Hey everyone!
For the last two weeks, I’ve been at something called “Training Camp” — a ten day experience with my squad; learning, worshipping, crying, growing, and beginning the process of journeying together. Training camp took place on the Adventure’s In Mission’s grounds in Gainesville, GA. (A very humid place)
As soon as we arrived, we all set up our tents. This is 1 of 3 tent-filled sites.
Altogether, there were 5 squads at training camp. These are the squads that will be launching in October, 2016.
Meet O-Squad AKA “The WOlfpack”
(We are a perfect blend of goofy, loving, compassionate, gracious, joy-filled, selfless, God-honoring leaders and I am beyond blessed to serve with these amazing individuals)
Welcome to my team, Authentic Daughters
(I’ll be starting my race off serving and living with these wonderful women)
For ten days we used porta potty’s, took five minute bucket showers, sometimes NO showers, shared one plate of food with eight other people, ate some of the meals with just our fingers, drank hose water, got stung by bees, bit by ants and spiders, carried people up steep hills and never stayed in one place long enough to get comfortable. Almost every night was a different sleeping scenario so those tents that we initially set up, were taken down and set back up multiple times (We did not always sleep in our tents) (Use your imagination 🙂 )
OK, I’ll give you one of our sleeping scenarios. Airport simulation night!
Each day we ate looked something like this. We had a place card that went with the country of the day and learned about that culture’s eating etiquette
Training camp wrecked me for ordinary living.
I miss bucket showers… seriously. I haven’t enjoyed one “real” shower since I’ve been home. Our bucket showers were so appreciated as we spent more time than not, absolutely filthy.
I miss my tent, sleeping pad, and confinement. On the first night of training camp, I felt crammed in the little space of my tent; gravel was all over everything and I was hot and uncomfortable. I described it in my journal as, “Feeling like a dirty disciple.” By night 8, my heart was filled with so much joy and contentment as I thought to myself, “I am a homeowner!” and with my face inches away from the inner walls of my tent, I fell asleep with such pride in my heart for my tiny portable home (which I have missed being in every night since I’ve been back)
I miss my squad. A few years ago, I asked the Lord to slam shut the doors to any friendships He did not see fit for me. I asked that in return, He bring me a new set of friends (people who love him relentlessly and can be my iron sharpening iron.) Almost immediately, doors were shutting all around and my circle of friends was dwindling. While God removed these friends from my life, He did not replace them right away. In fact, I have been patiently waiting for the last three years and well, the time has come. The Lord has blessed me with nearly 45 new friends!! I do not serve a small God! It’s amazing how much God can grow your heart for a group of strangers in just 10 days!
I’ve worshipped with my new friends under the moonlight, I’ve cried with them, I’ve felt their pain as they have shared some of their deepest hurts and secrets, I’ve slept under the stars with them, but most importantly; they accept me for who I am and where I’ve come from.
Psalm 37:4 — Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
It’s not a matter of if He will or not, it’s just a matter of trusting his timing over our own.
God loves to show up in BIG ways! I love that about Him.
I hope I was able to paint a better picture for you guys of what training camp is (without giving away all of the secrets to future racers) I’m still trying to process some things I learned about myself from training camp, but the most important thing I can share with you, is that this journey will continue after the World Race.
God has not called me to live a life of normalcy
In fact, I am wrecked for ordinary.
I have been called to abandon my comforts and surrender daily
and it is all for God’s GLORY.
39 days til Launch ya’ll!!!
Things are getting REAL!
Please continue to keep me in your prayers.
Are you ready to go on a journey with me?!
