A Departure.

Leaving for an event, in a new place, with complete strangers, and being gone for ten days is always a little intimidating. In a few hours, I am leaving for Copperhill, Tennessee for Training Camp! I will be gone until the 29th. It's such a strange feeling, not really knowing what this week will look like. I am actually incredibly excited, but also pretty nervous. It is like freshmen move-in day all over again. This is going to be such a rich experience, though. I cannot wait to get to know the people I will be spending the next year with, traveling the world! This week, we will be given some more details that will better prepare us for our time away while growing closer to each other, and to the Lord. Training camp is going to give us a taste of what life will be like on the field and hopefully whet our palettes for adventure, growth, ministry, and Jesus Christ! AWESOME. I have a feeling this week will be wild and crazy. I am praying for challenge, growth, unity, and a deeper desire for the presence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in my life, and the lives of my teammates. 

The past week leading up to my departure was an interesting one to say the least.
Now, I have never been one to plan weeks in advance for things. I should have just been named Procrastination. So, of course, Wednesday rolls around and I am heading up to REI to buy all of my gear i.e. tent, backpack, sleeping bag….important things that I absolutely need this week since we'll be camping. I figured, Hey, I'll buy all my stuff Wednesday, pack on Thursday, and be ready to head out on Friday. No big deal, right? Well. I didn't think so, but apparently, when you go to a store to buy stuff, it is somewhat important to remember your wallet that has some form of payment in it. Guess who forgot her wallet? This girl. I had everything that I needed to buy in my hands, ready to be purchased, and then, as I was standing in line, I suddenly realized that my wallet was not where it should be. Let me tell you, I was so upset. I was just flabbergasted. So, needless to say, my awesome, last-minute packing plan was not going to come to fruition. So, I left REI, dejected and frustrated. All I wanted to do was pout for the rest of the day. But, on the car-ride home, a song came on and the lyrics went something like…

Let Your kingdom come, let Your will be done 

Let Your kingdom come as we lift You higher 

As we lift You higher

I was sitting there in the car, so upset that I couldn't get my stuff. I was so frustrated and feeling inadequate, unprepared, and small. I felt like the World Race was just too much for me. Clearly, I was overreacting :). But God met me in my car. He stopped me right then and there. THIS TRIP IS NOT ABOUT ME. I was making this minor incident into such a catastrophe! I was so ashamed. And how often I do this! Oh, how easily I forget the reason for my existence. How quick I am to put my problems, issues, insecurities on a the throne of my heart. I am so easily swayed by my own self. So. Training camp, the World Race, my life…..not about me. Absolutely not about me. This is all about the glory of the Lord. This is all for the kingdom of God. And this is what I am made for. To bring Him praise. I ask that you pray for me during camp. Pray that God is the center of my heart, my mind, my relationships, my teammates. Pray that He wrecks me and gives me a greater passion for Him and the ministry He has called me to. Pray that our aim, our vision, Christ, is sharpened and focused.

HOW EXCITING.

OH and something else that is SO exciting is the support that has been coming in!!! Let me just tell you what God has done. RIght now, there is $5,129.05 in my account! AWESOME! INCREDIBLE. God is good. So good. Again, thank you all for your continual support. How blessed we are, to be a part of the body of Christ. 
I don't know if all of you reading this have received one of my support letters. If you haven't and are interested in getting one, let me or my parents know! We'll hook you up!

Alright. 
Goodbye my dear friends.
I will be updating again in about a week.

Grace and Blessings, 
Andrea