Ok so Training Camp. Wow. Never have I been so challenged in so many ways in such a short amount of time. God seriously took me on a wild ride these past couple weeks.
It all started out with a 24hr drive from Mississauga to Georgia which was meant to only take about 15. This ride was not ordinary, God used this time to prepare me for the unexpected. By slowing down to drive I was given precious time to sit in awe of His masterpiece. He took me through His beautiful creation as we drove the winding Appalachian mountains all the way south. These hills were powerful in more ways than one. Their beauty was breathtaking even after the 23rd hour. But even more powerful was the firm foundation on which they were formed. Each curve of the road had been carefully planned and the surface had been carefully carved to provide a sturdy path. Needless to say, this ride was stunning and God’s artistry showed up in His creation more than ever.
Fast forward to the unexpected part where God yet again proved His faithfulness. About 10pm the first evening, our car was parked on the interstate for what would be 5hrs. We were a 5min drive behind a flipped transport truck which easily could have sealed our fate had we been a little earlier. But instead God gave us a detour a bit before which left us behind this truck for a long stop where the unexpected formed one of my favourite memories. The stars were stunning, the mountains surrounded us, the weather was perfect. Honestly, it was the best-case possible for what could have easily been a terrible night. Sure it wasn’t convenient but we were so thankful for the blessings throughout the wait. Instead of this becoming a dead end in the story, it was merely a boulder that needed some patience to move.
Arriving at our hotel at 4am, absolutely exhausted, we finally reached WiFi to discover that another $1,300 in donations has been provided. Fundraising has always been a huge obstacle for me but God pulls through every time. But He loves to surprise me and prove that I will raise the funds through Him alone. So ya, trusting in His plans seems to be my best bet in all scenarios. Not only does He move our boulders for us, He provides us with peaceful rest stops along our hard journeys.
The next day I showed up to training camp full of nerves surviving on about 4hrs of sleep. Terrified, excited and seriously overwhelmed I met my beautiful new 50+ person family. God blessed me with the most amazing squad. I could not ask for a better group of people with whom to travel to the ends of the earth. Each and every one has an amazing story and so much to offer the world. They are all wonderfully created and I know that these people will be in my life forever. No matter the mountains we face this upcoming year I know God will unite us to climb them together.
Throughout the week I sweat a lot, cried a fair amount, ate little and showered less. But oh man did I learn how to love so much more. God grew me like crazy this week picking apart my broken pieces and forming me into what He needs me to be. I learned that silence and listening aren’t always torture (despite my previous opinions). Some of my favourite moments this week were spent listening to Him tell me all I had been waiting to hear for so long. I had been searching in the wrong places for what He’d been trying to tell me all along. (you got that right, God speaks, it’s real, it’s super cool.) I learned that I am loved so much more than I could ever imagine and that the only affirmation I need is found in Him. And I learned that I can do hard things when I let God do them with me. Even when I get all grumpy after finding out I have to hike at 6am with my 50lb pack, He’ll drag me up those hills and make it an awesome experience. Because He knows better than I do and letting Him lead me through the hard stuff is always the better option. I’ve spent so much of my life searching dark caves for what I lacked while He waited for me to understand that He is a cavern of precious treasures.
I ended off the week more drained emotionally and physically than I ever thought possible and still unable to stop smiling. I had gained a new family that will stick by me to the very end, a stronger faith which will never be shaken and an overflowing excitement for what God has in store for me in the upcoming year.
Training Camp was hard. It was unpredictable, painful, emotional, raw, exhausting and smelly. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I have absolutely no doubt that I am following the path God wants me to be on and that alone is reward enough.
God moved me through some pretty big mountains in my life this week. Social, emotional, spiritual, physical, mental, you name it. But just like the ones lining my path to Training Camp, each is beautifully created by Him and perfectly placed to guide me to His destinations.
