When I arrived home saturday night and sat on a bed, with a pillow, a bathroom a few steps away, and a glass of clean, cold water waiting for me…I didn’t even know how to begin processing the week of training camp (aka World Race initiation) we had all just gone through.
Seven days of absolute challenge. By far one of the hardest but best weeks I have ever lived – I loved every second of it.
This week of training opened my eyes to many practical challenges and experiences that are soon to come in just a month when we launch! here are 11 things I was affirmed of and that I learned:
1. The people you encounter and conversations you have are never a coincidence or mistake
2. Appreciate bathrooms that have a flushable toilet
3. when you hear music…dance. it’ll bring you joy, trust me.
4. Appreciate hot showers with a shower head…(5 days with no shower? oh thats nothing)
5. Headbands are girls best friend
6. Jesus is okay with you not being okay
7. Satan FEARS when we are obedient to Christ. listen to Him and GO!
8. No fork? No problem! we have gifts called hands that get the job done. especially when its mystery casserole.
9. Coffee? you mean one of my favorite things in the world?…yea won’t see too much of that this year. I treasure it even more now.
10. It is in laughter that we rejoice when things are not ideal (sleeping in a 2 person tent with 3 people and having your pack stolen for a day?- just laugh it out.
11. God is always sweeter, incredibly majestic, and truly sovereign.
These 11 lessons and reminders could not have come out if it wasn’t for the incredible family I finally got to meet and be a part of this week. L Squad, the incredibly encouraging warriors that I will be serving along side with for the next 11 months were perfectly handpicked. You are all my heroes and I cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for us these next months!
This week we also got placed into teams! The groups within L squad that we will be with for all 11 months. I was placed into an incredible team of ladies! Check out our first Team Conquerors pic down below. So excited and blessed to be with these incredible women.
This next month before we launch is already crazy! working, my incredible brother is getting married in just 19 days, family vacation the week before we launch, packing everything up and moving it to Charlotte, NC, getting last minute things done for launch, getting some needed shots, selling my car, saying goodbye to sweet friends, and fundraising as much as possible before leaving!
I feel so loved by all that has happened these past couple weeks, speaking at my church and receiving so much support (thank you Common Ground!), sharing my story and having so many friends want to become supporters. I could not be more thankful!
Fundraising update:
The next deadline is coming up! $7,500 needs to be in my account by August 18th! – oh it can be done. If anything, I have been so affirmed that our God can move mountains and money is nothing! will you join this team in support? whether monthly or one time, any bit helps! –> head to “support me!” on the left.
thank y’all so much for your prayers, and continual love. stay tuned.
ana maria.
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The incredible L Squad.
Team Conquerors! [Alany, Becky, Emily, Lynda, Natalie and I]
