Training Camp…. I’ve been procrastinating (I know…what? me procrastinate??) writing this blog because I don’t know what all to say and what not to say, not to mention I also have anxiety about blogging for some crazy reason. I’m going to share quite a bit- so let me warn you if you are a future world racer- stop reading so your training camp experience will be a surprise!!! Trust me..be disciplined and just don't 🙂
We made our way to Atlanta’s airport where we found all the people for training dressed up in their squads color. It was feeling pretty real then. All the people we have been facebook friends with for months and seen their faces now were in real person. You could immediately see so many different personalities! I was excited and nervous. Nervous that I wouldn’t be liked or would just not fit in. We ate and had some wonderful conversations with new friends. Then we were off, with our 50 lb packs and daypacks, all on a school bus headed to training.
It felt so real! I kept thinking… wow…it’s now hitting me! I just quit my job!!! And now I’m really at training camp! Ahh!!! We talked the whole way to training- mainly listening to Chandler, our comedian, telling jokes constantly. This guy is like Kevin James (one that’s in love with Jesus) in real person! We love him and literally laugh nonstop when he’s around!
(silly chandler) haha
We get to training and set up our tents! Drew and I barely have room in there after we set up our sleeping pads for our bags. But we can make it work! Whew! We had dinner and began the teachings and worship. God stretched us spiritually. Everyday for the next few days we would spend in teachings and worship (minus eating) all day. The teachings were great! Some on preparing our own hearts for what was to come and getting rid of any weights like unforgiveness, or things that needed to be healed. Also for what we would do on the field- what the Bible says about discipleship, etc.
(worship) (God's beautiful creation)
God was doing so much in our squad of 55 people. We were all so vulnerable with each other sharing what the Lord has done in our lives. In fact, one night we opened up over a campfire, and one person after another shared their deepest darkest secrets and struggles. I can’t tell you how many started off by saying, “I’ve never told anyone this before, but…” It was amazing because they felt safe enough with this group of believers to open up and be vulnerable, knowing that we would be there for them, not judge them, and will fight for them in prayer from then on out. It also helps, because once we had our teams, we knew where most of them are coming from and can be sensitive to that. Also people were sharing what they’ve heard from the Lord that week, how he was growing them, healing them, and breaking chains.
Man I love our God who is so gentle and sweet. I love that nothing is too big or small. He is God of the Universe and yet the Bible says His ear isn’t too dull to hear, and His arm isn’t too short to reach. He wants people to know Him and wants to restore them and make them new! Ahh! How good is our God!
