OSquad
Team Submerge
This past week of Training Camp was full of physical challenges including “sleeping” in tents/hammocks through an entire week of rain & cold (with a leaky tent- yes, I am returning that ASAP), exercise routines, eating multi-cultural foods with mystery ingredients, and dealing with several unexpected scenarios that may occur over the course of our World Race experience.
However, the spiritual and emotional challenges personally were far greater. For this introvert to voluntarily walk into a group of 40-50 strangers and be forced to not only interact, but to open up and form connections in a week’s time is a near miracle in itself! I learned quickly what I already knew… that there are more extroverts than introverts who pursue the WR.
I am thankful for the connections and divine appointments God placed in my life this week. I’m thankful for those who understood when I needed to escape for introvert/internal processing time. I did survive, and although I left camp exhausted, I left encouraged and with a peace that I was in the right place.
Below are some of my Training Camp Reflections (in no specific order):
+Despite any doubts that crept up in the ~2wks leading up to training camp, I now know the World Race is definitely what I’m supposed to do with the next year of my life.
+God desires to take me (and all of us) to a deeper level of intimacy with Him.
+I realized I have only experienced “moments” of this closeness and not a lifestyle of it.
+I want a relationship where I am in constant interaction with the Creator.
+To reach a new level with God, I can no longer be a “toe-dipper” in His river. I have to dive into the middle of it. I’ve usually err on the side of skepticism and doubt, justifying it as that being part of who I am. While there is a healthy balance of being cautious and examining for truth and substance, this often doesn’t allow room for God to move and use me as He desires.
+It’s a new season, it’s a new day
+”He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” Ps 1:3
+God often is speaking to us, we just don’t stop and listen
+My prayer: God, quiet my mind and turn up the volume of my heart that I may hear You.
+ There is freedom in dancing, hard to explain!
+ I’ve learned that my goal is to do ministry where the Holy Spirit is already working. God is preparing hearts all around the world and I am merely willing to join the work He is already doing, not by my own agenda, but HIS.
+Shout out to #TeamSubmerge
+I have the honor of serving, growing, learning, and building connections with each of these girls who I believe were placed on a team together for such a time as this. I’m excited to get to know you more and go into this year of ministry with you all by my side!
+”Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life” Ps 42:7-8
+ Submerge (verb)
1. to put or sink below the surface of water or any other enveloping medium.
2. to cover or overflow with water; immerse.
3. to cover; bury; subordinate; suppress:
4. to sink or plunge under water or beneath the surface of any enveloping medium.
5. to be covered or lost from sight.
+Lord, let us be covered/overflowed/immersed/sinking/lost from sight in YOU.
+Shout out to #OSquad
+I love how this unique group of people have all been brought together for the single purpose of partnering with God in bringing his Kingdom on earth. It’s going to be an incredible journey and I can’t wait to live this life with each and every one of you!
In these next 2 months leading up to my launch for the World Race, I will make every effort to be present where I am… Neither wishing it to pass more quickly nor gripping it too tightly. I want to live and soak up every moment… Continuing to build relationships with my WR family while also pouring into those already in my life.
Thank you to everyone going on this journey with me. It means so much.
