Community is something I hold so dear to my heart.
Its something that has so much power over individuals and many times I forget that.
I have not always positioned myself around the most positive communities but it nonetheless strengthened me and pushed me towards becoming greater and better…even if that greater and better meant walking away from a community that was slowly damaging my soul.
My community over the past 3 years has changed drastically season by season and while it has been overwhelming, The Lord’s promises hold true and his grace never waivers.
In college I was very involved, surrounded by many and found alone time hard to come by. After college I moved to California for an internship where I lived with 7 others interns in a small 3-bedroom house in a heavily populated city. Us interns were together 24/7 and it while it was difficult at times, my life never felt so full… Since moving back Kansas I now work for a small company, I spend most of my time with family and a few close friends and tend to keep to myself during any free time. I have experienced a multitude of communities and am so thankful for what each has taught me and where they have brought me..
The community in which I am currently in is about to change drastically… one I know will teach me more than I can begin to understand.
In just THREE DAYS I will meet the individuals that I will do life with this next year. We will be in Georgia at what the World Race calls training camp (VIDEO BELOW!). For 10 days we will be in intense preparation for our journey. They say:
“Training Camp week is not for the faint of heart.
Come ready to rough it, get your hands dirty, encounter the unexpected, and live in close quarters with people that will
soon be considered family. Come ready to allow the Spirit
of God to move in a new way.”
I am just as excited, as I am anxious. I am so excited to grow with, love on, cry with, fight for, pray with, and learn from my squad mates. I am anxious about learning how to rough it for 10 days while living out of our packs and tents, anxious to finally learn what exactly next year will look like for us, anxious simply because I do not know what to expect from training camp physically, emotionally, and spiritually…
One thing I know to be true is that life will meet you exactly where you are. Lately I have been learning how important balance is. When to stay to myself and when to step out in faith…and into a place outside of my comfort.
These 10 days will stretch me so far outside of my comfort zone but I know it will be that much more rewarding. It will be 10 days spending sweet alone time with the Lord and 10 days constantly surrounded by 50 of my squad mates.
I ask for your prayers, love, support, patience, words of wisdom and encouragement as my teammates and I prepare to begin the journey towards the launch of our race. Prayer for us to come open to receive what the Lord already has prepared, for our willingness to let go fears and insecurities, and for us to become less while HE becomes more.
Here’s to the beginning of a new authentic community and experiencing fulfilling balance.
FUNDRAISING UPDATE: I have just below $4,000 in my account. Thank you so much to everyone who has donated so far!! I am so encouraged every time I see a new donation. I still need about $6,000 to reach my next goal before December! The Lord is teaching me good things through this fundraising process–I know He will provide!
