So I’ve been home from training camp for a whole week.
And for a whole week I’ve been trying to figure out how to write a blog about all the feels that were packed into 10 days in Gainesville, Georgia.
At the same time, I’ve been trying to figure out how to adjust back to “real life”.
And while all the “real life” adjustments aren’t bad
[it’s definitely been wonderful to have a hot shower, comfy bed, clean laundry, and full belly every day]
since coming back from training camp I’ve felt like something is missing from my
“real life.”
Then I figured it out.
When people ask about me, particularly what I do, I tell them that in “real life”, I’m a teacher but on the weekends my alter-ego is a server in Downtown because I’m saving money for a year-long mission called The World Race.
But I think I’ve had it wrong all along.
I LEFT MY REAL LIFE IN GAINESVILLE.
So here’s what I learned about real life.
1. It is meant to be lived in community.
There was almost no alone time for 10 days, and if you wanted it you had to actively seek it out. And probably miss out on something awesome if you did. As an introvert with FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), this could have been my worst nightmare. But instead, I got to know 35 strangers really well. We ate as a family, worshipped as a family, slept as a family, and loved each other as a family. It was so encouraging to know that I’m a part of a generation with a mission to see just how well we can love people.
2. Forks and knives are boring. So are plates.
Almost every day at training camp represented a different continent. We learned cultural customs around meal times, and the importance of coming together to eat, even if it looks different than how we eat here.
On Asia day (day 1), we served each other and ate with chopsticks
[the neat thing was, our squad continued to serve each other for the rest of camp]
On India day
[I know, it’s not a continent, but it still got its own day]
we ate with our hands.
On Eastern Europe day, we had to cheers before every meal.
The meals were small
[I’m so glad I filled my day pack with snacks from home]
but everyone made sure to take care of each other.
3. I need indoor plumbing.
But if I don’t have it, someone in my community will be there to listen to me complain. And they’ll have baby wipes and hand sanitizer too.
4. I am loved by God – THAT is who I am.
We spent at least half of training camp talking about our identities. Who am I really? Once everything is abandoned and it’s just me, do I know that person? What I heard for 10 days is that most of all, I am loved by God.
Imagine a little girl running across the living room to hug her daddy. He picks her up, swings her around, smiles at her, delights in her. The confidence she feels that her daddy will catch her, will love her, will be captivated by her…THAT is who I am in every moment. Because the daddy in that story is the daddy that God is. He truly is a good, good father, and the child who is loved by that father is who I am every minute of every day.
I learned that in real life, I need to live from that place.
5. Crying is an expectation. Bring on the feels.
Seriously. If it didn’t happen, something was wrong.
I’m not one to share my feels with just anyone, but I found myself sharing my life story with 35 strangers. And it was beautiful.
Vulnerability is no longer a dirty word.
I was accepted for who I am, along with where I came from. God spoke truth into our lives that was difficult to hear, but only through those difficulties could we grow.
6. I am bigger than the bugs.
Usually.
7. Honesty. Live it. Speak it. And when someone calls you out for being too direct, celebrate with your therapist.
So I’ve had a World Race mandated therapist for about 6 months
[like a court mandated therapist, but from the World Race leadership team instead]
and I’m so glad I did.
We worked mostly on how to interact with large groups of strangers without being afraid to show who I really am, especially if a conflict arises. So I went into training camp telling myself that I am going to be open. I am going to say how I feel. I am going to be true to who I am and celebrate that I am who I am. Yes, I have areas of growth, but I also have a voice and I should use it when I have an opinion. And the authenticity at training camp made it the perfect place to step out of my comfort zone.
Well, it turns out that not everyone agrees with you when you use your voice. And in a team building session I got called out by a squadmate for being too direct. While I have to listen and take into account the truth in what she said (and there was a lot of truth), I felt good. I like that people don’t have to guess at what I’m feeling anymore. I don’t have to go along with something I disagree with just to keep the peace.
So, naturally, when I told my wonderful therapist about the interaction (a conflict that, yes, made me cry, but also made me feel empowered) we celebrated.
8. At times, rapping Sir Mix-A-Lot and putting on a stank face are the only logical things to do.
In all the seriousness that surrounded training camp and figuring out our identities, we needed to remember to have fun. Because what’s the point of real life if it isn’t fun? Cue Squad Wars, a competition between all the squads leaving in January 2016 involving a dance off, relay race, and tug-of-war.
9. Inside jokes. They happen. And it’s scary to go to a place where no one gets it.
Come on. Say it again.
10. Stop and Listen. I am meant to enjoy my real life.
I move too fast. There is always something else to check off my To Do List. But really, I just need to sit still. There are ways to be intimate with God, to really hear what he has to say. But it takes me slowing down and choosing to spend time with him to make that happen. My days have become too busy. Only when I know him, really know him, can I love him. Only when I really love him can I really love his people. And that’s what this whole year is about.
Loving his people well.
UPDATE
I am halfway to my $10,000 goal coming up on December 18th.
I would love to be fully funded before I leave the USA in January, but I NEED to have at least $10,000 in my account by December 18th to even get on the airplane.
[Side Note: Visa applications for Mozambique have been completed and will be submitted this month! I’m scheduled to arrive in country on January 10th! This is getting SO REAL!]
Thank you so much to those of you who have already chosen to support me in this life changing journey.
If you are able to financially partner with me in ANY capacity
[Seriously. Anything.]
please click the “Support Me” link at the top of the page.
Thank you to those of you taking part in the Adopt-a-Jar fundraiser.
I have two fundraisers coming up in November, one involving free spray tans and eyebrow makeovers, the other involving a fashion show and craft fair.
Feel free to email or comment for more information on any of those.
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