I am going to preface this by saying, I thoroughly thought that I was prepared for Training Camp. I had read every blog and seen every vlog with Training Camp anywhere in the description. But…
I WAS NOT PREPARED!
I went into the experience with zero expectations, but also I was prepared for some of the scenarios that I had read about. Let me tell you this,
MY WORLD WAS ROCKED!
To put it simply, Training Camp was a roller coaster for me, all things spiritually, physically and emotionally, I felt like I couldn’t catch my breath. There were days that I felt like I was on Cloud 9, only to go into Session or Worship and have God reveal things that I needed to let go. Then, there were days that I woke up with things that God placed on my heart that were a struggle. I dealt with feelings of inadequacy and comparison for the first part of Training Camp. And this wasn’t something that I was expecting to deal with.
One session during the Gender Retreats, the girls were talking about inadequacy and shame. We learned that the Devil tells you that you are shameful and inadequate through thoughts and saying of “I am…” and “I did…” Yet, God doesn’t care about “I am…” or “I did…” because “He is” and “He did” and “He will”. God doesn’t care about the things that you have or haven’t done because He sent His son to cover ALL of our sins. All of them. Everything. And all God asks in return is a relationship.
Throughout Training Camp, my squad mates helped me realize that God only wanted me. And that I needed to have a real relationship with God.
On the last day of Training Camp, racers are given the opportunity to be baptized and commit ourselves to the relationship that we have decided to have with God. I was baptized as an infant, but that wasn’t my decision. On June 13th, I decided that I wanted to publicly declare my relationship with God. I was baptized in front of the people that will be my family for the next 11 months, and by the person that has been my best friend in this stage of my life. By being baptized, I am saying yes to everything that God has planned for me in this next 11 months, and for the rest of my life.
God’s love for us is INCREDIBLE! And He gives us a wonderful example of His love through the community that He brings us! Training Camp has really opened my eyes to the importance of a Christian community. Having to rely on them for just 11 days, truly showed me just how much I am going to need them for the next year. Each one of them deserves the world and God is going to do so many wonderful things through them.
While at Training Camp, I was lucky enough to get to celebrate my 23rd birthday with my squad. They went ABOVE AND BEYOND to make me feel special! We celebrated with a piñata, candy, notes, games, and tons of happy birthdays! From the first time that I met them, I was floored by the wonderful people that God has brought me! Every chance I get to spend with them just furthers solidifies that God is calling me to this adventure, with these people!
Stay tuned for more of our adventures!
As always, I invite you to make my journey, your journey. Here are three simple ways:
- The most important, PRAY.
- Donate. (If you would like to donate, click the orange “Donate!” button in the top right-hand corner or reach out to me for more information!)
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