9 Things I Learned While at Training Camp

Still, the same question remains: what have I gotten myself into? Training camp was amazing; it was challenging, revealing, and spectacular!  I am still trying to process everything that happened in the past 10 days. I wish I could share with you everything that happened during camp, but there is just no way. So instead, I put together nine things that I learned during training camp.

 

You would think this would be a given, but I have an entirely refreshed feeling towards my relationship with God. I experienced the Holy Spirit in a totally new way, I worshipped God in a new way, and I dedicated my life to Jesus in a new way. I learned what it is like to be absolutely, head over heels in love with God. I am committed to living a life for Christ, even when it gets tough!

 

Immediately at camp, I started leaning on my own strength to get through. By the first night, I quickly realized that is not going to happen. The only way I could make it through training camp is if I was connected to God and leaned solely on Him for strength. Almost everything we did at camp was out of my comfort zone, but with God by my side I made it through!

 

I laid in my tent the first night, almost in tears, telling myself I could not do this trip. I was so upset with myself for wanting to quit training camp and go home. I thought everyone else was having the time of their life and I was the only one freaking out. I somehow got enough courage to make it a few more days and then I realized that everyone I talked to had the same experience! A lot of people on my squad felt defeated that first night too. I was not alone – I just needed the courage to speak out and be vulnerable. But that’s what the enemy wants; he wants you to think you are alone and the only person feeling that way. He wants to isolate you. This is when vulnerability becomes key in community!

 

That is something I have become very comfortable with. God knows exactly what He is doing and I do not. I stopped trying to control what happened and gave everything up to God. I serve a God that KNOWS me and wants the best for me, so I give up control in my life. 

One example from camp: 

Our squad was separated into teams (6-7 people you live and do ministry with while on the race). When I was put into my official team, I was not happy. I felt completely blindsided because it’s not what I thought my team would be. I was so angry with God because I wanted a different group. I broke down. After I sat with God in prayer for awhile, I came to realize this is exactly where God placed me and it’s for a purpose. It may not be what I wanted, but it’s where God wants me and I trust His judgement. I love the girls in my team and I would not want to trade them for the world because I know God put us all together! I believe that God will do amazing things through us! #TeamDAUNTLESS 

 

I learned this one after my break down when I got my final team. I was angry about my team, I was mad at God for putting me in this team, I was mad at myself for being mad, I was mad that I wanted to cry – it all became so overwhelming to me. So being a human, I started crying. I cried in front of my new team and my squad leaders. Then someone said that it was okay to cry, but I didn’t think it was. When I went to spend time with God I realized that it was okay for me to be upset and cry. God doesn’t expect me to be happy about everything that happens in my life, but when I’m not happy I need to run to God. He wants me to cry to Him when I am hurting and disappointed.

 

I have never loved so many people as deeply as I do in such a short time. By the third day, I knew I had my new family! Sounds crazy, but everyone in my squad will agree with you. The squad bonded so quickly and we instantly became the best of friends! There is not one person on my squad that I don’t love. I am excited about the community I have surrounding me for the next nine months. I could not have asked for a better squad to do life with! << I love each and every one of you – #ESquad >>

 

I’ll be real vulnerable for this one – I have super bad acne right now and I rarely leave the house without some type of make up to cover it up. Well at training camp, you really don’t have the time or reason to mess with make up because it is way too hot. So for a couple of days, I wore NO make up; I went completely bare faced. At first, it was really difficult to let people see what I really looked like but then I noticed that no one treated me differently. It wasn’t my outward appearance that was making people talk to me because honestly none of them really cared. Am I 100% confident with a bare face? Not yet, but with these amazingly supportive squad mates around me, I believe I will be soon! 

 

As I remember all the events and scenarios I went through at training camp, I cannot think of ONE that I was absolutely comfortable with. The fact that I was living outside was super uncomfortable to me, but to have multiple different scenarios stacked on top of that was crazy. But look, I made it through and I am perfectly fine. I’m even better than before! What I am beginning to learn is that my true source of comfort is God. My surroundings and conditions are going to constantly change, but God will never change. 

 

I am SO stinkin’ excited about this trip, y’all. I was excited before training camp, but now it’s crazy how pumped I am to actually do this. I met my squad and team, met with Jesus, slept outside for 10 days, and hiked miles upon miles to prepare for this. Everything I did at camp showed me what I was capable of. I would never have placed myself in this situation; I honestly didn’t think I could do it. Well, I can and I am going to! God is about to take me on an adventure of a lifetime. 

 

There is so much more I would love to share, but it would be way to overwhelming for you all to read in one post. I will be posting more throughout this month while I continue to process training camp. Thank you to those who are supporting me! 

 

Now a few pictures!

 

Some of my squad and new family! E – Squad!

 

My beautiful team of ladies! Team Dauntless!