I came home from camp on Saturday & I am still trying to process all that I am feeling. I have tried to sit down and write this post several different times and still cannot find any words to do justice.
Along with a million others things this past week has brought forth, I am learning how to sit, be still & listen to God’s voice. As I reflect on training camp one word comes to my mind over & over: Freedom
I believe that every person at camp can agree that no words, pictures or blog posts can even begin to describe the way God worked & moved mountains in everyone over the week. We were pushed to our limits physically, emotionally and spiritually. Waking up at 7 am every day for ”morning exercises”, going to sleep while cold, hungry, and some nights without your own tent & sleeping bag, and endless team building activities took more of a toll on me than I thought it would. I was pushed to my breaking points and when you are living in constant community there is little places to run away from those feelings. Training camp was where I met everything I ran away from in the past. But God met me right in the mess. And it was beautiful. And freeing.
There was plenty of things that happened this past week that I was not expecting. I did not think I would share 1 plate of food between 8 people for every meal, learn to pack my things up in less than 20 min before the sun even rises or that I am capable of sleeping in a hammock in the middle of the woods. But more than that, I certainly did not think of the changes and wreckage my heart would endure. Although I was not aware, I arrived at camp with my heart surrounded by walls, with God in a box and my pain pushed so far away I had almost forgotten about it. But in the most beautiful way, God graciously wrecked my world. Throughout the week I began to see how He was slowly peeling back the armor I held so tightly to, only to reveal the deepest, rawest, real part of me-which is exactly where He wants me. I am so thankful I answered the call out of my comfort zone. This week He taught me that “easy” and “familiar” will lead to complacency, and there is no growth in that. I now know that once I conquer one mountain, it’s time to conquer another, but that it’s always possible with my faith in Jesus. Life is not about reaching one level and relaxing, it’s about growth. I know I am made for more, to meet God on such a more intimate level, and there is such freedom in that. I have talents and gifts that God has placed within me, and I am finally allowing Him to show me how to use them and invest in them. Pure Freedom! I could go on for days about the amazing things that happened, but I think Jesus is going to show up in big ways & let that speak for itself.
I spent the week getting to know my entire squad who I know without a doubt was perfectly orchestrated by God. I never knew I could love people so much in such a short amount of time. Every single person is going to be used by God in great ways this next year and I cannot wait to get to know their hearts & to all challenge and love each other this year.
World, Meet D-Squad. My new & incredible family.
This week we also found out our individual teams, but that introduction deserves its own post!
My official launch date is July 3rd! We are to arrive in Atlanta June 30 then set out to Dominican Republic on July 3.
Thank you so much to all of my supporters, it means the world to me (literally)!I still need to meet my June 20 deadline of $7500. If you feel led to donate, click the “support me” link & send me out to the nations!!
