Day 2 on the job…
It’s already been decided that my apprenticeship is going to be moved to January and I’m going to be squad leading R squad from September to December with my squad mate Di Dinnis. I don’t know where I’m going, who’s on my squad or where most of the stuff I need to gather before training camp is located.
I spent the next couple of days trying to get as much done as I can to help get things ready for training camp because Thursday is all day training and Friday we need to go to the camp to set up. I decided to not let Di know that I would be leading with her, just so I could see her freak out in the airport. Apparently I didn’t spread the word to everyone who needed to know, because I got back to my computer to see a skype message from Di that said, “WHAT!?”. She assured me that it was the reaction that I was hoping she’d have but since I wasn’t there to enjoy it, it didn’t give me much gratification.
On Thursday we spent the whole day in training. Learning AIM’s leadership style, the process of the World Race and the methodology behind the training camps. I have to be honest, it all kind of blew my mind. I have been through the World Race, and now that I’m on the other side of it and hear how so much of everything is intentional and thought out. I have to come to the conclusion that it’s kind of brilliant. And it made me feel more honored to be a part of this movement.
On Friday I went to the airport to pick up the coaches. I felt very conflicted because I was picking up the Paschalls(my old coaches) and the Mcginnis'(my new coaches). As always it was great to spend time with Mike and Patti Paschall, they will always be like family to me and I love and respect them greatly. But I was surprised by how quickly I came to love Gary and Joey Mcginnis from the same place that I love the Paschalls. As training camp progressed and we got to know them better and our squad better, Di and I were astonished at how perfect they were for us. And despite how “inappropriate” they might be at times, they were absolutely appropriate for R squad. It is such a blessing to have coaches that are as loving and enthusiastic as they are. Because of them Di and I know that people have our backs and will support us in every way possible.
It was certainly a great start to training camp, and training camp hadn’t technically started yet! But Saturday is when the racers arrived. And transformations began to occur, in all of them, and in me.
To Be Continued…
