And we danced, and we cried
And we laughed and had a really really really good time!
-Macklemore
Training camp is over.
I am having a very difficult time deciding where to start. I do not want to give away many details; incase any future world racers stumble upon this blog in the wee hours of the morning, while trying to decide whether or not they should apply (like I did). If this is you, apply!
I departed from New York with 3 others that I had met once before training camp.
Left to right: Sam, Jen (she’s on K squad), Adrienne, and myself.
When we arrived at the ATL airport I had no idea what I was in for. We spent the next few hours hanging around, playing banana grams, heads up, cards, and straws (it’s the same as spoons but we didn’t have any spoons).
After some time we finally got to training camp. We were never given a schedule which was both freeing and frightening at the same time. I enjoyed that I was not attached to a piece of paper that determined my life but felt so out of my comfort zone. Both Sunday and Monday seemed to be days long within themselves. Over the course of the week we danced (A LOT), worshiped, got to know each other, were put in some crazy scenarios, were not given time to second guess our trust in each other, played some “what are the odds”, ate everything that was in front of us, adapted to other cultures, had heart to hearts, took bucket showers, sang, worked out, camped, prayed, and loved each other.
I remember the first night (while I was trying to fall asleep to the surround sound of cicadas) that I was in way over my head. And I was.
However, God knows what he is doing and he uses the broken. Thank goodness for that! Over the course of the week I learned, lived, loved, and let go. I learned a lot about what I will be doing over the 11 months. I lived some amazing stories during the week, even if it only boils down to the one night we “slept” on a bus. I loved, mark that: LOVE every member of L Squad.
They are now family and words cannot describe how blessed I am to be surrounded by these warriors. And lastly, probably most importantly, I let go. I let go of who I used to be. I let go of how I used to be. I let go of so many things that were the blocks of the wall that I had built around me. I have let my guard down. I may not know what is up ahead but whatever lies before me I can handle. I am not alone.
Training camp was one of the most difficult weeks I have ever experienced. And I loved it! All of the amazing individuals that make up L Squad were called to be there for a reason. I have so much to learn from each of them. Specifically my team:
From left to right: Simone, myself, Justin, Sam, Andrew, Alysse, Katy
These are the wonderful people that I will be serving next to, learning, and living with.
To be honest, it sort of feels like a distant dream that somebody else had that I am only relishing in. The best part though is it wasn’t a dream, and I experienced it, and the things I saw and heard and felt were real and they happened to ME!
“Set a fire down in my soul That I can’t contain That I can’t control I want more of you, God” My Savior is alive and well. Now that I have a taste for this personal relationship with Him I don’t want it to stop. I’ve never been happier and I’m not going back to the mundane. I know this journey will not be easy and will take many sacrifices but I am ready! With my Lord as my guide I can handle anything! I am currently at a little over $6,000 and need to be at $7,500 by the end of August in order to be able to launch! Then $11,000 by December 1st and all $15,500 by March. So please, if you can, click the support me link at the top or in the side column and go on this adventure with me!
My God is good!
Until next time, later days!
P.S. OH!! And by the way… WE WON SQUAD WARSSSSSSS!!!! LYEAH!
