Hello! What’s up?!
Time is going by so fast and I have A LOT to update you on. I want to warn you in advance and apologize if this blog is all over the place. I have been writing this for over a month because there has been a lot to process. I have been adding things and deleting parts in hopes that it will somewhat sound okay. If something doesn’t make sense or you would like to talk about something that I wrote, please feel free to reach out! I would love to explain and chat with you! Enjoy these words that have come from lots and lots of processing and prayer!
Let us start with talking all things training camp. From July 9th to the 19th I got on a plane and flew to Gainesville, GA (well I actually flew to Atlanta first, but you get it…) for 10 days of training for the World Race. Man oh man if I could explain it in one word it would have to be WILD!!!
I went into training camp with so many expectations. Expectations of myself, of God, of my squad, and so many other things that I didn’t even realize. I had this ideal image of how I wanted things to look and be like. Let me just tell you a little spoiler alert, The Lord completely shattered those expectations and gave me such a better perspective on them! IT WAS GOOD! SO GOOD!!! Okay, sorry I am getting ahead of myself already!!
Training camp consisted of meeting so many people!! Getting to know my squad in real life. My squad are the people I have the honor of traveling the world with and growing alongside during this journey! Let me just tell you that every person I met isincredible and I loved meeting these people and can’t wait to take on this adventure with them! Squad W I adore you and can’t wait to see you soon. I could go on and on just about them, but I will continue to tell you about my experience!
It also consisted of many sessions of learning so many different topics, bucket showers…where you get a bucket and a cup and that’s all (they were actually super enjoyable! great bonding!), sleeping in a tent with multiple daddy long legs that liked to chill right outside my tent and stare at me (I don’t know why I was so afraid of them but I was. I’m working on it), worship like you have never seen before, sleeping inside for 3 nights which was the best ever (God is good), learned the importance of sabbath, a 2 mile hike with some insane incline that pushes you a ton, and so many sweet encounters with our Creator. Wow.
Training camp was hard, but there were so many beautiful moments that I will never forget. Learned so much about how the Lord views me and saw glimpses of Heaven on earth. This is something that I will be referring back to and thinking about for awhile! Still can’t believe it happened.
Once training camp was over I went back to the airport and after a cancelled flight and running through the airport to eat chick-fil-a (gotta do what you gotta do!) we eventually arrived in MN at 4:30 am! Yay!!!
I was home for about a day and a half and then left for my last year of camp with my Church. An incredible group of teenagers and leaders and I went to Lake Geneva Christian Center in Alexandria, MN. I had such a fun week learning and digging deeper. It is such a blessing to see other people that you care about running after the Lord. It is so encouraging! The atmosphere was so special, from the crazy games where I look like a fool to the late night debrief, the Lord showed up. He never fails to make His presence known! I’m going to be honest though, the transition from training camp to church camp was a little difficult for me. So many different things that I was still holding onto that I laid down at the feet of Jesus. I found myself searching my heart and starting to view myself the way the Lord views me. He gave me a new confidence rooted in truth. Sweet victory! I was super thankful for the opportunity to meet people and worship with a room full of hearts with one desire! Another amazing experience! Thank you Jesus!
…and now I am here.
I am here with 19 days left in MN. I am busy doing a lot of things before embarking on this huge adventure. I am starting to get things ready and being intentional with my time. Also I would be lying if I said that this time has been all rainbows and butterflies (I love both of those things, Just saying. haha!) It has been challenging. For real. I have put a lot of pressure on myself recently. I have placed some high expectations and in doing so have been so hard on myself. I have forgotten about having grace with myself and allowing myself to truly rest. I have been leaning into that during this season and seeking joy in that! I have been living it day by day and waking up asking the Lord to use me here at home and grow me in crazy ways while I’m here. There are days where I am very overwhelmed and want to just sit in my room and not do anything. There are days where I am frustrated with where I am at. Even in those times HE IS FAITHFUL. The Lord is constant. That is something I have always known and have sung in worship, but it never settled deep in my heart until now. The Lord’s consistency is what i’ve been clinging to. It is what I have been so aware of lately. God is always meeting me where i’m at (again i’ve always known this, but wow I have been reminded of this over & over & over again. How sweet is that?!). When I’m stressed about packing and getting everything done, He meets me. When i’m overwhelmed with seeing everyone before I leave and all the pressure I place on myself, He meets me. When i’m sad because I’m going to miss friends and family, He meets me. When i’m joyful and excited for what’s to come, He meets me. When I’m expectant of the Lord to show up and have His way, HE MEETS ME!!!! So stinkin thankful for the Consistency of the God that we serve.
I have been learning and growing every chance I get. Taking it one step at a time with grace as the focus. I want to completely embrace this entire season of life because this is only going to happen once. I want to soak it all in.
I know i say it a lot, but really thank you for reading and being here with me. The support and encouragement is something that lifts me up and keeps me going. It is unreal. So blessed by all of you that read this and pray for me and love me so stinkin well. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Very grateful.
Guatemala, Ethiopia, Thailand, and Malaysia (yep you heard that right…i’m going to Malaysia for a month as well!! soooo excited!!!) I’m coming for you with an open heart and ready for ALL that you have for me. I can’t wait to be in the action and experience it ALL. I’m covering it ALL in prayer and trusting the Father to provide peace as this transition begins to happen. In awe and continually being humbled by everything that this opportunity has brought so far. Come what may!!! Wooohoooo!
How can you be praying for me?
Your prayers are so appreciated!!! I cannot stress that enough! Please be praying for me as I prepare to leave on September 5th. Pray for peace for me and my family as we enter this next season. Pray for fundraising as I go on the field. Pray for my squad as we are all saying “See ya later” to our homes. THANK YOU.
with love & joy <3
Leanna Murphy
