Trying to write a blog about training camp has been agonizing, just trying to process everything has been a process..a long exhausting…half the time I end up in the corner crying because I don’t know what to do with myself process. At one point I decided I just wouldn’t write a blog about camp seeing as how is was such a struggle, however training camp changed my life and will forever be a huge part of my story so here I am. With that said I will do my best to express the wonderful ways God blessed me and of the Lord’s transformation of me and my life during that fateful week….chances are this will a bit of a mess to read (my apologizes). This will be just a small glimpse of lots of things I loved & learned that week and of many many things he’s working in me right now, hopefully someday there will a completion blog! Ha J
Funny I joke about that, I just remembered I recently had this scripture bless me…
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” -Philippians 1:6
It must have been God’s perfect timing again because training camp couldn’t have come at a more perfect time- just before God and mines one year anniversary-the end of one chapter- the begging of another. For me this year has held many challenges, lots of (unwanted) pruning, quite a few tears, tons of growth, lots of time spent getting molded and re molded by the potter, experiences of so much joy I thought my heart would burst, more time then I’d like in the refiners fire, some more tears and more gentle straightening of the bended reed Nikki by my Heavenly Father and so so much more!
“But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter.”-Isaiah 64:8
Camp was the epicenter of all that, all that the Lord’s done in my life and all the work that he is doing and will continue to do. I’m not going to lie it basically knocked my socks off!
“..and some of the wise shall stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made white, until the time of end..”-Daniel 11:35
He really really REALLY answers prayers! Holy cow…prayers I had forgotten I’d prayed, prayers I’ve prayed for years…prayers that I’ve held buried deep in my heart of hearts and never actually prayed. He answered them ALL and so many more on so many levels. To do this he used some of the amazing individuals on my squad and at times the entire squad. Sometimes it was words of truth, other times is was a much needed love filled hug, sometimes the answer was in the challenge and team bonding, others it was in the laughter and silly moments.
“I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.” -Psalm 116:1&2
For the first time in my entire life I saw the women he created me to be, I felt like for the first time I saw myself as he sees me. I think that was one of my favorite parts, here we are all sweating like pigs (that’s GA in July for ya) I probably hadn’t showered in a few days, my clothes REEKED, I was hairier then I’d like to be and I wasn’t wearing a stitch of makeup and as I stood in the pavilion praising and loving the Lord never in my entire have I felt more beautiful. I didn’t care that I smelled or that I didn’t look cute or that my hair hadn’t been washed and was starting to stand on end like Einstein’s. None of that mattered because I knew I was a daughter of the King, I knew I was a princess, and I knew to Him that I was beautiful! Not only did I know that he thought I was beautiful, but I knew in that moment that he does love me, and not because he loves everyone, but because He loves ME because I’m me..stink and all and He delights in ME. If only I could live in that moment forever, if only more people had moments like that, if only we always saw ourselves as beautiful prince and princesses and saw each other that way too..if only everyone could see that He delights in them too! J
“Behold, you are beautiful, my love; behold you are beautiful…Behold, you are beautiful, my beloved, truly delightful.” -Song of Solomon 1: 15&16
One thing I learned at camp that keeps ringing in my mind is that “God cares less about our comfort and more about our character.” I definitely experienced that first hand that week, and have many times since being home. Between the team activities, and all girls squad and just being in hot and humid Georgia I was constantly being stretched and in situations where I would normally be very uncomfortable…such as a dance off, in day light! Ha ..but through all those experiences I experienced his glorious grace and how following him through thick and thin, through what is comfortable and what isn’t, not only does he grow you in that but he blesses you and its amazing to see his work in that! I have much more on this topic however I will save that for a later blog.
“Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.” -1 Samuel 12:24
