5th Gen I Squad won summer 2018! My friend Tay uploaded a video of Squad Wars including our dance!
Training Camp is nothing like I assumed it would be. I did leave a lot of expectations at the door, and still was blown away.
First off was the people:
Racers from my squad, other Racers from other squads, our leaders, coaches, mentors, and trainers were so full of Jesus and love was just spilling out of them. They were amazing and so so fun!
Team Submerge!
I just love everyone so much!
Our fantastic leadership team! Carson, Ronny, Courtney, Jeremy, Ana, Bella, Clay, and Hope.
Secondly, camp:
we lived in our tents, slept on sleeping pads, bucket showers, washed our clothes in buckets. We even had field scenarios where we lost our luggage and had to bunk with other teammates, some people slept in hammocks, we even had an airport scenario and I slept on the concrete with just my sleeping bag(I did sleep okay though.)
I showered maybe 5 times out of the 10 nights we were there. Baby wipe showers are a real thing. I also got really good at putting up and taking down my tent, also can pack my big pack better than before!
Third: Food
At Training Camp they feed you some pretty great stuff. Some of it looks kinda funny depending on what “country” you’re in for the day, but so so good. Also it was a good decision to bring some granola bars because when you’re up late just hanging out, a snack is nice to have. :]
Fourth now: Worship and Sessions
We worshiped until we cried, I poured my heart out to the Lord, in the stillness I listened to what He was saying to me. Our sessions were some of the best I’ve ever heard. The spoke on the Church, our willingness to go, intimacy with God, Community, physical health, walk through the Old Testament, forgiveness, communication, feedback, evangelism, unity as women, world religions, Spiritual warfare, Spiritual gifts, Holy Spirit, making disciples, and we had two breakout sessions, I attended Beauty for Ashes (women’s ministry by AIM) and writing.
AND fifth: physical strength
We hiked 2.2 miles as a squad with all our gear minus our tent and daypack. God bless that our turn was 7 a.m. Because that Georgia sun is no joke. We were dripping sweat when we finished. Also Georgia is more hilly than I imagined. My hips and legs were so tight for like 3 days after.
Us girls did a bunch of workouts while the guys were on their man hike. It was like, 150 squats, 100 push ups, and 50 burpees times how many people were on your squad including leaders, so 30 times all that. Also more dripping sweat. We could choose what exercise to do for an hour-ish: ultimate frisbee, walking or running, circuits, and I chose yoga and loved it!
Last but not least: my spiritual journey!
I knew that the Race was something I was supposed to do for a long time, and TC gave me better insight as to how to do the Race. What to pack, how to act, staying safe, community, staying healthy, and growing in intimacy with the Lord. Worship was a time to reflect on what God has been doing in my life, quiet time was time to focus on Him and enjoy His creation. There was even things I was trying to stifle and not deal with at TC, which obviously the Lord was telling me to let it out because that was a burden I couldn’t carry alone anymore. Listening prayer is a journey we’re all discovering and there were times I could feel the Lord pulling on my heart distinctly. So confiding in one of my trainers about that issue was freeing, I could pour out my feelings and received prayer and comfort.
Later on that evening after Squad Wars, I asked him to baptize me.
I got baptized initially when I was 10, before I had a real relationship with Jesus and understood what baptism really meant. Being re-baptized in the faith I’m walking in now and the relationship with Jesus I have, was such a joyful experience. In front of my squad and leaders and even other squads. :]
This is my little key necklace. “Free” explains my spiritual journey. I found a freedom in Christ that is so amazing some days I don’t understand it. Free from my past, free from guilt, free from fear, free because He loves me.
I took so many notes during our sessions. This one is my favorite though. Our speaker was talking on the Holy Spirit and how we are supposed to be so filled with the Spirit that we spill out when people run into us. I was just thinking how the Spirit has been overflowing here at TC and covering everyone. Just as I write more notes I get splashed with water. Our speaker had an open water bottle as an illustration and got us wet on purpose. Best picture of the Holy Spirit in my opinion. This picture is my favorite.
In six short weeks, I won’t have the view of the Great Salt Lake to drive home with every day.
I loved Training Camp, but I hope these 6 weeks go by slow.
I’m not ready for goodbye.
