June 12, 2016 is the day I knew that I was right where God wanted me. The day started out like no other day had before. Rolling out of my 2-man tent to the blazing Georgia heat; I was hoping for a cool day, but no such luck. After getting ready for the day I went to the dining tent where I was joined by the other ladies of the Isquad. We sat there enjoying what probably was rice and beans for breakfast before heading off to the training center for WOMAN’S day. I had no clue what was in store for me that day.
We spent time digging into who we are in Christ, whom God has called His woman to be in the world. We saw how Ruth and Naomi’s story can inspire our lives today. Ruth was loyal to her mother in-law and did not leave her; she made sure Naomi’s needs were met. Her mother in-law was worth more to her than walking away.
What if we are woman who said you are worth it; not woman who walk away.
After time in the word and sharing our personal stories, we all went outside to live out what being united as women looks like. As a team of 7 we had many scenarios that we had to complete. e
Each was a challenge in which we really had to rely on each other to make it through. Each challenge was harder than the first, and we had to overcome that which the mind says was enough, but the hearts says I have more to give.
We ended the day by gathering on the deck. With sweat pouring down our faces and red dirt permanently stained to our skin and clothes, we sat there sing, laughing, and crying. Sitting on the deck that night something happened, something changed. We were asked to imagine seeing ourselves in a mirror, only the person in the mirror is us in 11 months. How did we look? It was an insightful moment, to envision what changes will happen in the next 11 months, spiritually and mentally. Before we closed the night we were asked to write down a lie we had been believing about ourselves. We exchanged the pieces of paper with our lies on them and than we ripped them up. Believing that though lies no longer have a place in our lives.
We closed the night with prayer and then we were free to head back to our homes(tents) for the night. After a long day like this one, my head was spinning around so much that sleep was impossible. I decided to go up the hill side and sit on a log that overlooked the campsite. It was there, that Jesus showed up. As I was sitting there, stars above me, fireflies beside me, and woman of God just down the hill from me, I was overcome with JOY. Not the kind of joy you get when you get a new toy, no this was the kind of JOY that left you breathless and butterflies in your stomach. The kind of JOY that only comes from the Creator. As I was sitting on the log that night listening to the giggles of the girls in the campsite, I heard God whispered in my ear. “This is your new life. These woman of Faith are going to be there with you this next year. You don’t have to be afraid, I have your back. You’re all in and I’m ready to use you to change the World. Thank you my daughter for saying YES!”
AMAZING!!!
Journal entry from that night:
Thank you for choosing me to go on this CRAZY TRIP with You. I can’t believe this is happening, But it makes me so happy!!!
June 12, 2016 is the day that my heart was so full, I thought it might explode.
Even just writing about that day makes my heart so HAPPY.
I can’t wait to see what the Lord does through all of this. He’s already changing my life and I haven’t even left the U.S.
I love you all.
~E
