Hello Blog Family! 
I have just arrived back in Charlotte after spending the past 10 days in Gainesville, GA for training camp. When you hear the word “camp” are you thinking about swimming, bonfires, cabins, and singing? Well it wasn’t quite like that. We slept in tents (sometimes), had a timed hike with our loaded packs, hours of sessions to help us understand stewardship and what it means to be a missionary, and took bucket showers; among many other things!
I finally met my squad! We have 26 people in total, and we were split into four teams. My team is an all female team and we have seven people in total. The first country we head to is El Salvador. After our squad gets there we will split into our teams and head to different parts in the country where we are needed. We will do this in most of the countries we are going to.
I LOVE the people in my squad. It feels like a big family. Everyone is encouraging, loving, and a steward of Christ. I cannot wait to learn more from my peers.
Team SoulSpark! Starting from the top going left to right: Jessica, Amber, Chelsea, Me, Emma, Taylor, and Jenna. Each one of these ladies embodies Christs love and grace. They have strength and compassion, I’m thrilled to be on a team with them!
Initially when I started writing this blog I expected to write a summary of what we did at Training Camp. However, finishing up my blog this morning I feel lead to share what I learned from training camp. Which is:
God wants you to be uncomfortable
Reading that statement initially might sound dramatic or frightening, but it means setting you FREE!
Let me elaborate. I’d say the majority of people would not want to sleep in a tent and out of a backpack for a year? Realistically am I excited to give up my queen size bed with my comfy comforter and my sweet cat who loves to cuddle with me every night for a sleeping pad that is too small that my arms won’t even fit on it included with all creepy crawlies that leave me with dozens of bug bites? Honestly, no! That sounds uncomfortable! At the first glance I am looking at my sleeping situation with tunnel vision. I don’t need any of those comforts! They are a luxury not a nessesity.
Often you will hear people say “I would die with out….”
-A cell phone
-Airconditioning
-Electricity
-A toilet that flushes
-Netflix
To name a few. Will they actually die without these things? No. However, we places these luxuries on a pedestal and idolize them. Let me tell you, I was uncomfortable for the 10 days of training camp, but it was freeing!
Every day we get to make choices, because God gave us free will, sometimes we don’t make the best choices or choose the easy way out. I know I’m guilty of doing both of those things.
We go through uncomfortable circumstances and the enemy make us think/feel:
“No one understands what you are going through…”
“You don’t have anyone to talk to…”
“You are alone…”
When you turn to God and acknowledge his presence all of the worry and hurt washes away. You are NEVER alone. Training Camp uncovered things that I didn’t even realize I was struggling with. Emotions and fears covered up the root of my struggles. God placed me in some uncomfortable situations and because of that he has helped me be set free from those worries and fears! Embracing Him and listening to what He has to say to me released me from the chains of my emotions and doubts.
God has unlimited power and potential to help you.
The question is will you embrace the opportunity when He makes you uncomfortable?
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” -Proverbs 3:5-6
