I’m finally back in Austin to stay for the next month. I think anyone who’s spent any amount of time with me over the past 2 months can confirm that I have missed my city so much. I’ve seen a lot of cool places in my life, but I’ve never loved a place as much as this. Safe and familiar and beautiful to see. This summer, Georgia and Indonesia’s got nothing on Austin, Texas. I’M HOME!
I landed in Austin early yesterday morning after spending 11 days in Gainesville, Georgia for training camp. TRAINING CAMP WAS CRAZY PEOPLE! Please ask me all about it because I have some awesome, weird, gross, awkward, and hilarious stories. From bucket showers and bugs for breakfast to incredible worship sessions and teachings, I experienced a full range of emotions and situations, but wow am I grateful for every minute of it. Please ask me about it! I’d love to share!
I feel like I have learned so much and grown an incredible amount these past 11 days that sort of felt like 11 years. God was moving and it was so sweet. I wanted to share the 2 most life-changing things I experienced with y’all!
MY TEAM! My team is full of incredible people. We all met 2 weeks ago, but somehow I feel like I’ve known them all for years. This was definitely one of the aspects of the World Race that I was most nervous about. The days leading up to training camp were full of questions:
“What if I don’t find anyone I connect with?” “What if no one likes me?” “What if I’m going to spend these 9 months alone?”
I wasted so much time worrying about these people and viewing this situation from the lens of my past. All I’ve ever known when it comes to big groups of teenagers is that there is usually judgement, hurt, flakiness, and cliques. This group is so different!
Being around these people was like a breath of fresh air. Consider my faith in genuine, real, and meaningful relationships restored! It was beautiful and encouraging to see how everyone was accepted and embraced with open arms. From the start of the training we were pushed to choose intentionality and vulnerability and it made such a difference. I grew to trust and love my team so unbelievably quick. When everyone has their eyes fixed on Him the drama and tension that seems so unavoidable in all friendships just melts away. These people are the real deal and there’s no one else I’d rather have by my side.
Aim higher! Choose to be vulnerable! Choose to be intentional! Choose to trust! Choose to love deeply! Choose to fight for meaningful, Christ-centered, and genuine relationships! It truly is your choice! Have the tough and beautiful and real conversations! Go there!
GOD IS SO GOOD! He is so so good. This truth was drilled into my brain over and over and over again every single day of training camp. It seemed that every hour I experienced His goodness in a new way! I have always believed that He is good, but I have never felt His love and care for me this deeply. He even cares about the totally unimportant details that matter so much to me. WOW! Jesus is better and so is His love!
Freedom was happening in Gainesville, Georgia y’all! He freed me from unforgiveness and worry and shame. He freed me to feel again! Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom (2 Cor. 3:17) and I can testify that this is true! I’m coming back to Austin feeling F R E E.
There are about a million stories I could share to illustrate His goodness and His power! These days were impactful and transformative and difficult and challenging and SO GOOD. I’m feeling ready to face this new season of in-between my old and new life, and I am waiting with expectation to see what He does.
World Race training camp: You rocked my world. Thanks for everything. I’m happy to be home for now, and so stoked to see the places He will make home for me and my awesome teammates next year. Let’s go!
