I am the last person I ever thought would attend Kairos. What was I going to gain from spending three days at a convent in Atchison, Kansas A.K.A the middle of nowhere? Kairos is a retreat centered around faith and personal development. I was so negative about the retreat I hadn’t even been on that I waited until the very last opportunity to sign up. The only reason I didn’t drop out was because I wanted an excuse to miss school. I also wanted in on all the secrets since most of what occurs on Kairos is a surprise for attendees. All the talk about being “kai-high” from girls who returned seemed ridiculous to me. Despite my feelings of negativity, I pushed them aside and mounted the stairs onto the bus for Atchison with an open mind.

Kairos was not only a chance for me to grow in my relationship with God, but to grow closer with my peers. I thought I knew everything about my classmates. Before Kairos, I was pretty confident in my preconceived notions of girls not in my immediate friend group. I learned that everyone has a unique story and that everyone deals with their own battles.

I discovered my softer side and realized how okay it is to be vulnerable. It felt so satisfying to open up to my classmates and get things off my chest. I had heard how much crying was involved in Kairos, but I never thought I would shed a tear. We ended up shedding enough tears to fill a river. Crying brought us together in a weird way. I made connections with others I likely would have never made without the retreat.

This experience is one I wish all high schoolers could share in. My advice for those contemplating whether or not they should participate is why not? What do you have to lose? Go in with an open mind, and I promise you will leave with a full heart. K-55 has changed my life and I feel myself living differently everyday.

It may not make sense reading this, but you will understand what I mean when you have experienced it for yourself. I am so grateful to Kairos for helping me make new friendships and for playing a significant role in strengthening my faith life. The first day was doubt, the second cry, the third trust and the fourth live. Living the fourth means that the spirit of Kairos doesn’t just vanish when you leave Atchison. Instead, you keep it alive everyday, and I plan on continuing to do so.