So, I’m back from training camp. Training camp gave me answers to questions I had, put also forced me to drink from a fire hydrant for 10 days, essentially drowning myself in just too much information. I’m still processing all the things I’d been told, and especially processing all the incredible things God did in my life and the lives of others, so for now, this is what training camp looked like, as far as I can remember (It’s all just one happy blur).
Arrival. Based on my texts from my mother, I think I arrived sometime around 4:06 pm, give-or-take several minutes. Actually being at Adventures HQ in Gainesville, Georgia made it all so real, but weird and strange at the same time. First thing I did was check in, which was a bit of a struggle at first because I was wearing the wrong squad color (my squad’s color is yellow, I was wearing red) and I was directed to the wrong area (oops). But after successfully checking in, I went to our campsite to setup my tent. The rest of the day was like the first day of school, where everybody is strangers so you have to awkwardly introduce yourself to them. Except I was going to be spending a whole year with these strangers, so that was intimidating.
I was finally starting to settle in by day two or three, except for my stomach was having it rough. Our meals were themed by a country, and consisted of meals commonly prepared in those countries… needless to say I ate some pretty weird stuff throughout the week (crickets, cow heart, stomach lining, etc.), but it wasn’t all bad.
When we weren’t eating meals, we were worshipping or attending teaching sessions. In these sessions, God really opened my eyes in so many different ways. I’ve emerged from training camp more mature in my faith than I’ve ever been. God showed me His own vastness not just through the messages and through worship, but through the way the people around me were responding and engaging through and with the Holy Spirit. I could try and explain more about the incredible things I’d experienced through Him, but I myself am still trying to process it.
Arguably my favorite part about camp was getting to know my squad; my second family for the next year. Never before have I met such wonderful people, and never before have I felt so connected than I have to the 53 people in J squad. The memories I made, and are going to make, I will treasure forever. I couldn’t have asked God for any better, cause He’s already provided the best. His best.
Now that I’m home, I miss my new friends so dearly. I woke up this morning expecting to be in a hammock, roll over and look at my friends, breathe in the cold, morning air of Georgia, and ‘gracefully’ jump down from my bed in the trees. But that was not the case… But it’s okay! cause in 60 days I get to see everyone of their faces again! I cannot wait!!
Thank you to everyone whose helped me get to this point!
