1 John 4:19 “We love because He first loved us.”
One week of WR training camp in Tennesse ROCKED my world. Really.
There are hardly words to express everything that transpired in just seven days. I am overwhelmed, in a good way, trying to process my journey through it. I want to share all of it with you, if I can find the words to describe God’s goodness through everything.
God blessed me with another family, 48 wonderful men/women, that I am honored to travel the world with, love and serve others, and grow together as a body of Christ In one week, I fell in love with each and every one of them. God brought us together, knit us intricately and purposefully, called us by name to love, encourage, support, and serve with one another. The individuals that form A-squad are NO ACCIDENT. God planned it, and it’s AWESOME!
Below is an excerpt from my journal written about my first day in Atlanta where I was meeting some of my squad before training camp actually begun, the second entry is about my thoughts/feelings after my first day of camp.
Pre-TC Meet Up 10/11-10/12
“I was scared, nervous, and anxious. I had a pit that settled into the bottom of my stomach.
On arrival into Atlanta, all emotions were heightened; I started sweating profusely. I sat down, taking a moment to settle, attempt to relax, take a deep breath, and wait to see a familiar face that I’ve never actually met in person before today.
A girl from my squad texted me, inquiring about my arrival – then three girls came around the corner and taking a look at the packs on their backs, I recognized them as fellow world racers. We smiled at each other and the conversation began. My uneasiness quickly fades away. It is replaced with joy and excitement. For one of the very first/few times in my life, I feel I’m exactly where I belong; where God has called me to be.
I called my Mama to share my excitement with her – that I wasn’t nervous or anxious anymore, that I feel so comfortable with these amazing individuals who are seeking God out in their lives, just as I am. It will be a spectactular journey to be with this new family over the next year; I am already attached and blessed by them.“
Day 1 – Saturday 10/12
“There are so many people/things to take in all at once; I am distracted, my senses are all on full throttle. I’ve never experienced so much spiritual stimulation in such a small amount of time. I am happy here at training camp, full of enthusiasm for the events that have already transpired and all those that are yet to come.
A-squad is absolutely awesome! There are 52 of us (there were a few individuals who went home over the course of the week for personal reasons); so many names to remember, but I think I have met most of them and had conversations with a lot of them. I am attached to the pre-tc group the most, what with our previous day/night of bonding, but I feel my fondness fastly growing for the other individuals on our squad as well.
The pace of training camp is leasurely but full; it is spiritually/mentally/emotionally/physically draining. So far our worship/training sessions have been wonderful. It is so good to be back in Christian community, surrounded by unique people with so much to offer. I can barely keep up with all the information/processing that is taking place in my mind and in my heart.
There is no ‘schedule’ this week. There is no second helpings of food, large portions, or dessert. There is no ‘alone time’. There is no ‘control’. There is no place for selfishness or self-consciousness. There is no comfort zone to reside in… And I am absolutely overjoyed to embark on this journey for the kingdom, through all struggles and joys, for the sake of following God and surrendering my life to Him.”
….And this was just the beginning of my seven days at training camp and my response to everything I experienced there. I will share more specific blogs about various aspects of TC soon.
God calmed all my nerves, my fears faded away, and I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
1 John 4:19 “We love because He first loved us.”
