Before training camp I was asked so many questions: where will you be sleeping at training camp, what will you be doing, do you know when you leave for the world race, who is on your team for the next year, what will you be eating, will you be able to shower, etc? I really had no idea whatsoever about anything. All I knew was that I had a packing list and that it was going to prepare me for everything I needed to know for my 11 months around the world. Came to find out, I had not many expectations at all, thankfully.
We arrived at training camp ready to set up our tents and wait for the next instructions. Each day and each hour was a mystery. I never wondered what was next. Everything was "go with the flow" to prepare for what we will soon encounter around the world. I just told myself "don't expect, just be prepared for anything." Literally.
We were broken up in different squads, which ours was "L-squad" L-Yeah!!! =) 63 people from different parts of the country; men, women, married, single, ages ranging from 21 to 35.
Each morning for the next week we came to find that we had to pack up our tents/belongings and be ready to "work out" each morning by 7am. We never knew whether we had to go for a run, me teach a bootcamp class =), go hiking, play a sport, etc..but each morning was different. We also never knew what we were to eat for breakfast, lunch, nor dinner. It kept us on the tips of our toes.
Each day there was some sort of worship, speaker, and activities, but again, we only knew right when it was happening. I loved it! I was excited for the surprise. And sometimes, I was very surprised. After we set up our tents for the first night, I figured we would be sleeping in our tents always. Nope! One night we were surprised with our whole squad of 63 to figure out how to fit all of our belongings and ourselves on 2 buses to sleep for the night. (It's a very practical situation to happen on the race).
That was a very interesting night of sleep! At least I can be prepared for that now! We had people sleeping sitting up, laying in the aisles, on the seats, in hammocks, on top or under the bus, etc. Hilarious.
That was a very interesting night of sleep! At least I can be prepared for that now! We had people sleeping sitting up, laying in the aisles, on the seats, in hammocks, on top or under the bus, etc. Hilarious.
One of the craziest sleeping moments was when we found out we had to fit our whole squad of 63 people into 4 big tents. But that wasn't the crazy part. While we were preparing our belongings, we started to feel a couple raindrops on our heads. Looking up at the dreary sky, we knew that was not the end of it. Within 30 seconds of feeling the first rain drop ,it began
a turentual downpour!
Everyone grabbed their belongings and ran for cover to our tents. I personally think it was the most rain I have ever seen! Our tent felt like it was going to blow away, and as we looked at the roof, of course, we found a hole where water began to pour inside.
We tried all of our resources and ended up hanging an umbrella upsidedown to catch some of the water. We also had bowls on the ground while we pushed our belongings to the corners and scooped up puddles of water out of our tent. Wow, came to find out, another common preparation for the race.
Everything we did we had to figure out as a team. We no longer thought for ourselves. We now think how our team would survive through circumstances, what food will we eat today, where to sleep,etc…? We began to gain an understanding of the gifts God has given each person in these stressful situations and when the unexpected came, who would step up or how we would use each persons wisdom.
Welcome to my Team: TeamMATES I will be living life with for the next year! They are each truely amazing people and I cannot wait to experience the world with them 
We definitely learned that even if we had a plan in the first place that we can not expect it to always follow through. We really need to be prepared for any scenario and have to be willing to let it be ok. It taught me a lot of selflessness, encouragement, to be patient, slow to get frustrated if anything pushed my buttons, and that I cannot do anything on my own strength, that I need the power of God as well as my teammates to physically, emotionally, and spiritually get through these everyday battles.
I feel like I am in a movie right now. I cannot wait to be in one of these situations in another country where I know it will be hard but able to laugh about it and say, "Wow, This is my life." =)
