Thank you for all of your support and love that helped get me to Training Camp It was one of the most incredible, crazy and humbling weeks I have ever had.
Training Camp- When you ( maybe even a future World Racer) find yourself reading blog after blog about training camp you might get the idea that training camp is all about squad wars, living outside, and lots of fun and games.
You may just come to find out that the WR has little to do with squad wars..they happen, you do live outside..among other places.. some you love, and some you just have to laugh at to keep from crying.. you do have fun, and there are games, but it is so much more than just the fun, the games and the squad wars. (*sidenote though My squad M SQUAD did win squad wars 'cause that's just how we do! All WE Do Is Win!)
Here is a big tip- Let go of any expectations you have.
Prior to going to TC I had many expectations. Many expectations of what TC and the WR would and should look like. I read blog after blog and noticed one thing.. Training camp seemed to be clouded in mystery. What was this big secret about training camp that made it the best and yet hardest week of peoples lives? I soon would find out for myself just what these people meant, and I would soon let go of all my preconceived ideas of people and all of my expectations for this upcoming year.
This is not the part I tell you all the secrets of what made TC so great and yet so hard..I'm sorry, but to all you future world racer's you will thank me later. To those of you wanting feedback- no worries I have many stories to tell ya.
What I will start with today is a simple encounter, a simple moment where I almost died, and I don't mean in some spiritual sense. I mean in the literal "I almost died" lol.
Before you get the wrong idea of adventures in missions let me just say the people here care more about you than they do themselves. Everyone on staff, squad leaders, your squad, your team..all the way down to the individual.. I experienced such love and compassion from these people and for these people. This past week at training camp I had the privilege to walk and talk with Jesus. To camp outside around a fire with Jesus. I got to see Jesus in the eyes of these beautiful people that surrounded me.
I almost died because of my pride. One day the guys and girls separated for the day and us guys went on a hike. For the sake of not spoiling the lesson learned that some of you may experience yourselves I will say this.. Us guys were asked to strip down to our boxers and take a swim. During this swim I almost drown twice! It was my pride that kept me from calling out for help when help would have been there in a split second if I would just cry out, but I didn't..
I tried to do things on my own. I tried to carry burdens that were too heavy for me to carry, I tried to be a man all macho and what not..
We (the guys) had a goal to this swim, they (the staff) had a lesson to teach us. Much like Jesus with His parables, the staff spoke to our hearts, to the core of us as men. You can call it a "team building" exercise if you will.
Here is what I learned from this lesson and from my week: I am prideful, I am selfish, I am messy, and I am a broken individual.
Here is something I left training camp with: Even in my brokenness, beauty erupted from my soul. I am learning to live simple, embrace the messy, and love unconditionally and without reserve.
Tune into part II to meet my team that I will be sharing life with for the upcoming year. Be a part of our adventures! Subscribe to our blogs, adopt our team and you wont miss a beat.
Living and Loving This Great Adventure~ Devin
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