Oh man. I cannot believe that in less than 24 hours I will be IN Georgia, AT training camp!!! Am I ready? Nope. Far from it, actually. These past days have been some of the busiest days I have ever lived. My bedtime is most times after 1:30 am, sometimes even later. I have what feels like literally a million things clambering for my attention all at once, and none of it wants to wait. Sometimes I just run in circles and sigh. But, each morning when I open my sleepy eyes and stumble into the shower, I thank God for a new day and a healthy body. In the midst of the hectic schedules and long days, I rejoice in the goodness of God and the benefits He bestows on my life.
God has been blowing my mind recently. The fundraise dinner I had was a success over and beyond what I thought would be possible, and every detail, right down to the weather, was perfectly orchestrated by God. It was an evening of immense enjoyment. I wanted to have my fundraise t-shirts available for purchase at the dinner, but somehow I timed it wrong and thought I placed my order too late for the shirts to be here in time. I told God that I really, really wanted them, and asked prayed for a miracle. Each day I watched for an email and tracking info for the shirts, but- nothing. On the day of the fundraise dinner, after I already left home, my brother texted me and asked if he should bring the shirts to the dinner. I could not believe it! God did it again. How faithful He is, even in the tiniest details!
Another faith stretcher I had was concerning my tent. Due to a tear, I returned the tent back to the manufacture via UPS. I felt almost sick inside when I realized there was no way possible for me to have the tent in my hands again before training camp, without some seriously fast shipping. I prayed hard about it and then let it up to God. As it turns out, I do not have my tent and I’m leaving in less than twelve hours. Freak out?? Actually, no- because my tent is in Georgia, at camp, waiting for me now! Crazy close call. Crazy timing. But, God is taking care of me again.
So you see- God is proving over and over His faithfulness and continually challenging me to a deeper level of trust in HIS ability. He has the ability to make everything work, everything flow, and allows no detail to be overlooked, because He is God! I am learning to rest in Him and watch Him work. It’s so much more stress-free to let Him do the work than it is for me to frantically try to make it all work, and still come short. I am super stoked to see what God is going to do in my life in this next year. I know there are many lessons to be learned, and maybe even some mistakes to be made, but in the end, to have learned is what counts.
Training camp will be stretching, perhaps, but I think it will be oh so much fun. I’m excited to meet my squad mates face to face and begin the life-long friendships and connections that are to be had. We are created for community, so even though I love my independence, I am excited to give it up for the treasures that are to be traded. Please keep me and all of my team in your prayers this next week. Pray for unity and compassion to be strong in each of us. I believe that unity is one of the most important aspects of a team, and yet so often it is the lack thereof that tears people and ministries apart. The world needs to know about forgiveness, and freedom, and Jesus, and we must exemplify it.
Thank you to each of you who have donated finances, bought t-shirts, supported my dinner, and everything else you all have been doing. It means the world to see the outflow of your kindness and generosity to me as I prepare for this journey. Your support is in answer to my prayers.
If you feel further inspired to support me financially, go to the support me link in the upper right hand corner of my blog. My next goal is to have $10,000 by the beginning of December. (My personal goal is to be fully funded before I leave.) Also, you can sign up to receive my blog updates through email. Don’t forget to do that so you won’t miss an update!
I’ll see ya’ll later, because I’m off to training camp! Oh wait- I’ve got to do my packing first.
Toodles!
