The Road to training camp…
Training Camp! All I can say is that I am so happy that I had no expectations going into this experience because God rocked my world and opened me up to a new realm of His presence and role in my life. Before this I was unsure. Now I am ready, pumped, and cannot wait to start serving. God is so so so good!
So here are my Top 10 lessons/memories (in no particular order) from Training Camp. I can't be too detailed so as not to ruin the experience for future world racers but I'll give you a glimpse into the world I entered into a week ago and will be a part of for a year!
1. The Food. All in all, I lost about 5 lbs. We ate cuisines from all around the world and in fashions I don't care to discuss. Part of the experience is learning how to live on the bare essentials in life. In this way we can learn to rely on God and those around us rather than always knowing when and what will be for our next meal. And let me tell you, it worked! On a side note I got to the airport today and went straight to Panera Bread. I have never so humbly eaten a Ham sandwich and French Onion Soup in my life.
2. I made forever friendships with my squad (P’ da best!) and teammates and had experiences that will stay with me until the day I die. The people in my squad and the leaders of AIM (Adventures in Missions) are passionate about Christ and salvation. In their presence I was able to get to a new level of spiritual depth.
3. For the first time ever (and around a campfire) I lead praise and worship, singing Amazing Grace and Holy, Holy, Holy. God spoke to me saying that he gave me this gift for a reason and to share it with others. I also prayed in front of over 50 people, poured out my heart to total strangers, cried about 10 times, and was healed of some emotional baggage I have been carrying for way too long.
4. God showed me that it is not about me, it’s about the kingdom. Being one of his children and being saved means that it is my duty to spread and share the love Jesus has for us with others. Having struggled with self-confidence issues for years this is exactly what I needed to hear. When I sing, or talk to a crowd, or do anything for the glory of God I needn’t be scared, ashamed, or worried.
5. I woke up every morning at 6am. For those who know me that is a miracle in and of itself. J
6. The Wobble. For those of you who don’t know what that is it is a ridiculous dance I was forced to do way too many times in 1 week. On the contrary the amount of dancing we did was one of my favorite things. At least once a day we would break it down as a team or in a group around camp. Holy rockers for sure!!
7. The night I flew in. Myself and two girls from my squad got a hotel together and stayed up until 2am laughing and discussing our thoughts fears and worries and growing close in friendship. The next morning we attempted to walk to Walmart (which ended up being about 12 miles away) and were rescued by a Good Samaritan who carted us around Atlanta and helped us make it back to the airport on time.
8. Learning about all the different pathways through which Christians experience God. Some people are drawn to art, literature, history, nature, service, the Word, worship, relationships, etc. These are all ways that different people experience God. God is not in a box. He is everywhere always and depending on who we are and where we come from we see God differently. This does not make one way better or worse. Just different. God gave us these tendencies and interests so that we may grow in them and draw others nearer through them. Never condemn anyone else for not seeing God the same exact way that you do.
9. Women’s ministry on vulnerability. God made me especially sensitive. I have always thought that this was a bad thing. God showed me this week how being vulnerable is actually a strength. Showing your true emotions about something is oftentimes the more difficult path but as we do this we actually become stronger and are able to work through our struggles.
10. That Christian community is a necessary part of being a Christian and the only way we will be able to go deeper into our faith. I have avoided community for fear of rejection and judgment for years. However, in community we are able to share our thoughts and feelings about our father in heaven and build relationships that stretch us. Though this is not an easy thing to do it is completely worth the sacrifice.
11. One more. As I read I am falling more and more in love with the Bible. The words that flow from there are Gold. Like honey! Ask God to come into your life and wreck you. To speak to you through his word. He will!!
More to come. So happy to finally experience spiritual peace and to find true and passionate love in our Father and His son Jesus Christ.
I will end with this excerpt from Philippians 3: 7-16, which sums up how I feel right now…
“I once thought that all these things were so very important, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ Jesus has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own goodness or my ability to obey God’s law, but I trust Christ to save me. For God’s way of making us right with Him depends on faith. As a result, I can really know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I can learn what it means to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that, somehow, I can experience resurrection from the dead! I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection! But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be. No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing. Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven. I hope all of you mature Christians will agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must be sure to obey the truth we have learned already.”
Here are some pix from my crazy experience…
