“Did they send me daughters, when I asked for sons? You can bet before we’re through, mister, I’ll make a man out of you!” (PICS!)

I have so many posts I want to publish regarding Training Camp, but the thing that remains in the forefront of my mind is how stinkin’ blessed I am with the team that God (and my squad leaders hah) placed me on for the next 13 months, that will impact the rest of my life!

I was talking today with another #NSquad member and I realized how much I dreaded the idea of a team of all girls initially. One of our squad leaders talked many times throughout the week about how she didn’t like the idea of an all-girls team at first and was on one and talked about her experience and the challenges and rewards.“Bleh! That would suck to be on an all-girls team!”

When we were put into groups for team building, the first group I was in was fantastic! I got excited; “I would love to be in this group!” God whispered, “No.” The second group was a challenge; “But it’d be a great challenge. I like this people!” Again, a quiet but strong, “No.”

Third group: all girls. Our assignment was simply to use our imagination and “build”. We started out struggling. We were too slow to get any materials and we had next to no ideas. “See, this is why we need guys on a team! Stereotypically they are faster, stronger, more fun to work with and look at all the ideas the guys are coming up with in the other groups!” A louder voice now: “Open your heart and mind, stop trying to reason and justify. This is where you’re going to be.” I tried to open up to the idea for the rest of the project but then came debrief about the group. I found myself complaining about the lack of guys and how I connect more with them and basically how I felt like I needed one in my group for many different reasons.

“Another all-girls group with almost all the same people?! Crap… This is my group, God, isn’t it?!” The fourth group was irritating to me at first. It was a “Your plane crashed in Canada and this is what you found; rank them in order of importance.” exercise. “See, God, this is the type of situation where men would come in handy! We need them on this team!” But immediately all of us chimed in about different uses for objects and their importance and we did really well on the exercise, comparatively speaking! I was shocked. I’m pretty sure I heard a chuckle in my spirit, “See, you don’t need a man on the team! This is where you belong. Trust me.”

I wish I could say that was my turning point, but it wasn’t. I prayed a lot that afternoon. I knew I would be on that team of all girls and I wanted to accept it, but I just couldn’t come to terms with the idea. We set up our stuff in the large family tents for the night and then the moment of truth came: our new team leaders came back to announce the teams. There, in the middle, was the team leader I had had the past two groups. I was still bitter. “Well, there’s my team leader. Here comes the official announcement of my team of all girls…”

A few teams were called before it was her turn to call out the names on her list. Two girls were called, both of which were on my teams earlier in the day which confirmed my place on the team, as far as I was concerned. I felt like I was going to cry. “I love these girls, God, but I don’t want to be on an all-girls team! Please don’t put me on this team.” “Trust me.” “Fine…”

“Cassie Wilson!” My heart actually rejoiced! I was suddenly beyond happy to hear my name; I was on this all girls team and I couldn’t be happier! I literally ran up to my team leader and hugged her, probably almost knocking her over. The other three girls were called and smiles and hugs were exchanged. “Okay, God, this IS where I belong. This is my team!” “No, this is your family…”

My excitement and love for these women continued to grow the rest of the night. We had a family dinner, many laughs, a definitely Spirit-filled team time where we chose our names, a few heart-to-hearts and even some moments that brought us way too close together where we saw different sides of our new teammates that we didn’t even know existed! Seven days before we were complete strangers; hours before dinner we were basically those same strangers since we hadn’t had time to connect with each other yet surrounded by 60 others. Ten minutes into dinner, I saw my team in a different light. We were no longer strangers, we were a family. We are Team Veracity and I wouldn’t want any other team.

So, without any more stories, I’d like to introduce to you: Team Veracity!

First a little definitional poem from God that was given to our wonderful Meg regarding our name:

Now, meet my family of incredible ladies from left to right:

Meg: Our “Maama” figure of the group. She has mad cooking skills and even proved it by throwing together a full meal out of the ingredients we were given and cooking it over a campfire! She also has a huge heart for encouraging others and speaking the things that God lays on her.

Catherine: Don’t let her first impressions fool you; this girl is an outgoing little fireball! She has already provided us with hours of laughter! She classified herself as a young Christian- a 4-year-old- but is filled with so much passion for Christ and experience that you would never know!

Sarah: Quiet, loving, strong, fun attitude. She has some definite hidden gifts that are going to be powerful in furthering the Kingdom and I cannot be more excited to watch her grow and share her gifts!

Emily: Our fantastic leader! She has a hidden confidence and I’ve already watched her grow and learn to accept the challenges that God has for her in order to strengthen her faith. She’s loving and has been nothing but encouraging to us as a team already!

Me: I’ll take this moment to share that I was asked to be the team treasurer; talk about outside of my comfort zone! My dad and I were talking about that role on the team and I had a feeling I would be asked to do it and I didn’t want to. But, here’s a little something I’ll give you for free, when you ask God to stretch you and expand the limits of your comfort zone, He will in large ways! Hah

Serah: What a spunky, crazy, fun girl who brightens every moment she’s around! She’s another example of my first impression being incorrect! Yes, she is hilarious and a joy, but she has a serious side that blows me away. Her organization, planning and ideas are fantastically mind-blowing! I can’t wait to see more of her personality come out in the coming months.

Dana: Dana seems to take the back seat. That is, until she knows the subject and knows she has to say it because it’s something other people need to hear and know. Her willingness to serve and jump in where needed is amazing. Her insight and sensitivity to the Spirit will definitely be an asset on the trip!