I just had the most amazing experience at our first rising Sun conference. One of the cool incredible and miraculous experiences that we had revolved around a man we'll call Carl. He had a major breakthrough during the sunrise on Saturday morning overlooking Bear Lake. When the sun had finally come up Tyler went over to ask him how he was doing and could tell that Carl was feeling quite a bit of emotion. Carl had closed his eyes and was standing with his arms to his side. I had walked up towards him about the same time as Tyler and felt this intense urge to give embrace him. I stepped in and put my arms around him. And he reciprocated. We held each other for about 15 to 20 seconds and both cried. I don’t know exactly what he was feeling in his heart but I do know in that moment God gave us a sacred opportunity to feel his love through connection and Gratitude for the beauty surrounding us.
It was one of the pinnacle moments for me of the whole experience this weekend.
When I got home I was beyond exhausted. I felt like there was nothing left in the tank emotionally, physically, mentally and even spiritually. I had used it all. Over the 72 hours that I’ve been out at Bear Lake preparing and executing The retreat, I’d only gotten about 10 to 12 excited/anxious hours of sleep. I was on the verge of a crash and needed some serious sleep. I knew because of how terrible my stench was, sleep could only happen after I had taken a very thorough shower. We had a wild experience with some livestock so I was covered in cow shiz and my own personal swass and there was no hiding it hahaha. I had even given farewell hugs to some of the men at the retreat and seen poo smeared on their shirts haha. It was real.
While I knew I needed to shower before sleeping, I was also ravenous for food. I got the shower started and decided to run downstairs to see what was available for a quick snack. I saw two open game slices of pizza on the counter and instinctively grabbed them before heading back up. Because of the volume of pizza, I couldn’t eat it fast enough before getting to shower. I was pretty delusional and fatigued so my decision making processes we’re pretty primal. I got in the shower with the remaining slice of pizza haha. I was thoroughly enjoying it at first. I didn’t want soggy pizza so I had to hold the slice high to keep it from getting wet. That meant I only had one hand to add the body wash to the loofah. I stuffed the whole slice into my already full mouth...
That’s when Chels walked into the bathroom and said, “Hey, Martha (Carl's wife) sent us a really cool message. Here’s what it says...
‘He LOVED THE EXPERIENCE. He seems to have stepped into his manhood!! I don't think I have ever seen my husband so happy in my life. I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for the time, talents, means, love, camaraderie, battle, beauty (sunrises etc) adventure and light of Christ that was shared by the staff and leadership at the rising sons retreat. He loved the night drum activity, Chase!!! And Chelsea (my wife) the music you shared! Wow!! I could go on and on like he did for hours today! Wow. Thank you all!!!'"
The moment she started reading the message from Martha and upon hearing all of the positive feedback she poured out about her husband’s experience, I broke. I began to cry... So There I was standing in a hot shower washing cow poo off my body, with tears in my eyes, Pizza in my mouth, love in my heart, scrubbing my butt crack. God has has excellent timing.