Like a tied up dog pulling at its chain to go after a squirrel
That is what best describes how I feel right now at launch.
Since I have a leadership position as Team Surrendered’s storytelling leader, I arrived in Atlanta on Friday afternoon where I met up with Kaitlin (one of my awesome teammates), and we hung out at the food court of the airport with a few other from our squad as well as a few from O squad until we could take the shuttle to our hotel at 5pm. After I checked in, I went up to my room to drop my gear before heading back down for our orientation before breaking off into our roles for an introductory session for the rest of the night then grabbing a late dinner with some of my squadmates.
As far as the rooming situation goes, we were divided up randomly, and not by team (as they prob figured we will be living together enough), and I’m rooming with Becca, EmJay & Maggie.
Saturday
I had storytelling training all day (9am-4pm) where we learned in greater depth our role of being a storytelling leader and the expectations of that role as well as tips & tricks about how to be an effective storyteller. While we were in training, the rest of my squad arrived for launch, and hung out while the rest of us were still in training. That evening after training was over for the day & those who had arrived today had their orientation, We had pizza for dinner in our rooms & chilled until our squad meeting where those of us who ordered a journey key necklace received it including myself (that story is be told in another blog) before worship with the other squads & all the parents who came before we broke for a session before calling it a night.
The most exciting part of the day for me was when the final members of our team arrived, and when I saw them I ran up and nearly tackled them when I hugged them for I was so excited to see them once again, and if you know me this is something that I usually don’t do as I m not much of a physical touch kinda person. (If & when team changes happen- its gonna majorly suck for me as I totally LOVE my team, and if it was up to me I would LOVE to spend the whole year serving with them for I know we will do great things in God’s name)
One of the BIG differences that I noticed about myself from training camp to launch was just how much my attitude changed, and my approach to it all, which was a total 180 positive turnaround.
Me at training camp: total feelings of “There is no way in **** I can do this, and wanting to turn around and bolt since I was freaking out about what I got myself into.
Me this weekend: So pumped to see all of my “brothers & sisters” for the 1st time in 6 weeks!
When I was sitting on the plane on the way down, listening to my music, it finally did hit me in the way that these 38 other young adults are my family for the next year, and that was quite emotional for me as I love every one of my squadmates, and am so pumped to have the honor of spending the next year with them.
Sunday (I am outside sitting by the pool writing this as I have been couped up in the hotel since Friday, and I needed to get outside as I am going stir crazy)
Woke up at 7:15am to get ready for the day & head to one of our teammate’s room for team breakfast.
9am-12:30pm: Parents had their sessions, and we had our sessions that included a session on AIM’s mission statement, and breaking down each part of it & seeing which one of those things that we as a person needs to focus on during the Race. We also had a lecture about health & safety (which what it came down to was common sense/street smarts mindset, which I have.) and we learned more about Ask The Lord (ATL) month. We also had a squad time where our leaders poured into us more of their vision for at least month one of our Race as well as a time to encourage us some more.
Lunch- This was something that I had debated about doing sense it was optional as it was a time for those racers whose parents came to share a meal together one final time, and I really didn’t want to as my parents couldn’t be here, but I decided to do it, and I’m glad I did as I got to meet my teammates parents, and their parents were so cool. I had the idea to skype my parents via my dad so that my parents could meet my teammates and their parents which I think everyone appreicated.
2pm-9pm
Just us racers from here til Tuesday now. It really wasn’t an exciting afternoon as we had more sessions, team time & dinner, worship & evening session before being released for the night to hang out or go to bed whichever people wanted to do.
I think God is teaching my patience as I’m still pulling at my chain
Monday
After breakfast, we once again had morning sessions where we had a session about conflict resolutions & feedback, and then after that we got into our teams to practice giving each other positive feedback & something that others see that we could improve on.
I’m going to put this out here now, and say that I know I am going to struggle with feedback mainly with hearing what you need to improve on feedback as I have NEVER been the type of person who handles that kind of feedback well (I used to get up from the kitchen counter when my parents to tell me about parent/teacher conferences growing up if they told me something I didn’t like that my teacher said about me- childish I know & I’ve matured since then, but I still HATE it. I am also still pretty uncomfortable with giving feedback too, but I know I’ll learn as its easier to give then to receive. I’m just keeping it real about my opinion on certain things.
After these 2 sessions we learned more about our medical coverage for the coming year, and all the fun details of that before lunch.
After lunch we had another session on a topic that I don’t really remember now as I’m chomping at the bit more & more to leave. After that we had our team meetings with our squad leader & squad mentor about our expectations as a team with the rest of the time before the all squad meeting was personal/free time where I walked with my squadmate Issac to so get a smoothie at Smoothie King before coming to sit by the pool & chill before the squad meeting then team dinner.
After dinner we had a time of worship, which is such an awesome time as it is just so cool to see everyone worshiping in their own unique way. I must admit that before training camp, I was the kind of person who just stood there and sang the songs, but now I’ve found myself lifting my hands up in the air during high energy parts of the songs, and that is something that I have never done before. We had our final session of launch to wrap up the night before we were released to go off and have free time to do whatever we needed to do to finish getting ready for tomorrow.
We LEAVE FOR BELIZE TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!
P Squad
Team Surrendered (My Team)
Team Ahava
Team Grit
Team Magic Treehouse
Team Agape
Team Relentless Love
Britt (Our Squad Leader)
Please pray for our health/safety as we finally embark on this incredible journey as a family
Pray for our Family members (both human family members & the furry family members)who we are leaving behind for a year
Pray for our ministry hosts & their ministry
Pray for our countries that we be serving in this coming year
Til next time Your fellow Sister in Christ,
Bonnie
Team Surrendered- Song of Songs 6:3
P Squad aka Freedom Fighters & 2018 Squad Wars Champs
Psalms 18:2
YOLO
