TRAINING CAMP = COMPLETE
Hey friends!
It is currently 5:45PM here in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. I am criss cross applesauce on the spare bed at my parent’s house, staring at all of my belongings which have been strategically “placed” all over the bed and room. The jet lag has officially turned my brain to mush, and the mosquito bites are reminding me ever so kindly of late nights around the unlit fire.
To say the Lord did tremendous work during Training Camp would just be a complete understatement. While I will try my hardest to find the words to describe the amount of love, motivation, and joy He placed in my heart the last 10 days I cannot promise I will ever find them. Some of you may be anticipating gritty details of our weeks, moments, and days, but I apologize because you will not find them here. I have learned over the last 10 days that we really do not need to know the plan, we just need to be willing too say “Yes, Lord”. But I will tell you that the Lord placed each and every one of us at Training Camp and on this race and on this squad on purpose.
Each one of these individuals guided, motivated, and sometimes even cried with me during the most difficult and most elating moments of camp. When faced with the adversity of missing items, illness, session after session after session, and squad wars, we all prevailed in His name. So I encourage you to please take the next few minutes to scroll through the names posted below, and enjoy a few of the snapshots we all were able to capture during the last 10 days of loving each other the way Jesus loves us all. Pray for them, find them on social media, and donate to their race. Because these are the people who I shared tents with, shared meals with, and shared love with in Georgia.
Abigail Jernigan aka “Gail”
Gail taught me how to love, and how to receive love from both humans and Jesus.
Alicia Franzen
Alicia taught me that sitting in the front row is really important, especially when you’re sitting next to your new sister.
Aryne Gardea
Aryne taught me forgiveness, as in she always forgave me whenever my long flailing arms would smack her while I was dancing.
Ashton Mueller
Ashton taught me how to be a true Unicorn.
Aubrey Biddle
Aubrey taught me that Christ-like friendships involve praying for one another, down to the specifics.
Brandon Minner
Brandon taught me how to play Pterodactyl, which is a very important and stress relieving game after a very long week of sessions.
Catie Collins Smith
Catie taught me how much it means when you remember details of someone’s life. Even if you’ve only known them for a week.
Christy Gray
Christy taught me how to lean on people…literally and figuratively.
Emily Ann Burger
Emily Ann taught me how to speak softly, and how to patiently respond to others.
Fabienne Boss
Fabienne taught me the importance of language, and how a smile and a laugh go a long way.
Frieda Renee
Frieda taught me how to give, and how to give selflessly.
Morgan Feldt
Morgan taught me how to make ministry life, and she always made sure to tell me “goodnight” from inside of her tent.
Mollie Jewett
Mollie taught me how much just a small talk conversation about where your from can make you feel so connected to someone.
Rachel Cavender
Rachel taught me how a real good hug can either make or break your morning… so thank you for making my morning friend.
Rebecca Harper
SPARKLE GIRL, SPARKLE! Rebecca taught me how to literally appreciate the small things that shine bright in our lives.
Riley McHenry
Riley taught me how to speak my mind, and how to speak truth into other people’s lives. She also taught me that braiding hair is a serious sisterhood moment.
Rob Ames
Rob taught me that there is always more to learn in life, and to always keep learning.
Sarah Dickmann
Sarah taught me how to open up, and how to allow yourself to give your emotions to the Lord. She also taught me how to tough out pink eye.
Sarah Geis aka “Geis Geis Baby”
Sarah taught me the importance of laughter every day. Because true friends laugh at each other’s jokes…always.
Shelby Ross
Shelby taught me how to say no. She taught me how to accept a bad day, let yourself have a bad day, and how to not have another.
Taylor Flickinger aka “Flick”
Taylor taught me how a brother loves, and how a Christian man loves the Lord.
Tom Pond aka “Thomas”
Thomas taught me how to accept yourself, and how important vulnerability is in friendship.
Tori Field
Tori taught me how to grow stronger in spiritual wisdom, and how a Snickers and a Starbucks can really make your day.
Thank you Lord for placing me on a team with the most selfless, bold, intentional, authentic servants I could have ever imagined. Ministry is life, and life is ministry. So be sure to subscribe, donate, and take part in our stories!
Love, Cole
P.S. Stay tuned for our L Squad Training Camp Movie & A Future Blog introducing my team!
