Well, Training Camp has officially ended and I am now only 45 days away from Launch! During my time at TC, I got to meet my squad (P Squad!), who are the 36 other racers I will be traveling across the globe with, our two Squad Leaders Erica and Brittany, and our Squad Mentor Maddie, as well as some other AMAZING Trainers! Over the course of the 10 days I was there, God completely wrecked me in the most beautiful way possible. I pushed physical boundaries I didn’t know I could, I found freedom in the darkest places, and learned to overcome fears, so let me share a little with you!
- Physically: Training Camp taught me that I actually CAN fall asleep without feeling clean, because when all you have for a shower is a 5 gallon bucket, a plastic measuring cup, and a hose that spits out ice cold water, you learn that not everything has to be squeaky clean. This also goes for falling asleep in a hammock sweating at 10:00pm and waking up at 6:15am shivering, and realizing that getting out of your hammock at 2:30 in the morning to walk all the way to the porta potties in pitch black isn’t really worth it, you should just hold it. Training Camp also taught me that even when I physically feel like I cannot push myself harder, I can lean on Him and do all things through Christ. I was able to finish my 2.2 mile hike with ~38lbs in my pack in 33 minutes, 5 minutes faster than the requirement! Through all of these challenges I found that when I am strong enough, I can push through and support others, but when I am not strong enough, God is there to be my support and help me through.
- Spiritually: Throughout the 10 days of TC, God brought to light in me people who I had not forgiven for wrongdoings, He showed me areas in my life where I had thought I had grown but really only broken the surface. In one session we learned the difference between shame and guilt, and how shame is of the enemy and tears people apart, but guilt brings the issue forward and helps people grow. God showed my places in my life where I still carry shame, and I learned how to sit and be still with Him, and work through each of those areas in my life. Through this I found some of the most amazing freedom I have ever felt, and the weight lifted from my shoulders was so large that when God showed it to my it was hard for me to believe I was ever able to carry so much. I have now challenged myself in these next 6 weeks leading up to the Race to sit with Him more in silence, to be still, and to know that He is Good, He is God.
- Emotionally: By now I’m sure you’re wondering, “Summer, you said BIG bugs in your title, where are they?” Well here it is my friends. As some of you know, I don’t have a very big issue with bugs, snakes, critters, etc. The only thing I have never been able to come to terms with though is my creepy-crawling dislike of spiders. Over the past 22 years of my life I have come across many spiders in all shapes and sizes, some even as big as a dinner plate (thank you Nicaragua). So when I arrived to TC and set up my tent, I immediately became close neighbors with a very large daddy long leg, you know, the ones with tiny orange bodies and legs longer than your fingers? Yes, those. I knew God was preparing me for the plentiful amount of spiders that I will encounter on the Race. I also realized this when I woke up every morning after sleeping outside in my hammock with my MOUTH OPEN. Maybe that’s His way of telling me I need to eat more protein? Anyways, I was slowly getting used to these little crawly things until…lone behold…the worst possible thing of my nightmares appeared…something I didn’t even think existed…it was a gross, black, BIG…SPRICKET!! Now you ask, what is a spricket? Well it is simply a mix between a SPIDER and a CRICKET and it proceeded to jump on my in the middle of the night (like I said, those bathroom trips at 2:30 in the morning, so not worth it).
Needless to say TC tested each and every part of me, physically, spiritually, and definitely emotionally. God is preparing me and my squad for a year of growth and learning in every aspect of our spiritual walk with Him, and we will come out stronger than ever. I am so excited to see where this journey takes each and every one of us, especially me. I am most excited to grow in my intimacy with the Lord and further my walk with Him. And in case you needed just one last final reminder…
THIS IS A SPRICKET!!!
