JESUS IS WORTHY!!! He is worthy of my whole life and all my worship. He's worthy of this hard yes to follow Him! All I have to give Him is a heart radically surrendered.

so far it's been a week of training camp and sooo much has happened. i've already grown and been insanely stretched. it's been hard and it's been sweet. i'd love to fill yall in!!

Life at AIM

Living here at the Adventures in Missions base is quite the experience. We sleep in tents in the woods which I have found to actually be one of my favorite parts. I've taken my rainfly off so I can wake up to sun shining on the leaves. It's so peaceful to sleep under the trees and stars. I honestly think I'll miss sleeping outside. The thing that's not so easy about camping is EVERYTHING ELSE. But it is good. I'm becoming flexible in all areas and that's something i've always desired to be. I have little access to showering and I've learned to do my sweaty laundry in a bucket. Praise God that it's worked because this Georgia heat is NO JOKE! The food menu here is designed not only to condition us to not always be in control of what we're eating in other countries, but also to feed us CHEAP. very small portions and lots of carbs. not ideal, and yet i find myself way more grateful when it comes to the food I eat. My squad prays over the food to nourish our bodies and we've learned to eat what we can, when we can. When they run out of a meal for our squad (which has happened more than you might think) my squad has met it with gratitude, smiles, and lots of dancing. Let's brag on my squad for a minute!

Q squad on top

I prayed for my squad from the moment I joined the race. The Lord has delivered in such a special way. It's an unspoken fact that our squad is the most fun here at training camp. I'm truly inspired by all these people that I get to do life with for the next 9 months. I have already gleaned so much from them and it's been so fun to hear their stories and get to know the deep parts of their hearts. It was kinda daunting at first, a squad full of 21 strangers to get to know, with whom i'm living in close quarters with. But we've clicked in such a sweet way. We laugh and encourage and debate theology. My squad is SOLD OUT for Christ. One thing that I prayed fervently for was a squad that dances. And OH MY GOSH DO WE DANCE. We line dance, we create dances, we freestyle, we burst into song. We are RAMBUNCTIOUS (our spontaneous percussion goes crazy). Dancing with my squad is probably when I feel the most at peace. Seeing the way the Lord answered my silly prayer so steadfastly.

Highlights

Some of the best parts of my week:

• The first night we had to find a water spicket in order to brush our teeth and fill our water bottles. Me and three strangers (at the time) came across the best spicket of all time. We now call it Big Shpick. It's always a party venturing to Big Shpick.

• We hiked up Mt. Yonah! It was so challenging and so rewarding. We saw the most beautiful sunset. I was in such awe of God. It was super fun being able to do hard things with my squad. Hauling our dinner up the mountain, having to make a fire, and cooking our hot dogs on sticks is my definition of a good time. I think the experience allowed me to learn so much about my squad. Despite having to stop in the woods to "go" twice on the way up, I had the time of my life. Hey.... It's way better than the porta potties we have here🤷‍♀️

• Lake day! We were able to take a trip to the lake and get some gas station goodies! Just some sweet fellowship away from camp.

• Anna's Bday! Our first birthday celebration as a squad! We established some traditions for these next nine months. A sweet celebration for a super sweet girl.

• And of course ALL THE DANCING!!! I can't even explain to you how happy it makes my heart.

Convos with My Bestfriend, Jesus

Jesus has been revealing a lot to me in this time:

• John 17. Specifically verse 24 which says "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.” I wanna spend time with Jesus where He's at and where He has me at! I wanna behold His glory.

• To cease striving.

• The Lord is humbling me. The Lord is showing me how weak I am. But get to depend fully on Him! I know He will continue to humble me and move me to compassion over these months.

• My "yes" is to Christ alone. Especially in this hard transition, I've been flooded with anxieties. And when I was sitting, questioning how in the world I ended up here... I was reminded that my "yes" is to Christ. I am not here because I fundraised money or signed a commitment to World Race. I am here because My Almighty Father has willed it to be. There is such comfort in the fact that He has placed me here intentionally. He has a good plan for me here... despite it being hard.

How you can pray!

• I am very very homesick. Which is something I don't love to admit. I've always been independent and never even thought this would be such an issue. Pray that the Lord delivers me from my anxieties and stress.

• For health!! My squad is getting sick... I was already sick at the beginning of training camp and seem to be getting a second wind.

• Easy transition going into domestic missions and Guatemala!

There's only two days left before our domestic mission and we fly to Guatemala on the 16th!!! Your prayers and encouraging texts are so appreciated. I miss you all at home dearly 🧡

with love and whimsy,

greta