These past 2 weeks at training camp have been so tough but so rewarding.
I came into this experience thinking I’ve got this, I won’t be homesick and miss all the worldly things, I’ll learn new things but it wont be challenging, and I was wrong. My first full day here i missed my family more than I ever thought I would. The love I have for my family is endless and I knew I would miss them, but realizing i have spent my whole life together with them for the past 20 years and now I’m leaving everyone for 9 months without seeing them hurts my heart. Being around my friends and family has always been a comfort for me and I am learning that you might not always have your comfort with you 24/7.
Missing Worldly comforts is another new thing for me. I have been so used to having everything I need right next to me, just a 10 minute drive into town and everything I needed was right there. Learning that that is not the case anymore and I don’t have that luxury anymore is definitely an adjustment, but it is the most humbling thing, and for that I am so blessed and thankful.
Days are long and full here, I am learning so much but I am also being challenged the most I have ever been. Realizing there is so much I don’t know and so much more that goes into this kind of mission work was something that has taken me back a bit. Days that start at 6am and end at 11pm filled with new information for me to process takes some getting used to, but I am growing so much in my walk with the Lord and learning so much about being disciplined in my Faith.
Regardless of all the struggle and change, I have never felt closer to God. Spending everyday in His word, worshipping Him, being surrounded by a like minded community of people and learning so much more about myself and my relationship with God. Being away from family and friends has made me appreciate them so much more. Being away from worldly comforts and sleeping in a tent has humbled me and is teaching me to be more grateful, because things could always be worse, so enjoy the little things and be grateful for what you do have. Long days filled with sessions back to back and activities all day, although can be challenging and tiring, is helping me grow so much in my faith and understand God on a deeper level. God is so good and these 2 weeks have been the best weeks. I am making so many lifelong friendships here and learning that these beautiful people are now my comfort for The next 9 months, they are the ones God gave me to lean on when things aren’t comfortable.
So excited to see what this year brings.
Love and miss you so much Cal! Reading this made me so happy. You are already growing so much and you barely left! Excited for you to come home but I can’t wait to read about what you’ve been up to and will learn!
Hey Caleigh!
I wrote a comment prior to this and I cannot find it, so I will start again lol.
I love how you’re learning about God in such a deeper way. It reminds me of feeling like being in a desert after having all of the conveniences at your right hand. Like maybe God is saying I am enough. Showing you perhaps what someone you haven’t met yet have always had to live without the luxuries and experiences that hopeless feeling. Then when they meet Christ as their Savior He too is enough and gives them love, hope, His Living Water when they were so empty and lost before. I don’t know but these are thoughts I have as I was reading your blog. One thing that came to mind when you talked about how you left family friends and the convenience of home is why I lost my comment to you bc I needed to copy and paste some verses that the LORD showed me some 3-4 years after He gave me my life verse(Isaiah 43:13 NIV) It was above it. Here it is: Isaiah 43:10-12
10. “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord,
“and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me
and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
nor will there be one after me.
11 I, even I, am the Lord,
and apart from me there is no savior.
12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—
I, and not some foreign god among you.
You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God.
I love those verses and He shows us all what our jobs are as believers..we are His witnesses to tell others about Him. That’s what you are doing Cal. You’re doing it in a way that takes you to unknown lands without the comfort / conveniences of family and home town friends…yet your faith and courage and focus on Him will carry you through so you can be a witness for Christ. I am so proud of you. I love you so much and am praying for you to always feel His Peace that passes all understanding and to keep you safe. Sorry this is so long, but I just wanted to share that with you??????????????
I’m so proud of you Caleigh!!! If I know anyone to do the things your doing, it’s you. You were made to do Gods work. I am so excited for you and I miss you! Sending you a hug over the phone :’) love you
Take care sweet girl. I love you
i love and miss you both so much !! im so thankful for all of your support
i love and miss you sweet aunt Ann!!
My bestie!! I appreciate you so much and all of your support. I love and miss you!
Scarlet!! I am so thankful for a friend like you and all of your kind words.I love and miss you!
I appreciate all the love and words you give me aunt TT. I am so thankful that i have this much encouragement from you, it definitely helps when things get tough. I love and miss you!
Hi my Caleigh girl !!
Love hearing your adventures.
In reading your updates, I’ve found what I’ve always known in this. God has given you this calling into the mission service. Where He calls, He prepares and He leads, & enables us to complete His/this mission.
I love how your learning and growing in the Lord ! Makes me so happy for you . And you’ve only just begun !!
Love you sweetheart!!
Memaw & Papaw