10 Days ago I left for The World Race Training Camp. 10 days ago I knew I was exactly where I was suppose to be.
From eating foods I thought I would never even look at, packing up and sleeping in tents, taking cold bucket showers, using nothing but a porter potty and fully embracing living in community Training Camp stole my heart.
My journey started off with a 9 hour car ride all the way from sweet Virginia Beach, Virginia to Georgia. YES, I drove that all by myself (no biggie). My heart was filled with such anxiety, doubt and just butterflies because arriving to Georgia made this REAL. Was I really going to attend a camp that was going to prepare me to leave the country for nine months? I was worrying about leaving my family, friends and just my comfort zone for 10 days so how could I think about leaving all that for nine months? Had I just made the biggest mistake of my life?
Philippians 4:11-13
“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
There wasn’t one defying moment during training camp that made me feel like “WOW, this is where God has called me to be”, it kind of just happened in an amazing way. Imagine walking into class on the first day of school. You have all your supplies, your backpack, pencils, journal and even the love and support of your family cheering you on. So, it’s going to be great right? Well, now imagine yourself still fully prepared but with heavy, rusty metal chains wrapped all around you. You are stuck and fully bound to yourself. Well that is how I went into training camp. I had everything I needed. My pack was filled to the brim, a whopping 45 pounds. My family and friends were cheering me on and I was ready to go. Most importantly I knew or thought my faith was strong enough to get me through whatever the next ten days was going to throw at me.
Don’t forget about your chains.
It was a process, each day becoming more free in God so I could actually see and KNOW that this is where God has called me to be. Day by day I took off my chains, I became vulnerable and let me tell you that can be a scary but beautiful thing.
One day I got rid of my anxiety chain. I was free to walk up to squad-mates and be 100% myself (even if I had been wearing the same pants for three days F-Squad doesn’t judge).
Another day doubt was gone. I really was exactly where I was suppose to be (This time when I said it I meant it). I have been welcomed into a new family of 50 crazy, weird, corky, God loving people that I wouldn’t trade for the world.
The butterflies that filled me flew away and took my chains with them. I was FREE. Once I was free I was able to fully trust in God. I am filled with confidence that this next chapter of my life is going to be the best one yet. No, it’s not going to be easy and I know I still have plenty of struggles ahead of me because SHEEP HAPPENS. (Yah just had to be at training camp). BUT I know that I’ve got the best squad/team mates and most importantly the best GOD by my side to tough it out with me.
So watch out world because this girl is free in the lord and ready to move mountains.
