SEED: Lyrics to my heart

SEED Retreat in Idyllwild, CA
July 22-24, 2011

Before SEED, I was a little nervous because I thought it would be boring. But, it turns out it was fun. After SEED, I end up loving it and wanting to come back. One challenge was the scavenger hunt. It was difficult, but it was fun. What remains in my heart were the SEED leaders, my friends, team mates, and of course the weekend of SEED.

Love,
Alyssa Mai Tran
11 years old

▪ ▪ ▪

SEED is so special to me. =) It was my first retreat and I didn't think I would like it, but I loved it. The friends I made there will always remain in my heart, <3. In SEED, you learn about God, sing of Him, and in some way, become closer to Him. Before I came, I was like, "No, I don't really want to go. It's not my thing. Why?" After the retreat, I said, "Wow. That was fun...that was reallyfun!...mind-blowing."


For me, the challenge was sharing. I would usually be really kind of nervous and that's I guess the emotional part, but this experience has helped me open up more. :) Another challenge was the scavenger hunt, but that's what makes it fun. The moments of grace for me was when we shared in our little group and reflected before confession. SEED has made me grow closer to God & remember Him more often. Being at SEED made me feel really good and happy. I am really glad I came and will probably go next year. =)

Monica Yen Nguyen
14 years old

▪ ▪ ▪

Before Seed: I was super excited and a little bit nervous
After Seed: I was glad that I came and I wanted to come back next year. The whole weekend was worth repeating. I felt that Seed has taught me a lot and has opened my eyes to the beauty of God's love.

At first it was hard sharing, but as the retreat went on, I became more comfortable with the people in my group. I felt I was in a moment of grace when I felt light and relieved after I threw my rock as far as I could. The rock was filled with all my stress, worries, and other negative thoughts.

After experiencing the grace of God during the retreat, I want to continue to experience God in my daily life. With the help of SEED, I now have the ambition, the courage, and the desire to take a leap of faith and put my trust in God.

Marcellin Truong
15 years old

▪ ▪ ▪

Before coming to SEED, I didn't really know what to expect because I've been to a couple of retreats, but never have I gone to one which I really didn't know anyone. Not to mention that I was also nervous too. Gradually as SEED went by, I was able to meet new people and be more open in sharing and such. Through SEED I was able to understand myself more, and get to know God more too. I have to say, the method the SEED leaders used were really good such as the activities, talk, and just their input. It was also nice being around people around my age with the same belief as me. It helps you understand others and being able to develop from that. Even though I attend a private school, I don't really get the opportunity to do that. Leaving SEED I will always remember the memories from the activities we did, to the sharing of our faith. I really do hope to attend next year's SEED retreat!

Victor Nguyenbui
14 years old

▪ ▪ ▪

Before SEED, I didn't want to go at all. I felt forced, and it was something I wouldn't like. It wasn't something I, myself, would get excited for. I felt that GOD's grace was strongest at the time of the examine. HE was close in my heart as I reviewed the day. I had some difficulties accepting SEED. I was very closed-minded, so I did pray for an open mind. The people I met will definately stay in my heart. I'm the kind of person who think family & friends will never leave my heart, and the friends I met there are people who I think are great friends. At the end of SEED, I learned a few things and met lots of people. In some ways, SEED was good for me.

Clara Nguyen
13 years old

▪ ▪ ▪

When I came to SEED, I was hoping that I would be able to find and understand myself better while growing closer to God and meeting new people. Through activities, talks, and faith sharing, I was able to accomplish all of these goals. At times during SEED, it was hard to share with others what I was thinking and feeling as we prayed, but as I got to know everyone, I was soon comfortable with faith sharing. SEED has helped me to grow as a person and has taught me to be able to put my faith in God. Being with people my own age that have the same beliefs as I do has helped me to strengthen my faith. Every SEED is a new experience that helps me to grow and learn what I would never have been able to on my own. I am already looking forward to next year's SEED!

Catherine Quynh Trinh
11 years old

▪ ▪ ▪

the lyrics to my heart –
a poem on s.e.e.d.1 california
by cami dang

the lyrics to my heart
discovered just last weekend
no real end and no true start.

whispered through the wall
in the dark of night, in the midst of day
through the white and past the grey.

i felt GOD
stronger than ever before.
in the whisper of the wind
the murmur of the fire
the hush of the night.
the lyrics to my heart.

pieces of yarn and a single rock
sins and affirmations.
in the stillness of the light
in the darkness of the day
tears come to my eyes
strings come off my fingers.

confession in the quiet of the room
the door closed shut
the window slid open.
my sins poured out
my sins forgiven.

faith-sharing in the night
a candle in the center
a candle passed around.
the unsaid words
the whispered reflections
the spoken sharings.

s.e.e.d. was the lyrics to my heart.

the lyrics to my heart
discovered just last weekend.
no real end and no true start.

Although the poem that I’ve written may not make any sense to you, you can probably tell that I really enjoyed my first S.E.E.D. retreat. It was definitely one of the highlights of my summer. I learned so much about myself, other people, and God. I’m so extremely thankful for all of our retreat leaders: Bethany, Diana, Frank, Jeannie, John, and Jon. S.E.E.D. means so much to me. This retreat is something that I will never forget and something that will remain in my heart always. I can’t wait for the next S.E.E.D. retreat in California! (:

Cami Dang
13 years old

▪ ▪ ▪

S.E.E.D. has always been a big part of my summer ever since joining Hat Cai. It is something I look forward to every year. For this SEED in particular since it was the very first in California, I knew it had to be special. At the same time, this was my third time as a leader so I was not nervous. I wanted us to do our best as a team. It was my time to help empower other members of Hat Cai and watch them grow to love SEED as much as I have. After SEED I found myself feeling more at ease because I now that future SEED retreats are in good hands. The tradition will continue on. Seeing all the kids who have never experienced a weekend like this also gave me great joy. Many of them expressed their happiness and excitement for future SEEDs. They experienced something new and grew closer to God. Also having the parents see that this is a great opportunity for their kids is wonderful. I am over joyed at the impact that SEED had on the kids, parents and the leaders.

Some of the moments of graces were when I was talking with the teens in a small circle. Sharing our stories and experiences and being open to what each other has been through. I only wish that we had more time to share and talk to one another. Another grace was when we did our affirmation prayer. With this prayer the teens were asked to tie a string around the finger if they (i.e. have ever lied, cheated, forget to pray, betrayed someone, etc). After wards they took turns removing the strings of their peers, therefore removing each others sins and burdens. Seeing the kids excited and interacting with one another made us very happy.

Some challenges that we knew would come up was trying to get past the first day, getting to know each other and break down barriers. Some of the kids were shy so it was harder to get them to open up but as the retreat went on we noticed a big change in their openness.
Another challenge was the two different buildings. I think the altitude and the driving back and forth between buildings made us a bit more tired then usual.

After leaving SEED and reflecting on all the graces I found myself with a deep desire in me. I feel that I am being called to continue to serve the Lord and our community. Since I am no longer at UCI I will not have Hat Cai to lean on as much for my spiritual connection. I know many of my peers who have graduated from Hat Cai before me who have been wanting a group like Hat Cai for older adults (for instance 21 and up) We want a place and group were we can continue to gather and share our faith. Hopefully in the future we will have a group like this. Seeing all the parents together makes me want to be just like them 10 years from now. I want to sign my kids up for SEED and be able to hang out with all of my friends in the parent group. I want SEED to continue and flourish. I would love to be a part of the planning process to help SEED spread across the US. This is a retreat that will benefit many and should be opened up for others to experience all the graces.

With Christ's Love,

Diana Pham
Hạt Cải Retreat Leader

▪ ▪ ▪

I first heard about SEED my first year at UCI from a previous SEED Arizona leader Chris Pham. The moment he told me about it, my heart was set on becoming a SEED leader. Sadly due to family events and other things, I wasn't able to make it to the meetings for SEED that summer. When Diana first announced SEED this year for California and Arizona...I think I was the first one to volunteer. It's basically what I've wanted to do since a year and a half ago.

Coming to SEED I had no idea what to expect. I was the only one in the group who has never been on a SEED retreat as a leader or a retreatant so that definitely was one of the things I had to overcome, not knowing what was ahead for me. I also had two finals the three days after SEED so I knew after SEED, I would be getting even less sleep studying for them. Although I knew what was ahead for me after SEED, I never once regretted going to SEED.

Planning for SEED was a month long process where our whole group would either meet online or in person to talk things through and gather supplies and other things we needed to put on this retreat. We put a lot work and effort into this retreat but the only thing I wanted to see at this retreat were the smiles and laughter of all the families at SEED...and that's exactly what I got. After the intro skit, poster making, ad the games the first night, I already knew it was all coming to SEED.

The second day is probably the day when I really felt the graces of God. That was when what we worked so hard for finally started to pay off. I was a leader in the Teen Track and I was privileged enough to get to meet my five zebras. My talks with them were pretty basic, but I felt like we got to talk about what we needed to talk about. Just surface talks were sufficient because it was the first SEED in California, so next year for the second SEED we will be sure to go more in depth.

After SEED was over, I definitely felt a wave of exhaustion overcome me on the way home from retreat. The only thing I wished for was to have more time with my group. I had so much to share and so much to teach that I only go to through about half the stuff I wanted to. Other than that, I couldn't have asked for a better retreat. SEED was perfect and I'm glad to have been a part of the first California SEED. Thank you everyone for giving me the opportunity to serve you, and I will gladly do it again.

As for my little zebras, Aaron, Cami, Catherine, Clara, and Therese, you guys will forever be in my heart as my first group I ever led for SEED, let alone any other religious retreat. So if you guys need to talk to me about anything, seriously anything, you know where to find me.
...
ACTUALLY, any of you can contact me whenever you'd like...except my zebras will be special-er. Just kidding, everyone's just as special.

Thank you everyone and God bless!

-Jonathan Cheung
Hạt Cải Retreat Leader

▪ ▪ ▪

Christ has no body now but yours

no hands, no feet on earth but yours

Yours are the eyes through which He looks

with compassion on this world

Christ has no body now on earth but yours…

As the ebb and flow of the very first SEED retreat in California settle down, I welcome this silent moment to reflect on our unique journey. I attended the very first SEED retreat in Arizona six years ago, organized by the Dong Hanh family group “Nazaret,” and led by the Hat Cai retreat masters. Since then, God has persistently stirred the desire in some of us to bring SEED to California. We shared the dream of helping more children encounter God, taste the sweetness of His love, and develop a life changing relationship with Him.

In my heart, SEED goes far beyond a mere retreat for children. It opens door for family to go on Ignatian retreats together. It offers young adults room to grow spiritually and personally when they become involved in planning for SEED and taking on leadership roles. While preparing retreat materials for children, young adults are being formed and transformed, for they themselves have to deal with fundamental questions such as who God is to them, who they are, what their gifts and talents are, and how they live out family and community lives. SEED also offers unprecedented opportunities for parents: companionship with children in their faith journeys, formation in Ignatian Spirituality, a forum for exchanging parenting skills, and time for healing and improving marital relationships.

What I witnessed in Idyllwild was the body of Christ being at work. I saw helping hands washing the dishes, carrying out the trash, cleaning up the facilities. I watched hurrying feet rushing from one house to another to prepare daily meals. I noticed caring eyes watching over the kids, looking for a chance to contribute. I listened to the voices of Christ sharing the joys and sufferings of marital lives and raising children. I spotted the “crashing” of the SEED retreat leaders during the breaks, trying to pump new energy into their bodies. I caught glimpses of Christ, in the laboring of His body parts. As in the square game, SEED would not have been possible without each of the SEED participant giving him-/herself to others. We are gift to one another.

What remains in me is a deep sense of gratitude. Like Mary, our saying yes to SEED is just the beginning of a blest journey that is filled with graces and divine surprises. Like the children my heart whispers “I want to come back next year!”

Sophie Thanh Dung
Parent

▪ ▪ ▪

SEED 2011 in Southern California

I regret deeply that my family could not attend the 2010 SEED retreat in Arizona for children aged 6 to 18. My kids love going to SEEED because they will meet old friends, Hat Cai retreat leaders there, and especially experience the loving presence of God.

I strongly desired bringing SEED retreat to California. In a Dong Hanh Southwest Region meeting, I voiced my desire and every one consented that there was a great need for children retreat. After a few months, I asked other Dong Hanh members to search for an appropriate retreat house. Binh, Dung, and Phuong Ha joined me in the quest, and we also coordinated with Hat Cai retreat leaders. Finally, thanks to God’s providence, we had two beautiful locations to choose from. We selected the vacation house in Idyllwild, and Dung signed the contract with the owner.

During our annual Dong Hanh Southwest Region Fundraising, we advertised SEED and started signing up retreatants. I quickly volunteered my cooking skills. At our local church called “An Phong” in Pasadena, I went around advertising SEEED to those families with children in the age group of 6 to 18.

I was so grateful that 61 people registered for SEED: 6 Hat Cai retreat leaders, 32 children, and 23 parents. I thanked God for opening the parents’ hearts to let their children attend SEED. I sensed that all I could do was to spread the word about SEED and God would do the rest to “move” people.

On the way to Idyllwild, I was exhausted because of the mountainous two hours drive. When I arrived to the retreat house, I was touched by my sister’s sharing that they had to stop the car several time because Phuong and Thuy got really sick and had to throw up. I felt deep compassion for them because no one expected the road to be that difficult. I forgot to ask them to take seasick pills.

Phuong, Thuy and I then prepared the dinner. Everyone enjoyed pasta and bread sticks. After dinner, the children and adults started with their programs. I stayed in the kitchen to prepare breakfast for Saturday morning. I observed how the kids, led by Hat Cai retreat masters, enthusiastically sang and followed the movements. I also noticed some children who were quite shy. I asked God to open their hearts.

The Friday program ended at 10:30 pm and everyone rushed to go to bed. Since I had to share the room with five other people, I was so worried that my “snoring” might disturb other people that I could not sleep at all. I asked God to give me strength.

On Saturday evening, I felt exhausted and my back hurt because of the cooking and barbecuing all day long. Dung offered to massage my back but I refused, joking that her massage would not equal the chair massage at my home.

When SEED entertainment night started, I observed that all the kids had bonded and performed beautiful and meaningful skits.

The adults also performed a skit that moved me to “joyful” tears. I noticed that God was working in everyone, from young to old. My exhaustion disappeared, and I had a wonderful sleep. Thank God for those wonderful gifts!

After spending three days with one another, I thanked God for opening everyone’s heart. I saw smiles, tears, friendship, gratefulness in the children and their parents. I am already dreaming for the 2012 SEED retreat!

See you all next year at SEED 2012!

Nguyen Thu Huong
Parent