I have never been more encouraged to be so REAL. Real with myself and real with others. I recently returned from training camp in the beautiful hills of Copperhill, TN, right along the Ocoee river. The environment that World Racer alumni and AIM staff provided made me feel comfortable to be honest with myself and my squad mates whom I will be spending the next year with.
Sleeping arrangement one night 🙂
Not gonna lie, I approached training camp a bit skeptical and weary. Sure, I was excited to meet everyone that I had been conversing with over blogs and Facebook, but I also dreaded meeting and going deep with 60 new people! I say that because I am coming from an incredible, tight-knit community at home and I selfishly did not want to really leave that. However, God quickly reminded me that the whole reason I am doing this crazy trip is because I do not want to settle for “comfortable” any longer!
It was certainly overwhelming at first. But the way camp was organized set each of us up to connect and engage with one another. Worship was intense and incredible. So many meals, activities and changes throughout the week were challenging but now looking back I see how much they will help us on the field.
Training camp gave me a small glimpse of what the next 11 months may look like. It got me excited because half way through the week I thought, “Yeah, I think I could get used to this kind of living.” I met and went deep with many new friends and it was beautiful. I feel like God expanded my heart for community and I cannot imagine doing the world race without them.
From top Left: Melissa and me. Molly Kursti and I. Joshua and I.
I cannot tell you how many times squad leaders and staff validated us over and over until we believed in ourselves. I believe in my team and squad mates too. I believe God wants my voice to be heard. I believe He has called me to give up my entitlements, my rights and my comfort. And in that I have found freedom.
Oh yeah…and I really did only shower 2 times while at camp….lots of freedom there too! 😉
