I wanted to take the time to describe an experience that I had on the last day of training camp. I apologize for the lateness, but it still gives me chills to recount this story.
Let me set the scene:
It’s the last night of training week. We have an awesome night of worship and prayer and simply enjoying the presence of the Holy Spirit. By this point smaller teams have been announced, squad bonding is at its peak, and we are embracing our new family for the next 11 months and beyond. We are at a spiritual high point and no, we can’t contain it. We have to pack up and leave in the morning.
– Fantastic idea: Let’s go down to the dock by the lake and celebrate!
– Logical Kayla: “Oh perfect! I can drop off some stuff in my car on the way down to the dock, so I don’t have to worry about it in the morning. Yes to being organized!
– Not so genius idea: Me not wanting to drop my keys on the trail + NO POCKETS = me shoving my keys in a previously thought to be safe location on my person. (Spoiler Alert: It was NOT so safe.)
I get down to the dock. Everyone is jumping in/getting pushed in. I am no exception. Of course I’m jumping into a lake in the middle of the night with my squad. Best idea ever!!…except not really.
I get back to my tent (aka: home, sweet home) and realize I don’t have my keys. I INSTANTLY KNOW my keys are in the lake. Seriously, Kayla?! Ugh. Of course I look around my car and the dock (with the help of Rachel Tart’s flawless detective skills), but it’s dark and I know where they really are…in a deep, dark, muddy-bottomed lake with a bunch of dark rocks that look EXACTLY like my VW key (little black brick). FABULOUS. What a bright, shining moment of mine.
Thankfully, God had already taught me through the course of the week about running to Him FIRST and in EVERY situation. Yeah, losing my keys sounds silly, especially in comparison to some of the needs and prayers of others, but I was done judging and deciding what I thought was or wasn’t important enough to bring to God. So that’s exactly what I did. No, my keys didn’t magically appear in my backpack that night before I went to sleep, but what did happen was PEACE. God flooded me with His peace and kept me calm. I didn’t like that I had done something not so smart, but I was open to however God wanted to use this experience to teach me something (other than to think before jumping in a lake) or reveal something to me. To be honest, I was thrilled that He was providing comfort in a situation that I could have stressed about and worried over all night long. And do you know what…I didn’t lose ANY sleep over it that night. I slept soundly, leaving the situation in God’s amazingly capable hands and knowing He had everything under control. I know sometimes we can freak out when we don’t have control, but seriously y’all…what a relief!
Morning comes. We all pack up. I have 3 people depending on my for a ride to the airport…still no keys. All that’s left is to clean up the campground and head home. I tell my squad leaders I’ve done everything else I can, except go and dive for them. Now I know there is less than a .00002% chance I will find anything down there that I would even want to see, let alone touch, but it’s worth a shot, right? Two brave volunteers from my team decide to come help me (shoutout to Ashley Z. and Troy). Troy and I search for about an hour with nothing to show for it except some bloodshot eyes, tired lungs, and a small pile of rocks. I feel like I’ve been in constant prayer about these silly keys since last night. Just when I think I should get out and think about maybe calling a VW dealership, I see my squad.
All of them.
In support.
In solidarity.
In prayer.
In action.
In unity.
In community.
In love.
How awesome to see this group of people I’ve grown closer to in the past week rally together behind a fellow teammate. To show where we really stood as a squad. That was IT for me. It was so inspiring and I was so happy at what I got to witness and be a part of, all because of some stupid lost keys. It’s like God was shouting loud and clear, “Look at the men and women I am surrounding you with for the next 11 months of your life. They are here for you and behind you 100%, ready to point you back to Me at every step!” This is my FAMILY.
Some more of my squad jumped in and aided in the search for another half hour. I decided I couldn’t let these amazing people miss their flights back home and start to get out to help Rachel T. call the car dealership to come cut another key.
Just then, Troy shoots out of the water shouting and raising my key above his head in victory! Celebration breaks out. We are all elated and beside ourselves with excitement. And to be honest…I wasn’t all that surprised. This is what we had just prayed for wasn’t it?! We calm ourselves a fraction and get together to offer up a prayer of praise and thanksgiving.
I couldn’t have thought of a better way to finish our week. God took a major ‘kick-myself’ situation and brought forth much more that I could have even thought possible. God knows what He’s doing y’all! He has the power to transform any circumstance you find yourself in, and HE WILL if you just allow Him to. Even before the keys were found, I felt blessed and loved. I don’t want to say I’m happy I lost my keys, but….
I’M HAPPY I LOST MY KEYS.
(Forgive me, D squad, and may it never happen again!)
– I’m not sure who originally said this but, “Don’t pray for rain if you’re not going to bring an umbrella.”
I’m so thankful for all of those who are supporting me through this journey prayerfully and financially. It’s overwhelming and encouraging! I’m so close to my next deadline of $7,500 which is this Friday (June 20). I would like to call you to action by asking if you could support me (or continue to support me) as I try to reach the final deadline of $16,000. Thank you again for reading and wanting to be a part of what God is doing. I love you all:)
Kayla
