I just returned from 10 days of training camp in the Georgia wilderness. I’m sure you would like to know all about it, but it would honestly take an entire evening to break down all the amazing details, and I probably still wouldn’t be able to explain everything. So for now this will have to suffice.
Training camp was amazing. And then some. I feel like I’ve actually been to church for the first time in a few years. I’ve felt so stagnant lately that this past week was like a breath of fresh air. It was also very challenging. Many of you know that I’m not usually the one to volunteer to pray for a meal or speak in church. Let’s just say God decided to blow that out of the water this week. I was frequently pulled out of my comfort zone, but in the gentlest way possible. I was surrounded by my awesome squadmates who made me feel safe and loved and encouraged me the whole way.
Some things that I learned over the past ten days:
- Our tiny sleeping pads are actually California Kings and our tents are the Hilton.
- You don’t need utensils to enjoy a meal together.
- Bucket showers are not too far from the real thing. A swim in the lake is even better.
- The Holy Spirit is alive and well.
- If you need something or forgot something, someone else on your squad has it.
- It is sometimes necessary to pray more than once for your meal, especially if it involves ice cream brownie cookie sundaes.
- There is no better way to get to know your squad quickly than spending a rainy night under a tarp in such close quarters that at least 6 people are touching you at any one time.
- You can’t pack all the things. In fact, you can’t pack most of the things either.
- A nap in a hammock truly is a slice of heaven. I may have already known this…
- God takes good care of his children.
I would like to introduce my team that I will start this awesome adventure with:
Clockwise from back left: Erin (Pete), Katie, Erin (Ernie), Me, Haley, Alyssa, Andie
We are known as team Ezer (pronounced ay’-zer), which is the Hebrew word for helper. Used to describe Eve, it is made up of two roots which mean “to rescue, to save” and “strength”.
Important Details:
I will be launching on June 28 to Atlanta Georgia for some additional training, and then we will tentatively leave for Albania on July 1 . That leaves me less than 4 weeks before launch. Please pray for me during this time as I still have a lot to accomplish and the reality of leaving my friends and family is hitting me. Also, I have some requests:
Letters! A lot of people have been asking about sending letters or packages. The reality is that you cannot send me anything while I am on the field as it will be much too difficult to make sure it arrives at my current destination and does not have to suffer through the unpredictability of customs. However, I love snail mail and have found a way for you to send me a word of encouragement or a laugh. If you would like to send me some snail mail you can send it to my home address and I will take it with me on the Race to open periodically. Please send letters to 1312 Crown Ct Bloomington IL 61704 or drop them off to me or my family. For those of you from Second Pres, I will be at home concert on June 14 and I will be in church on June 14 and 21. Please have letters sent to me by June 22. You may label them with when you want me to open them if you wish (by country, month, some other theme…). I also appreciate emails! Any words of love and encouragement are welcome. Let’s be real, I’m going to be away from people I love very dearly for a long time, and I will need your words. Some ideas to inspire you:
I am so close to reaching my fundraising goal!!! I currently need about $1500 to reach my goal. If you feel led to support me you can do so by clicking on the support me tab on the left side of this screen.
For those of you who live near me, my family will be having a garage sale June 5 at the same address as above from 7:30 am to 5 pm. We have items from several households including books, china, silver, a printer, scanner, and a netbook among other things. All funds raised will be split between funding my world race trip and my sister’s first mission trip to mexico this month. Please spread the word!
And thank you again to all of you who have been praying for me, supporting me financially, and spreading the word about what God is doing in my life. I could not go on this adventure without you!
