This past Monday I got back from 10 days at Training Camp in Georgia. Bear with me, because this blog may be a little lengthy…and full of incorrect grammar and run-on sentences.
Where do I even start?! God used Training Camp to open my eyes to more of Him and who He is. Before Training Camp I was so nervous and worried about soooo many things. Will these people like me? What if I don’t fit in? What if I can’t put my tent up? What if the food is awful? What if it’s weird? SO MANY THINGS. I may or may not have cried myself to sleep one of the first nights because of all of the nervousness inside me. It’s ridiculous what fear can do, you guys! But you know what? It was all fine. Everything was great. Don’t get me wrong, I know this trip isn’t about me and my comfort. However, I am human and those concerns come out in all of us!
So, over and over again during the time I was at TC I felt this overwhelming peace from the Lord. During moments of panic and moments of stillness, the Holy Spirit kept quietly whispering to me, “Hey, I’m right here. I’m not leaving!”. This got me thinking how quickly I seem to forget that HE WON’T LEAVE ME. I have such a tendency to worry and fret. Yet He continues to teach me, to be patient with me and to help me see how loved I truly am by Him. I don’t know about you, but the thought of Him truly loving ME and never leaving me makes me feel like I may bust open from all the happiness and thankfulness inside me. He really is a good Father. I learned that it’s okay to be vulnerable and admit you don’t have it all together.
With all that said, I have so far to go and so much to learn. I can’t wait to continue on this journey with the Lord!
Here are {a few other} little nuggets of wisdom I also learned at training camp:
1. I can eat small portions and be okay.
2. Cold bucket showers are not as bad as they seem.
3. While using a porta potty isn’t the greatest, it’s better than nothing! AM I RIGHT?!
4. I am capable of sleeping outside, in a tent, in the freezing cold.
5. I can survive without having coffee every morning.
6. Last, but certainly not least, it’s actually quite freeing to wear the same clothes every day, even if they are dirty!
So now comes the fun part!! I am about $500 away from being funded (through AIM) for my trip. I don’t even have words to describe how that makes me feel. I prayed fervently once I was accepted that I would be 100% funded by the time I left in January. Now, Lord willing, that just might happen! I seriously cry every time I think about that!
If you feel led to give towards my trip in any way, that would be so greatly appreciated. Know too that once I’m funded through the organization, that doesn’t mean I technically have all the funds I need for my trip. I still have to get vaccinations, plane tickets (to launch & home) and other gear that I have yet to purchase. I also have some really awesome people on my squad that are not funded. So, if you wanted to support them, too, that would be awesome! 🙂
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU…to all of you who have supported me in some way on this journey. Whether it has been by prayers, funding or words of encouragement. I feel so blessed to have so many amazing people in my corner. I can’t say thank you enough. I can’t wait to keep you all updated throughout the next year!
