So someone had suggested that I should let everyone know that I did survive training camp. I'm alive.. woo! 🙂 Yes, I did fall off a tree during a group exercise, but the branch was only was only 7 feet or so from the ground. I was more excited that I had fell off a tree once in my life, so it did not hurt at all (probably used my ninja skills.. ok, my back broke the fall).
Training camp was quite intense. Going into it, I did not expect to get too much out of it except meeting with my squad-mates. Turns out it definitely pushed my limits and challenged me spiritually, emotionally, relationally, intellectually, and physically.
Here are some highlights or a few lessons from that week (feel free to ask me more about them if you like):
- We learned how the different historical eras has led us up to what many experts call the "Post-Modern" era and its impact on our western philosophy, theology, and the implications it has for our worldview. (i.e. the movement from theism to deism to naturalism)
- We had the opportunity to grieve the seasons of our lives and bring to God the losses and disappointments of life. Doing so prepares and allow us to embrace the next season even though it is painful. (If we don't, this is where addictions can grow.) On a personal level, I realized I had to grieve not only the bad pasts, but also the good stuff, including relationships and my career.
- I learned that personal space is such a blessing (and it's probably unique to America with its vast lands). To prepare us, we had different simulations of sleeping arrangements (see picture below). As an example, one of the picture is of all of us in the middle of the night, crammed in a yellow school bus without showering because we were "stuck at a country's border and need to wait until it opens the next day". Needless to say, we did not get much sleep….
- Also learned that I am more of a neat freak than I would like to admit to, I am very attractive… TO BUGS (got bitten a ton), and should probably keep my pack under 50 lbs or I may break my back…
Well, there's a bunch more that I can talk about, but I won't keep you. I should also announce to my non-Facebook friends, we're leaving September 10th. First stop is Guatemala. Woo!
Lastly, here is a pic of the whole squad crew:
Enjoy! Blessings,
Lolita
(P.S. Sorry about the lack of blog updates…)
