A little over two weeks ago, my squad and I anxiously embarked on our first full day of training at the Toccoa Falls College in Georgia. My expectation that training camp was going to be a bunch of kumbaya by the fire as we got used to the smell of each other’s BO (great) was immediately thrown out the window. Instead, we all dove head first into a wonderful world of spiritual growth, healing, and lots of time with a squad full of strangers we’d only really known – outside the world of social media – for less than 24 hours. Along the way, I scribbled and typed notes and thoughts here and there, and I present you with nine of my most heart-happy meanderings from the week.
1. God showed up, and I mean really showed up, to heal our brokenness
I knew there was going to be a lot of Jesus time, but I did not expect God to show up in the way that He did. Within the first couple of days, God gave me the kind of freedom that can’t be granted anywhere else (more to come on that later). It was an emotionally and spiritually intense week for many of us, and God showed up to shower us with peace, resolve, affirmation, and love. He showed up to heal.
2. The servanthood
We were required to serve one another during all of our meals, and my squadmates would actually jump up from their chairs to voluntarily go grab plates and silverware, food, and drinks for people. And then there were the tents. Tents everywhere, always. We had to pack up and re-pitch our tents just about every night, and I can’t tell you how many times I experienced different squadmates offering their tent pitching and packing expertise. Basically, servants’ hearts flooded the Toccoa Falls campus that week, and it was awesome.
3. Witnessing women praise and love one another all day every day
I remember walking into the bathroom and overhearing a woman telling another woman how beautiful she was, and I was totally struck with joy, realizing that I’d heard these kinds of conversations happen all week long. Here and there women were sharing words of affirmation with one another, and it was truly wonderful to witness women lifting each other up instead of tearing each other down.
4. Two words: the food
We were blessed with awesome food. All. Week. Long. Fresh-brewed sweet tea everyday and dessert at every lunch and dinner service. And I’m talking chocolate cake, cupcakes, cherry pie, and even ice-cream, all with a side of cookie – a far cry from the rationed PB&J sandwiches I expected.
5. The consuming reality that we are all sons and daughters of the most awesome Father
I mean, the almighty God, Creator of the Universe, is our Father, and we are His sons and daughters. That kind of love blows my mind. He loves us and simply wants to spend time with us. God doesn’t need us to spread His love to the nations. He chose us, because He wants to be with us.
6. My preconceived notions of beauty were thrown out the window
If you know me, then you know that going a day without doing my makeup and hair is a big deal – a much bigger deal than I’d ever like to admit. Maybe it’s the fact that we were basically on this secluded campus with nothing but trees and each other in sight, but by day three I was feeling pret-ty good about my minimal morning routine. I began to experience the kind of beauty (in myself and others) that really matters.
7. I’d adopted the word “y’all” as though it were the cutest blind kitten I ever saw
Really though. We were in Georgia, and by the end of the week, my brain had fully accepted the Southern contraction as part of my normal, everyday vocabulary. It wasn’t until I started texting (then immediately backspacing) the word that I realized there was a problem.
8. A five-minute debrief has the power to ignite new and genuine love
This one. This one still amazes me. The love that poured out from each and every one of my teammates and me during our last debrief is the kind that could only be influenced by God. Within a matter of days, we’d all grown to truly love one another, and the wonderful words of love, encouragement, and praise that flowed from our mouths and into the hearts of those receiving them were simply beautiful. Smiles were drawn, tears welled, and our hearts were just happy.
9. MY TEAM IS AWESOME
We are The Chainless.
