This year I’ve had the privilege of celebrating my birthday at training camp as a squad-leader for Gap Year Squad S.
My inital feeling to the thought of this was…bummed.
“Awh man, I’m going to be so tired. I’m going to have to sit through sessions. I have to eat camp food. No one is going to know it’s even my birthday because I just met them a week ago.” So on and so on and so on.
Super selfish. Super surface level. Super entitled.
As this week progressed I began to get more and more excited about my birthday being during training camp.
As I woke up this morning I got to encourage one of my squad members as she victoriously completed her fitness hike.
I got to sit in the presence of God and prepare my heart by shifting my mind from earthly things to have a heavenly perspective.
“God, thank you for allowing me to be here for my birthday, surrounded by people who love me and people who I began to love even before I met them. Thank you for taking me out of my usual birthday routine of being loved on by my family and allowing me to look to you and rely on you for my acceptance, value and love. As I walk through today help me to stay focused on all the ways you are loving me. Help me to remember and reminisce on all the times you‘ve loved on me this past year. As I go throughout my day keep me focused on your love and reveal to me what word you want to declare over my life for year 25.“
The Lord replied, “You‘ve always looked to your family for love, support, approval and to be made feel special on your birthday. You’re here, away from them, for a reason. I want to show you and prove to you that I love you so much more than them. I want to be the one that makes you feel special today.”
As I ended my quiet time and walked into breakfast my leadership team welcomed me with a loud “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” while all wearing birthday hats to resemble unicorns (my 3rd favorite animal). They surprised me with chocolate cover coffee beans, m&m’s, Starbucks, a balloon, a ’birrhday girl’ button, a card from my mom and we had biscuits and gravy for breakfast!
I know… their amazing!
As I walked outside I was bombarded by my squad of 48 with birthday hugs, all the ‘happy birthday’s and of course being sung the birthday song.
I know…. their amazing.
Throughout the the day I have received cards and snacks from my squad members and at least 100 different people have told me happy birthday.
Thanks God for defeating the fear of no one knowing…
After session, we headed to our squad meeting point where by the grace of God the whole camp got to randomly have brownies and ice cream.
OKAY GOD I SEE YOU!
There my squad and leadership team surprised me with a bag full of snacks and a card covered in unicorns that EVERYONE signed.
To end the night we had hot dogs for dinner, squad wars and baptisms.
That’s right. On the day I am celebrating my birth, I get to be a part of people being born into the kingdom of God!
LIKE WHAT?!
How could life get any better?
Man God is so good y’all.
Today I have had the most unexpectedly amazing birthday!
I have felt loved and served and blessed by absolutely everyone around me.
I had the opportunity to lay down all expectations and create space for God to make me feel special.
IN ADDITION,
I still have a fundraising goal to meet so that I can stay out on the field for 9 months with these young adults.
Because it’s July 19th and I’m turning 25
Can I get 19 people to donate $25?
How?
On the home page of this blog is a fundraising bar that says $3,800 and a little orange button that says DONATE! Click that little orange button, fill in your information, press submit and receive tax deductions!
Yall are awesome! I couldn’t do any of this without all your support.
God is so good! I obviously wouldn’t be able to do all this without Him giving me this opportunity and providing in everyway possible.
Thank you for supporting me emotionally, prayerfully and financially!
