I just got home from 10 days of training camp at the Adventures in Missions headquarters in Gainesville, Georgia. During the past two weeks, I have been challenged, changed, and awakened to how deeply my God loves and pursues me. I have so much to share about what I learned and experienced at training camp, and I wanted to start with this sweet sneak peek.
During one of our sessions, the speaker instructed us to make a list of the ways we felt God pursue us during the past week. I didn’t have any trouble making my list, because I have never felt so loved.
Although I have always known that I am loved by God, I experienced and felt that love at a new level during training camp. I truly feel loved for who I am, and I believe that nothing I do or don’t do can make God’s love for me change. I am loved beautifully by my squad, a community unlike I’ve ever experienced before. They will love me when it’s easy, and when it’s not easy they will still choose to love me.
Here is a list of 25 ways God pursued me during the past two weeks.
- Sarah and her family opened up their home to me and some of our other squadmates before training camp. They went way above hospitality and generosity, and I still kind of hope they’ll adopt me. I hear there’s a wait list for that though.
- I got to worship with people from my squad at two services in Nashville before training camp. It was a beautiful time that I’ll always cherish.
- On the first morning of training camp, Michael helped me pack up my tent. He is an amazing example of gentle kindness, and his eyes can ask you how you’re doing across a crowded room.
- Kristen’s hugs give me life. She walks in power and love.
- Valerie spoke truth over a lie I’ve been believing for many years. I will never forget what she said as long as I live. You can ask me about it sometime if you want.
- When I was feeling sick, RaeLynn and my team laid hands on me and prayed for healing. I felt seen and known and loved.
- We had several sessions on identity, and I could feel the Holy Spirit elbowing me in the ribs. I have renewed confidence of who I am created to be.
- Kelly is super intentional about asking how people are doing. I love and appreciate her so much.
- During our 2.2 mile hike with our packs, staff and leadership ran with us and spoke words of encouragement.
- Molly Fae felt like a sister to me the first time I met her. I’m not sure why, but sometimes your heart is just connected to people like that.
- For most of training camp, we had worship every morning and night. I learned that I don’t need lyrics to pour a heart song out to my Father.
- The Lord provided a lot of sunshine, which always brings me joy.
- Maci has a somewhat inappropriate but hilarious sense of humor and I adore her.
- Sarah watches out for people who might be feeling lonely. I am blessed to experience her friendship and loving kindness.
- Camping is one of my favorite activities, and the Lord knows it. I loved tenting out for two weeks.
- Our squad mentor, advisor, leaders, and coaches constantly poured wisdom and love into all of us. I am looking forward to continue to learn from their example.
- Ty said he was excited to work alongside me as a logistics coordinator; I’m really looking forward to seeing how God uses him this year.
- One night we were able to have a campfire, which is my #1 love language. We worshipped as a squad and it was wonderful.
- The men of our squad washed the women’s feet. They also shared how they see God working in us. Lee washed my feet – thanks for your servant heart, Lee.
- So many of my squadmates shared their stories openly and vulnerably, even before knowing each other well. They are choosing community before they feel safety, and that is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.
- Emilie told me that she related to something that I’ve been struggling with; not only did that help me feel better about sharing it, it also convinced me even more that we are twins.
- Laurie is a great leader. I’ve already been blessed by her calm spirit. She also has strong communication and relational skills that I can learn from.
- Nikki shared that she sees humility in me and feels like the Lord is going to use me to teach her something. I can’t express how much her sharing that meant to me.
- Brittany said that the Spirit makes me radiant and I believe her. She also said that the Lord is going to do amazing things through me.
- Andrew drove me to the airport after training camp. His joy and passion for God and others is contagious, and I soak it up every time I’m near him.
I’ve never experienced this before, but it felt like each day of training camp God filled me up. Then the next day he filled me up more, even though I thought I was already full. As my friend Valerie says, God increases our capacity to love and be loved.
These are just a few of the ways that God pursued me the past two weeks. I encourage you to sit down a create a similar list of your own. Even if you don’t feel close to the Lord at the moment, know that his love is present in your life at all times. Try looking around for it.
There will be many more stories from training camp coming soon. I want to give a huge thank you to my supporters right now. Even if I weren’t going on the race, training camp itself changed my life. I can’t wait to share more about it with you.
Recklessly love and be loved,
Em
