TRAINING CAMP WAS CRAZY. If you don’t know what training camp is, it’s essentially a trial run of the actual race with a lot of love and laughter and teaching and worshipping packed in there as well. It was 10 days of crazy with the squad that I’ll be serving with for the next year. Our squad is composed of 37 lovely, shiny racers, 3 exquisite squad leaders who have been on the world race before who will embark out onto the field with us and lead us in ways that only they can, and a handful of awesome squad mentors who will be one of our main support systems back in the states (shout out to Renee and Amy and David! We love you guys!)
I’ll have to post a separate blog about all the wonders of training camp (and believe you me, there were many), because right now there’s something else we need to talk about. Sometimes friendship can happen fast. Sometimes it’s just like Jonathon and David—the original BFFs:
After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.—1 Samuel 18
And so, let me introduce you to some of my new friends—amazing and kind and determined and adventurous and God-filled people who all said yes when it would have been easier to say no.
AN OPEN LETTER TO ISQUAD
Cody W.—Cody, you’re awesome. You have such a strength about you, and I can’t even count how many times I saw you praying alongside someone else one-on-one. You’re heart for the Lord is incredible and you taught me all about pterodactyls and you single-handedly cooked all that chicken and just know that I appreciate you so much! (also sorry I called you Nick that one time)
Ronny W.—RONNY. Where even to begin. Probably with the two words that have now become the hashtag that is about to become the dance that sweeps the nations. You are so joyful and so kind and I CAN NEVER THANK YOU ENOUGH for helping to set up my tent that day (and anyone whose seen my tent should know what a blessing that was to me). You’re going to teach us all a lot and I can’t wait to get started serving with you #morestankworshipplease
Megan Sprads—Megan, you’re heart is crazy awesome and so, so pure. You make people smile just by being around them, and your heart and desire for Jesus have inspired me to grow closer to him—and that was just in the week we were together! You’re going to do big things, my friend. God-sized things. Can’t wait to go alone for the ride with you.
Melody S—Girl. Where to even start (for those that don’t know, Melody and I went to college to together and swam in college together and studied in Spain together, and so, yeah. You could say we know each other well J). You’re one of my best friends and there is no way in the entire world I would be here without you. Love you the most, girl. Appreciate you the most.
Eryn S.—Eryn, when I think of you I think of joy. I don’t think I ever saw you not smiling the entire week (even when you had to sit in close proximity to me and my smelly SMELLY self!). I wish I would have gotten to hear more of your story, but I think there might be time for that later 😉 I know you have a heart for the nations for for the poor, and I can’t wait to see that heart in action.
Courtney S.—Courtney, you’re awesome and so is your hair (you know what I’m talking about). Honestly when we first meet I didn’t know if we’d get along that well, but I can say now that you’re one of my favorite people on this squad! You’re so fun and so in it with Jesus and so unashamed and I’ve loved getting to hang out with you this past week. Fo realz. Can’t wait for you to be my personnel trainer whilst on the race 😉
Lindsey S.—Lindsey, you’re another one of the smiliy ones, and I appreciate it so much! I don’t think I ever heard you utter anything even close to a complaint (and trust me, there were some rough times out there). I’m glad we got to share the beautiful bus ride from across the aisle, and I can’t wait to get to sit next to you next time and hear more of story. You’re a courageous girl, and I’m hoping some of that will rub off on me this next year.
Nick S.—Nick. Woah. After hearing you’re story and you’re heart, I just feel like you’re such a different guy after training camp. You’re heart is crazy awesome and God has got some big things planned for you this next year, man. iSquad really wouldn’t be the same without you (can I get an amen here people??), so thanks for being you. [Also, you have the best movie-trailer voice I’ve ever heard]
Lindsey R.—Lindsey! You’re so great! You’re so sweet and so kind, and seeing you’re feet healed was definitely one of the coolest training camp stories for me. I’m glad we got to sit next to each other during so many of the teachings and share in so many “delicious” meals together, and I can’t wait for some more! (more rice, more rice!!)
Sydney R.—Sydney, I love your willingness to share and just be open and honest with people—it really is a gift. You put people at ease and make them feel welcome, and that’s another thing I definitely appreciate. And I’m excited to have another swimming friend to relate to! I’m bringing an old competition suit on the race with me and I hope you’ll join me #onesiesovertankinis
Keri R.—Keri, you are so, so sweet. You have such a gentle spirit about you, and every time I see you I just want to give you a hug J I still can’t believe you spent all night on the bus praying—that seriously inspired some mad desire in me to get to praying more. I’m stoked to see what else I can learn from you this next year, and I really do miss you already!
Jacob Q.—Jacob, I feel like you’re a guy after God’s own heart, and that is something that is seriously awesome to see and be around. I love your stories, and while I’m sorry we all feel asleep, they were still awesome! You’re such a joyful person and I’m way psyched that you get to bring that joy with our squad to the countries and communities and people that really need it. You rock!
Jenna O.—Jenna, I’m sad our bags were “lost,” but glad we got to bond over our smelliness and poverty J I still cannot believe that you are at ANOTHER camp right now—you’re heart for kids is amazing! I can’t wait to see you loving on all the kids we meet all around the world, and I pray that God gives me a strength and energy and endurance like yours!
Brittany N.—Brittany, I just have to say happy birthday one last time! It was so much fun to celebrate with you, and such a taste of what doing life together in a community will look like next year. Talking to you this past week, it just felt like we’d been friends for a long time and I appreciate how you go out of your way to make people feel included and comfortable. I appreciate you girl!
Anna M.—Anna! You’re great! I feel like you have such a love for your family, and that definitely made me think this week about how I can love my family better and bigger. You seem so enthusiastic about life, and honestly you’re one of the people who got me most stoked for the next 11 months. You’re also hilarious, which is priceless on an adventure like this 😀
Tara M.—First of all, you’re awesome for organizing those shirts! I seriously appreciated it a ton, and we were definitely the freshest looking squad out there. You’re so sweet and so kind and so genuine and I loved hearing some of the things that brought you here on the race. I feel like you’ve overcome so much already just to be here, and I can’t wait to see how God blesses you in this next season of life.
Kaitlin M.—Ohhhh, Kaitlin, what do I even say? You’re so funny and so encouraging and so bold and I just love it. You’re a total boss whether it’s running or worshipping or carrying legless people on your back or doing high-five sit-ups…you’re awesome. I cannot even wait to see what God has in store for a spirit as willing and courageous as yours (spoiler alert: it’s gunna be fantastic).
Brittney K.—Brittney, you’re such a blessing to our squad! You’re so calm and cool and collected, and God’s given you a spirit that’s really refreshing to be around. I can’t believe I only found out about all your brothers and sisters on the last day of camp, but know that I fully intend on finding out more about your awesome family and what brought you on the race!
Ada K.—Aka Ada Cakes aka MOMMA! None of us would have survived this week without you, Ada. From the contact solution to the baby wipes to the snacks to the wisdom to the hustling you did for us in the market place—I’m in awe! I’ve loved getting to know you and your generous heart better this week, and can’t wait to see that generosity in action around the world (also I can’t wait to eat some of you’re baking. #justbeingreal)
Rhema K.—AKA the TRUE winner of the squad wars dance off (we all know it. Jesus knows it.). You have SUCH an amazing personality and are such a firecracker and are also probably one of the fastest runners on our squad. I didn’t even see it coming. Anyway, you make the people around you feel so loved and so important and I don’t know how you do it, I just know I want to be able to do it too.
Josh H.—Josh! You’re so much fun and have such a big heart and our squad would be seriously lacking without you. You’re always so concerned with everyone else and how they’re doing, and just from working with you it’s so obvious what an amazing servant you are to us all. We appreciate you, bud. Big things ahead.
Brad H.—Or B-rad (last chance to tell me you don’t want to be called B-rad. One last chance). It was awesome serving with you and hearing some of your story and what brought you here. I think we all look up to you a little bit, and God has definitely given you a heart to lead while still giving you enough humility to make us all excited about following. You’ve definitely pushed me this past week to really pray for and seek that kind of humility, so thank you for that.
from the WR homepage
Liz H.—Liz! You’re just so fantastic. Definitely a kindred spirit. You’re another person whose servant heart I’m amazed by. You are definitely one fierce sista and yet the way you love and care about people blows me away. I don’t know how excited God is to see you serving and loving on the nations, but if he’s even half as excited as I am then he’s really, really, REALLLLYYYYYY excited.
Brittany G.—Brittany, you’re wonderful. Really. You’re so sweet and so smiley and really, truly so much fun. You may have been too sleep-deprived to remember this conversation, but you definitely agreed that I could come and visit you in Utah after the race and tear up all the Utah-ian slopes with you. It happened/it’s totally going to happen. Thank you for being so friendly and for making me feel so loved this past week!
Ashley G.—GIRLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL. I love you! Thank you so much for sharing a tent and a bus seat and laundry and shower time and meals and prayer and snacks and port-a-potties and everything else with me! You are so sweet and so girly and so dead set on getting closer to God and I just love it. In true Ashley fashion, I think I’ll just have to end/sum all of this week with you up by throwing up a “THE LORD!!!!!!” 😉
Andrea— Andrea. You are so, so, seriously inspiring. You are DEFINITLEY the most joyful person I have ever met—I don’t think I saw you stop smiling a single time at training camp, and if that isn’t a testimony to God’s goodness and your faithfulness, then I don’t know what is. You’ve been through a crazy amount of stuff—stuff that would suck away any other person’s joy and hope and leave them bitter and resentful—and yet I see none of that in you. In fact, it’s almost the exact opposite, and for that my friend, I have to say thank you. You fill our squad up in a big way, and I’m so thankful I get to embark on this new season of life with you.
Trish D.—Trishhhhhhhhh. You’re great! You’re SO good at making people feel loved and included and cared for, and just at putting everyone at ease. You care for people in a real and deep way, and I literally am in awe that you essentially carried Ashley up a mountain while also completely blind. That’s the stuff inspirational movies are born out of. You have such a warrior heart and spirit and I feel really blessed to have gotten to know you. (let’s get together before launch for real!)
Megan C.—Watching you worship is one of the coolest things ever (I promise I wasn’t creeping!) The way you love the Lord and the depth of your desire to follow him and serve his people is INcredible. You’ve pushed me to go deeper and to seek more of the Spirit this week, and I can guarantee you that I wasn’t the only one. I’m kicking myself that I didn’t hear more of your story and what brought you to the race, but I’m thinking we’ll have time J
Tommy C.—Tommy, you’re so legit. First of all, you’re hilarious, and second of all, you’re awesome. You have such a big heart and it’s so much fun to be around you. I appreciate the ways that you served us all this past week, and especially for the humbling act of giving me your water bottle! Some people fill you up and some people drain you, and you are definitely one that fills people up and we’re all so thankful for it!
Christina C.—Girl, you’re so awesome! Thank you so much for the fabulous yoga sessions and for being so kind to us even when we looked a little crazy (I know I did, at least!). You’re so kind to everyone and I found myself wanting to emulate that while I was at camp this past week without even really thinking about it. Sad we’re not on the same team but excited to serve with you in whatever capacity this next year!
Craig B.—Craig, oh man, what would we do without you? SOoooOOOO many hilarious moments from training camp going through my mind right now and almost all of them feature the one and only Craig Bass. You have such a gift of being able to command the crowd and get them excited about something, and I can’t wait to see that same thing happen while you’re out in the nations preaching about Jesus. “And he said, “Go. Go and bring the stank to the nations.” And they saw that it was good.” –iSquadesians 6:13
And this is for the 5 wonderful ladies that make up the best team in all the lands: (Squads are broken down into smaller teams. We’ll mostly be serving in each country with our team and not with the entire squad)
Heather S.—Heather, I already know I have a ton to learn from you, and quite frankly I can’t wait. Bring on the Spanish and the worship and whatever else comes our way! I’m so blessed that God put us together and I hope we get some Psalm 27:17 sharpening going on this year. You’re story and steadfastness through everything inspires me, and I’m sure it’s not going to be the last time.
Nicole S.—Nicole, you’re one of those people I just knew I would get along with right away (maybe it was when you let me hold onto your sweatshirt as we trekked down the gravel mountain so that I wouldn’t fall). Either way, I love you and I love your honesty and your excitement and your willingness to press in and not hold back. Cannot wait to see your smiling face all the time starting in September!
Haleigh M.—Haleigh, you’re awesome. You are super smiliy, but you’re a whole lot more than that. I’ve told a few people the basics of your story (doing the race, getting sick, hospital, recovery, doing the race again), and they can’t believe it. Your testimony is a crazy powerful one, and I am beyond excited and blessed to be able to be by your side for this new adventure. Love you girl!
Jarin H.–(One of my) Favorite Canadian(s). Your story is incredible and I love that you had the courage and the faith to go from the shore out into the waves where Jesus was calling you. I love your excitement about this race and about what God is doing in you’re life, and that makes me the most excited to be able to do both with you. You clearly hear God’s voice well and I’m just praying that this year we both dive deeper into the river together.
Jasmine E.—Jasmine, I’m so glad we’re on the same team! You’re openness and honesty was really inspiring to me this week, and I feel like God is already doing some seriously amazing work in your life. I love our team name and I love your willingness to put everything else aside and really get into just what it means to follow Christ and to be made in his image. Our team is going to go deep out into that river and we’re going to love and serve and, thanks to you, we’re going to have an awesome time doing it.
For those of our squad that won’t make it out with us this September…
Elise—Elise, we miss you! The fact that I didn’t get to know you better was and is one of my biggest training camp regrets. We always think we have more time to get to know people, but God reminded me that I can’t let being uncomfortable or shy get in the way of getting to know people’s stories and their hearts. Also, the fact that you’re already posting on facebook about fundraising shirts and fundraisers just shows me how dedicated you are to this call that God has put on your life and it’s so cool to see. Seriously sad you’re not launching with us in September but seriously excited for your launch where you’ll be off serving and loving on the nations.
Sarah—Sarah, where to even begin? I was so moved and inspired by you this week. I know the outcome isn’t what you were planning on, but man does God have some crazy stuff in store for you. You’ll be isquad forever, and I’ll always think of you and your amazing voice while we’re worshipping. Keep pressing into the holy Spirit! Keep up the faith and don’t let anyone tell you God doesn’t have greatness planned for you.
Felisha—Felisha, you’re another person I just felt instantly comfortable around. The decision you had to make and the way you went about it…such grace and such wisdom and such humility…seriously, that’s probably one of my main take-aways from training camp was just what a courageous thing you did. We love you girl and I fully expect you to keep me updated on life at home and you’re amazing/crazy children’s ministry.
And last but definitely not least, to our squad leaders:
Laine—Laine, you’re so great. Really, truly. You’re so joyful and so full of God that the excess just pours out onto everyone around you. I feel so blessed to be able to travel with you and pray with you and take in some of your wisdom and love for Jesus. Let’s do this!
Tyler—When I first met you, I thought you were a pretty quiet and reserved kind of dude, but I now realize I was seriously wrong and I’m not even mad about it. You’re dancing was off the chain, your stories from the field are hilarious and inspiring, and your comment about wanting to get to know us all individually and hear all of our stories was really cool and meant a lot. Excited to get to hear your story and find out where your passion for Jesus comes from.
Erica—You might not be traveling with us this next year, but if you think you get off squad leading duties that easily than you have another thing coming. I’ve learned so much from you this past week, and you’re love for God is astounding. I want to know the love of the father like that, and I want to have the same steadfastness you have shown in the time of trial. I can’t wait to share this race with you, and I thank you for sharing your heart with all of us. We love you.
Brian—Brian, I really don’t know anything about you, but I’m excited to get to know you! Everyone speaks so highly of you, and our squad is always ready to embrace someone whose going to bring us closer to God. Psyched to meet you, and impressed by the faithfulness you’ve already shown by jumping right in to lead us.
Okay. That’s all I’ve got for now. Miss you all already!
“In friendship…we think we have chosen our peers. In reality a few years’ difference in the dates of our births, a few more miles between certain houses, the choice of one university instead of another…the accident of a topic being raised or not raised at a first meeting–any of these chances might have kept us apart. But, for a Christian, there are, strictly speaking no chances. A secret master of ceremonies has been at work. Christ, who said to the disciples, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,” can truly say to every group of Christian friends, “Ye have not chosen one another but I have chosen you for one another.” The friendship is not a reward for our discriminating and good taste in finding one another out. It is the instrument by which God reveals to each of us the beauties of others.”
–C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves
