The week had finally come! Yup that’s right! Training camp had finally creeped up on me. With no expectation or prior knowledge of training camp (sorry I never read any blogs or watched vlogs not because I wanted to be surprised but because I am lazy) I was in for a some learning. The only way I could describe training camp is boot camp meets, VBS, meets REI catalog photoshoot.
Back home I had felt rather lonely because of many doors that were closing in my community where, at the time, I believe was an awful thing but God had shown me I needed those doors closed to be able to transition into this trip. So, as you can tell I was VERY excited to meet my Squad! Before I had ever signed up for this trip I knew in my heart God was going to provide me with a wonderful and extremely strong community where I would mesh so easily and until that time came I prayed for each one of those future friends before I even knew they existed. Meeting these wonderful people was so fulfilling and every single one of my squadmates have so many amazing qualities. The dynamic of this squad is so amazing I so often start to ask God what the “catch” is or when will this end because these people are just way too good to be true.
Going into training camp with no expectations is like starting kindergarten all over again. It’s so fun and there are tons of games and then you are given the basics and foundations of what you need to know for the rest of your journey. Every session we had (about three every day) I learned so much about missional living, intimacy with God, and community. In just the first few of days I had learned so much! Each session taught me more and more about my future life on the trip and I realized the relationship I need to have with God up going into this trip.
Let me tell you about my favorite day of the trip! Our session was about different ways you can experience God. These were the different pathways: the aesthetic pathway, the experiential pathway, the activist pathway, the contemplative pathway, the student pathway, the relational pathway, and the naturalist pathway. The two pathways I believe I associate myself with the most are the relational pathway (community is very important to me), and the activist pathway (if its wrong let’s make it right and also evanligize). Throughout the day we went to different stations that were set up to have us spend time with God based on these pathways. Every single pathway was so awesome but there was one that stood out to me the most…The naturalist pathway…This pathway is about finding God outside and experiencing Him and all of His glory through nature. I have always had an appreciation for the outdoors however I never really thought about worshiping God through nature.
In this station we were given instructions which were basically just to reflect and pray on three questions, and me being me, I wasn’t exactly listening to the instructions but it’s totally okay because God showed me something hilarious! All over the trees were cicada bugs and while I was daydreaming I watched one of those bugs fall out of the tree and scream the entire way down which is so stupid because they have wings! There was no reason it should have fallen to the ground but it happened (I promise you this is relevant to my story) and I seriously laughed out loud. Well directly after that we began our quiet time and I asked God where He want me to sit and He said, “Go that way.” So I went.
I listened to where God wanted me to go and I sat down where he wanted me to. I looked down at my feet and there I saw it, God presented me with this cute gift that I loved so much! A tiny little wild strawberry! It was so small that I would have never been able to find it without God having to show me! He gave that to me because it was so cute, I use to grow strawberries, and He wanted to give me something I would appreciate because He loves me.
I ended up showing some of my squadmates this adorable gift. There was one person in particular that I showed this gift to and he challenged me by asking me what it mean. My first assumption that it represented my growth in my relationship with God, which sounds cool but it actually wasn’t the purpose for God presenting me this berry. I kept this berry covered with a leaf so I knew where to find it so I could have my own spot for me to spend time with God. I sent a picture to my friend telling him about the story and he jokingly said “Strawberries are the only fruits with seeds on the outside, God is trying to be vulnerable with you.” Although my friend was completely joking he was right on the money….
Earlier that day I went to read some scripture and God revealed to me that I had been cheating on Him with things of the world, especially people I did not want to let go of. God was being completely vulnerable and I felt my heart shatter because of this guilt I felt. Imagine hurting your best friend in the whole wide world for so long while they continued to love you the exact same and you didn’t even know you were hurting them. Y’all I was on the verge of tears! Literally about to cry in the middle of Gainesville, Georgia infront of this random wild strawberry. But right as the first tear was about to shed and I was refuitly apologizing to God, He showed me something to make me feel better…. Another stupid falling cicada bug! But this time after it had fallen to the ground it flew back up to the tree holding a blade of grass that made it look like it had an extra long giant green leg. It was so funny I wish all of y’all could have seen it! God showed me that because he wanted to remind me He loves me and that its okay for what I have been doing to Him because now that I am aware, I can grow from that and continue to put Him first.
Guys this is just one of the many impactful experiences I had during training camp. He gave me such a funny inside joke with Him because he knows I love to laugh and everything is a joke to me. He gave me a tiny berry to come to because He knew I wanted a place to go just to have solitude with Him. I just wanted to leave you all with this. There is a God out there, a romantic and intimate God, who loves you a lot and wants you to know that! I’m not even on this trip yet and God has told me so much! I really appreciate all of your guy’s time and prayers as I am continuing this journey thank you all so much!
