Friends and Family!
What a week I have experienced! I would just love to share with you and document something big the Lord taught me at boot camp.
On June 16th I drove to Gainesville, GA where my squad and I would spend a week on the AIM campus getting to know each other and getting a quick taste of training camp/the race will be like.
My mom and I pulled up the driveway of the campus with my big ole’ pack in the trunk, greeted with cheers and encouragement of the serve team. My mom next to me, excited and supportive, and me anxious, shaky, and sort of scared. As we parked, I looked around to find some faces I recognized from group chats, facetimes, and Instagram posts (which was so crazy cool). As I hugged my mom bye, these sweet people welcomed me and each other in a way that shined their love for Jesus. We set up our tents together, chatted, and welcomed our airport buds. I felt immediately bonded with my new fam. I started to feel a little less anxious and a little more excited.
Though I felt comfortable with my new friends, I was struggling on a deeper level. I spent the first night in my tent surrounded by the enemy’s lies. I felt alone, afraid, and uncomfortable. I felt super unequipped for this trip, and I felt silly because I already missed my family. I was questioning my calling to the race… big time.
I spent a good majority of the next day questioning God, wondering why I decided to pick up and leave for 9 months. I honestly started believing I heard God wrong when He called me to the Race. I kept praying and asking for confirmation and panickily wishing the Lord would just tell me where I was supposed to be.
That night the Lord met me right where I was. We were in worship, and the worship leader started saying a few words in between songs. He said, “It is not a coincidence we are all here.” That got me thinking. The Lord opened so many doors for me to be able to get to this point of worshiping at boot camp with my squad. SO cool. Then we started singing a song with this verse: “Day and night – Night and day the angels sing your praise. They don’t worry, they just keep on singing.” As I was singing this passage over and over the Lord put these words on my heart. “I got you here and I know the plans I have for you. You don’t have to know everything; you just have to trust me. I am good, all you need to do is say the next yes.”
The Lord is so big and so good and so trustworthy. My fear did not just instantly vanish but the Lord filled me with confidence in Him. When I am seeking Him, He will not lead me astray. He will not let my foot slip. Psalm 121:3
That was my confirmation. He got me here, He will bring me through. Because of the Lord’s faithfulness I get to go on this adventure. God is SO good. I am so grateful for the lesson He taught me that week and it will be a forever reminder of His goodness.
Before I end this blog, I need to sneak in a quick word about my squad! Gap G! These friends are on fire for Jesus. They love big and encourage hard. They are a testament to God’s intentionality. He perfectly puzzled each heart to form a squad that is passionate about seeking and growing the Kingdom. I am honored to do life with these humans.
The squad!!!
Thank you for letting me share with you what the Lord is teaching me and for coming along with me on my journey! Your support means everything to me!
All the love,
Olivia :))
