How was training camp? I'll give you one word: Hard. A week ago, I had heard rumors and little tidbits about training camp, but honestly went into the week thinking: what can all the fuss really be about? I don't have much baggage from my past, I like being around a lot of people and make friends easily, I have a close walk with the Lord, and I'm a strong person…I ran a marathon for crying out loud. What could possibly challenge ME that much in 7 days, at a camp in the middle of Georgia?…it's not like we are going overseas yet.
If you ever have thoughts like that, be warned, because God's probably about to shatter every single one of them, leaving you nothing to rely on but Him. Fortunately in that process he has proven that he is 100% trustworthy with it all. Even when I'm physically, spiritually, emotionally exhausted, and feel like I have nothing to give, He still loves all of me and wants my mess, my pride, my selfishness and my failures.
After 7 days surrounded by 55 people I already love deeply, I was reminded what it's like to live in community. To be vulnerable when it's so much easier to put up walls, to be honest instead of polite, to strive to be Christlike, no matter the cost. I am so ready to walk through this crazy adventure with y'all!
…and for those of you not traveling with me, be glad you can't smell anything via email or Skype, because training camp also taught me that I'm pretty much going to be really dirty for a year. 🙂
