If there was never any darkness we would never see fireflies~ Unknown
As I sit here writing this blog, I’m so overwhelmed by everything that happened during training camp. I wish I could share it all, but the truth is there are no words that could fully explain what I felt and experienced this past week. Here are some very important highlights that I want you to know so that you can be a part of this once and a lifetime adventure and experience God’s faithfulness.
Spending 10 days in the hills of Gainesville, GA, changed how I not only viewed myself, but my family, my friends, my team members, and my Savior.
When I left for training camp, I saw myself as 100% unqualified to go on the World Race. I had no clue what I was doing and what God had in his plans for me to experience. As I met with the Isquad for the first time in the airport, I looked around and saw the light of Christ shining through each person on the team, which made me question myself. Why did I come to Atlanta? I thought, I was not strong enough to go take the love of Christ to the nations. I began to doubt whether or not I would be able to survive training camp. The last thing I wanted was to drag down the team that appeared so full of life and light.
The first half of training camp we spent listening and waiting to hear from the Lord. These days left me drained from the tears that flowed through my heart, from the pain that I have placed on myself and people around me. I realized that I was holding on to past situations and living without forgiveness. Walking in unforgiveness means that I don’t believe that God has forgiven every sin for everyone (ouch). I never realized that I was holding on to so much from the past and how it reflected in my relationship with Christ. On June 10, 2016, I chose to forgive the past, to release the invisible bounds that I had wrapped around people who I’ve loved. I chose to move on, to ripen the pain up from the roots, and have God replant that piece of my heart with peace, hope, joy, and beauty. This is just one of many things that happened in my heart at training camp.
The week consisted of being physically, mentally, and spiritually challenged.
Physically we had to complete many tasks including:
30 min walk with 30-45 lbs on our back
30 min run
30 min Zumba
3 mile hike in 50 min with 30-40 lbs on our back
Carrying people around the camp
Sit ups
Push ups
Planks
Living in 90 degree weather with 85% humidity
Each one of these physical challenges pushed us to be a better version of ourselves. One of the most beautiful things that happened this week was found within the presence of my team. There were times when some of us struggled with the different activities, but the squad was there cheering you on, encouraging you, to push harder. The encouragement that was seen through the people on my team helped me to believe in myself and to push through the hardest mental and physical challenges in everyday life.
Mentally we were challenged to push harder than we ever thought possible. We had to learn to believe in ourselves so we could believe in others.
ISquad =Squad War CHAMPIONS
I want to take a moment to brag about my Squad!! My squad is made up of 41 individuals from all over the world. They are the most loving people I have ever met because they have chosen to love each other for who they were and who they are becoming on the journey with Christ. This past week I saw my team praying over each other and being vulnerable so that their hearts could be revealed. It was crazy to see 41 people who just met, sharing their deepest darkest pain. The reaction was not shame nor judgment, it was arms wide open and love. This is something I have never experienced in my life.
I’m so excited to love, learn, and do life with these people. They have changed my view about myself and what it means to love like Christ. Even in the tough living conditions, etc.) we we found beauty. There was not a hot sticky day where someone didn’t compliment the beauty of an individual.
Beauty is something I’ve struggled with for a while. This week I heard a quote that has changed my view on my beauty. “God is the definition of beauty and you (I) was made in His image”. Because of God I’m beautiful and I’m not going to let the world and anybody in it tell me otherwise.
On June 12, I heard the Lord whisper in my ear. He said “this is what we are doing my daughter”. In that exact moment, I had butterflies in my stomach because, God had made me realize that I was not going on this journey alone (He will be with me).
I’m so ready to live each day with God, to do life as one. To see where the He takes me. If this past 10 days are any indication, it’s going to be a wildly-amazing ride.
I’ll leave you with an image that a team member saw of me:
“I see a little girl in a wide open field, She is chasing butterflies with a face of pure enjoyment.
This is how I see your faith, you chase after Christ like a little girl would chase a butterfly”.
Thank you for supporting me on this journey. Thank you for taking the time to engage in my story.
Below are links to YouTube videos made by some of my squad mates that will give you further insight! Make sure to subscribe for more videos in the next year!
Maria Kolar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSsYrPR8n5g&authuser=0
Jason Albano: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SE8k54bUhA&authuser=0
When in doubt, pinkies out.
