I heard the rain start to lightly hit my tent. So like the pro-camper I am (sarcasm); I naturally sat up and zipped up one side of my rain fly on my tent, on the side where I was sleeping. The rain quickly stopped so I decided to leave the other side of the rain fly open. It was the first night of Training Camp and I proudly thought, “Hm, that wasn’t so bad. I think I got the hang of this whole ‘sleeping in a tent’ thing” and quickly drifted back to sleep. A little while later, I was woken up by raindrops again. But this time they were hitting my body, not just my tent. And this time it was raining HARD. I scrambled for my headlamp as quickly as I could and tried to zip up the rain fly only to realize it was difficult to see and the zipper was STUCK. At this point I was panicking because I and everything in my tent was getting soaked. And you know when you’re rushing to do something, and your fingers suddenly don’t seem to work? Yep, that’s what was happening. After what seemed liked forever, I succeeded in zipping up the rain fly. Defeated, I laid back down, with wet hair and a wet sleeping pad. And that, my friends, was when I was initiated into World Race Training Camp.
Part of me wants to tell you that Training Camp was just like all the best parts of summer camp as a child combined, complete with s’mores, a big lake, and BEDS. I could tell you that it was a blast every single day and that I wish it actually lasted longer than 10 days! But you don’t want me to lie to you, right? 
What I experienced at Training Camp is actually very difficult to put into words, mostly because I experienced such as wide range of emotions throughout, from “OMG get me out of here” to “Wow, I am so excited for the next year” and everything in between. It was physically and emotionally exhausting, but so good at the same time. So, for your reading pleasure, here are just a few points of what the Lord was teaching me during these short (although at times very long) 10 days.
- If we create space, God WILL fill it.
On the Race, we usually refer to this as abandonment, and it’s the first step in a Kingdom Journey. This is a very intentional step of saying goodbye to your usual comforts and “go-to” coping mechanisms in faith that it will create space for God to come into those spaces that we have tried to fill on our own. This concept is pretty new to me. Training camp was so physically uncomfortable that some days I was so over it that I wanted to call it quits. Can’t a girl just wash her face and not use a porta potty?!? But honestly, when you are hot, sweaty, hungry, tired, and just at the end of your rope you learn to lean on the Lord and what he has promised rather than your own comforts. You also realize how much you actually DON’T need (full disclosure that I went a week without makeup 
). Those are the moments when God whispers, “I am here and I am worth it. I am proud of you. Keep going.” I am so looking forward to the Lord showing up this year when I am at my weakest. Training Camp was my first taste of abandonment.
- He sees me and knows me.
For my little introvert heart, being on a squad of 42 other people freaks me out a bit. But God was so good to remind me this week that I am seen and known. The God of the universe DELIGHTS in taking me by the hand and walking alongside of me. I was reminded that healthy community is one of the most powerful tools we have as believers in Jesus. The first part of the week was the most difficult. It was when we practiced stepping out of fear and shame and walking in vulnerability. My squad and I were able to be honest and vulnerable with one another and always met each other with grace. There’s something so freeing about sharing something deep and personal about yourself and being met with a “Me too!” or an “I love you anyway”, to be known fully and loved anyway. I am so excited to experience this raw community with my team! They will be the most influential people in my life this year.
- You can still be in process!
In my last blog I mentioned feeling like I needed to wait until my life looked a little more put together. And guys, I have felt so much pressure to be at my best possible state before the World Race, and have experienced a lot of anxiety because I most certainly have not been at that place. During Training Camp, I was reminded that no one on my squad has it all together and that is such a beautiful thing!! God loves to use messy people and situations because that is where He is seen the most clearly. Why is that so easy to forget? But He is so pleased with our acts of faith, like abandoning life as we know it for 11 months. I was reminded this week of the beauty of being a work in progress and the beauty of allowing the Lord to still work through me in those seasons.
So, with all that said: I SURVIVED TRAINING CAMP. I am officially back in Florida and a pro at the following: setting up and taking down my tent at a moment’s notice, eating with my hands, squatting to use the toilet, and living out of a backpack (okay, maybe this one needs a little more work). I have 6 weeks before I launch with my team (pictured below) for our first country…COSTA RICA! Thanks for following me on this journey and for all of your continued support!
