and Heather Underwood, and Amber Weid Johanson (I'm sure I have left some out; there are just so many who have had an influence on me). It was just an all-around tremendous experience for me and many others.

And of course, meeting my wife Cody and dating her throughout my college years is the highlight. If not for any other reason, that it brought me and my wife together (in and of itself) is enough to know that McCarty has blessed me beyond what I deserve.

One of the most fun times we had was twice per year, going on retreats. In the Fall we would usually go to Hensel and in the Spring we would go to Leakey. Such is still the tradition there, even after the 11 years that have gone by since me and Cody graduated and left San Marcos.

In any event, this will be a very special weekend for me. I have been invited to speak at this Spring's retreat in Leakey. I can't even begin to say how much of a privilege and honor it is to be asked to do this but even more important than that, is simply the fact that I get to go and be a part of this environment again. McCarty means so much to me.... more than I can express in words and anything I can ever do for that cause, I will. It has brought so many people to Christ, created so many Godly families in bringing couples together, and has strengthened so many people's faith in God.

This weekend we will be studying the subject of prayer. Please pray for all of us this weekend that we may grow in our faith, knowledge, and wisdom, in our relationships with one another, and more importantly, in our relationship with our Creator.

To find out more about McCarty Student Center and the great things they are doing at Texas State University in San Marcos, you can go to http://www.mccartystudentcenter.com/