"How was Training Camp?"
I’ve been asked that question a lot these last few days. Usually my response is something like, “It was AWESOME!” Then I start stating in what ways they prepared us mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually for the year ahead of us. I talk about how sleeping on a bus or “losing all your luggage in Asia” and wearing the same clothes for 3 days is not so bad and makes for a funny story in the end. I laughingly, in all sincerity, tell them that I decided to become a minimalist after only 5 minutes into a 30 minute hike all with my gear on! I tell them how completely wonderful AIM is and how blessed I am to be sent out by such a God-honoring and loving group of people. I explain how incredibly amazing my squad and my team is and how I had so much fun getting to know them. I end up using the word “excited” about 50 times in one conversation.
What I wish I had more time to talk about though are the changes that happened in my heart. What I want to talk about is how I learned to dance and sing at the top of my lungs with not a care in the world. Before last week, I was still carrying around a shell that I hid behind. I still had voices in my head that told me that I would look silly if I expressed the joy in my heart through dance. I would have an urge to dance during worship but held myself back out of fear. Last week at training camp God used AIM to facilitate an atmosphere and a community where God is #1, fear is unwelcome, and love is the reason. I danced for joy for my Jesus as if we were the only 2 people in the room.
Training Camp built in me confidence. There are over 50 awesome people on my squad and before this week I barely knew them. Going into the week I committed to God that I would be present, be all-in, and be authentic. I didn’t try to be liked, loved, or received and guess what? I was liked, loved, and received just by being myself. I wore no makeup, I was dirty, I was tired and grumpy at times, and I was completely loved right where I was at. This was so healing for me that before I left for work today, I felt no need to spend any extra time in front of the mirror in order to look a certain way. What you see is what you get…and what you get is valued, secure, and beautiful me!
God settled in my heart at Training Camp that I AM READY! I am convinced that God sees me as pure, worthy because of His sacrifice, and totally free of hindrances. I let go of the pain from my past that has threatened to keep me paralyzed and now my gaze is forward-focused. Now, I am so ready to watch God move in power through the nations with the word of His testimony! I am ready and willing for God to fill me up to fill others with His unstoppable love. I am so ready, right now, to love people like God has shown me to love. I am ready to get closer to God and live out my destiny by using the gifts He has given me to bring Him glory. I am ready to settle for nothing less than God’s best for me… and His best for me is The World Race!
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Friends, I am so excited to say that I only have about $6,050 left to raise before I am fully funded! Thank you so much for allowing God to use you in the Kingdom through supporting me on this journey! I am so extremely grateful for you!
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Many blessings,
Laura
