Training Camp (aside from the anchovies)

Ahhhh Training Camp Blog!!
(in Georgia font, fittingly)
 

I could talk about sleeping in the fetal position in a school bus
(eh that's been done before)

the weather
(4 seasons in a day, whatevs)

The RED GEORGIA DIRT that they really weren't kidding about
(butt/knee stains a-plenty)

The awkwardness of eating with my hands
(aka my God-given sporks)

I could muse about the little crunchy dead fish looking up at me from the breakfast soup
(I ate Nemo?)

Rain hiking with my pack on
(totes beast mode)

How frustratingly huge my sleeping bag is
(like bigger than a basketball packed down, what the heck?!!)

Oh and my headlamp is a toy compared the others
(but it does have a rave setting)

And I never thought we'd have a dance party to Beyonce at a christian camp
(alas, Jesus does love Beyonce)
 

I could go on and on about the outer things
                                   the subjects that make people laugh
                                                                            the comfortable topics.

But can I go deeper?

Can I  tell you what I really learned?

I want to get uncomfortable

It's edifying

I knew not much at all about the power of the Holy Spirit
I almost felt cheated for not understanding the immensity that it is. We read about being empowered by the Spirit over and over and yet I had no idea (I bet most people REALLY don't get it either). I heard of healing… today. And of prophecying, and speaking in tongues, and all the uncomfortable subjects churches shy away from because well… it's not cozy. It was pretty freaky (but awesome freaky) to know and SEE that God moves TODAY.
Everything was strictly Biblical.

I wanna know where I've been?! Why have I never seen this before?!
I want more, please!

I had no idea about generational curses (look'em up, kids, it's in the Book)
I learned that there were some root causes to all the pain and hurt I've been through.
It was interesting to look at the patterns in my family and see the same thing happening from generation to generation. Widows, adultery, divorce, death of marriages in general. All this really makes me stop and think.

The power of words
What comes out of MY MOUTH makes a huge difference.
God spoke and things were created. What are we creating today with our words?
Am I speaking life into people? Am I encouraging and being positive?  Listen closely when you're "venting" and see what comes out. Be careful not to curse yourself or others… good lessons I've learned.

I need to be in the habit of asking the Lord to speak to me!
We believe He's listening, and we forget that He's speaking.
I want to be tuned in to what He has to say to me. Maybe it'll come like a gut feeling, maybe it'll be an audible voice, a picture, a word, a vision. I just want to keep asking the Father to reveal His thoughts to me 🙂 these newer concepts really blew my mind.

I learned to let go
We had to picture 2 chairs in a room, and I was sitting in one, and that person my soul is tied to is sitting on the other chair. There's a bungee cord connecting our hearts. The speaker asked us to picture Jesus entering in with some epic scissors in hand, and snapping that cord. Then having the other person walk out of the room and just remaining with Christ in His presence.

I saw something different. I saw no bungee cord. Jesus simply entered the room (sans cutting tools) and stepped in between the chairs. He stood in front and covered that person. I could no longer see him, only Christ. I heard the chair being pushed back, and knew that he had left the room. All that was left was Christ standing right in front of me, staring me down.
"Am I enough?" He asked.
"Am I enough?" I asked back.
He smiled, "yes you are, of course you are" and that was it.

Letting go 101, folks.

I learned that I need to be more observant
I need to use my loud mouth to advocate for the quiet ones.
I need to build others up. Instill confidence, make voices heard, and learn to listen in a whole new level.

I learned that confrontation is natural, timely, and brings honor.

Have I mentioned how amazing the people are?
How Spirit-filled, loving, and inspiring these leaders were?
And how fired up and passionate the chosen ones, the racers, were about giving their whole lives for the sake of Christ?
They truly consider everything a loss compared to gaining Christ.
Little did I know the people I hugged on the whole week would be family. My family.
 

I really love my family

Camping was great. Training was deep.
I learned that God is powerful beyond measure, and then some.
There is so much more about Him that I want to explore.
I'm giddy at the opportunity to continue growing like this.

Is it GO time yet?

Is it GO time yet?

Is it GO time yet?