This is my last official post about training camp. This one is some of the more serious things I learned. It’s hard though–I have pages from my journal.
Before I do that, though, I want to share some of my favorite memories/blessings of training camp
I enjoyed talking to two of our men on the squad at 5:15 am as they drank their customary coffee. I loved praying with McKenzie as we hiked our 3 miles for our fitness test. I loved the awesome and intense worship. I don’t think I have ever worshiped that hard. I loved that our squad of 58 then prayed all together before our fitness test. I loved our bucket showers. I loved the sleeping outside and being in nature. I love praying over the meals every time. I loved being with people of a similar mind and heart. It was neat to see how God worked in my squad mates lives differently–He met and meets us where we are. So many blessings.
I think one of the most exciting things for me was learning how to stay “above the water” even when I was beyond exhausted (and I was). When I get very tired, my emotions and thoughts start to go downhill and my self-esteem plummets. It is SO not fun. But in the process of some counseling and the reminders of “taking every thought captive,” I am done with that for the most part. Which is encouraging because there will be times this year that I will be exhausted and I can’t afford for that to happen. So that is a huge blessing.
Here are some other things:
1. On the first day they said “When you are on your reserves, that’s when god speaks into your life.” And it’s true. When you have nothing left, He fulfills and surprises.
2. One of the things I appreciate the most about training camp was how intentional they were in their talks, trainings, prayers, talks on what to do on the field, etc. Especially as someone who runs a young adult retreat, intentionality is important when you want a group of people to experience certain growth. With that said, their talks on how to forgive people, how to listen to God speaking into your life, etc. were great. And not only were there talks–then we went and practiced them.
Forgiving people is important when you want to experience freedom. I actually read in a book that you forgive people because God can make room for grace. Your heart heals. You can move on. But forgiveness is getting past the emotions. You have to make that CHOICE to. To forgive someone, you go to God and you said the specific things they did, etc. and then you let them go. This is something I am still learning though, but as someone who is also practical person, I was thankful for not just the talks, but the “how to’s.”
3. One of the biggest things I learned and was reminded of was I am a daughter of God. It’s seems like a cliche statement, but it makes having a relationship with a Being you can’t see much easier. It makes it more personal. Even just mentally imagining talking to God about life as if you were a small one, seems to make it easier. Sitting upon your Father’s knee. Or being swung around by Him.
Here is a journal entry after training camp
10/30
Today I am back home. I’m smelly, my clothes are covered in dust, I might even look a little funny. But I have learned a lot, grown closer to you, and gained a new family. Now it’s just 2 months before I leave for India!
And now I leave in 17 days for India. God is so good.
