Training Camp
The week that pupusas, bug bites, a tent, and the Holy Spirit changed the trajectory of my life forever. Actually first, the decision to say yes to spending 11 months overseas out of a backpack is what sparked this change. But it all seemed like a fever dream until this past week. &&& oh yeah— I AM FULLY FUNDED AFTER THIS WEEK!!
Going into training camp I had no idea what was to come… bug bites, tent camping, hiking, and a whole of Jesus? Sure. But a week that would change the trajectory of my life forever is not exactly what I had in mind when I woke up at 3am to head to the airport. Training camp became, for the first time, a reality that I realized is going to change my life for the better. Not only do I get to travel across the world and experience new cultures with an awesome squad of believers, but I get to do this to share the sweet name of Jesus! What better way to start this next season of life.
9 things I am taking away from training camp:
- God honors our “yes” and is sovereign always. (Psalm 92:5)
- Abundant blessings and true heart change are in store for this upcoming season. (Jeremiah 29:11)
- It’s time to stop making our life about the gift, and start making it about the giver. (1 Corinthians 12)
- I don’t know how God will make your hurt right, but I do know that God restores all things. (Psalm 103:6)
- Life is ministry, ministry is life. Let’s put our hands to the plow and not look back! (Matthew 10 & Luke 9)
- I have always felt defined by the name “leader”, I was reminded this week that I am not just seen as a leader by God, but as an influential woman of God who bears fruit that people are drawn to. (Ephesians 1 & Galatians 5:1 & Romans 8:31-39)
- God doesn’t want our strength… he wants our obedience. (John 10:7-27)
- Freedom is a lifestyle and where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (Galatians 5:13a & 2 Corinthians 3:17)
- God is about to wreck every part of my life. And I hope he does.
Not only did I take away these nine points, but I left full with the promise that God is going to use my story to make his name known. It’s time for me to start making my story about my creator rather than for my own glory. With that said— at the end of training camp I had the opportunity to be baptized by my amazing coaches Karen and Keith. I was baptized at a young age and knew that I wanted to follow Jesus. However, I did not fully understand the weight of what it meant to follow Jesus in complete abandonment of my fleshly desires. The past few years have been years of great pruning and refinement for this calling. So with a YES, I was baptized in front of my new family to symbolize my unity with the father, son, and Holy Spirit. Thank you Jesus for making the church your bride and loving me so intentionally that I may know your goodness.
To each of you reading this today—thank you. Thank you for your “yes” and supporting me in every way. Your prayers, thoughts, advice, love, and support are deeply heard and felt by me and our maker. I AM FULLY FUNDED AND FULL BECAUSE OF YOU ALL! Thank you for getting me here and supporting my wild dreams to share the name of Jesus across the nations. Here’s to the next year of pilgrimage and expanding the kingdom. Let’s make heaven crowded together!
I would love to pray for you and hear your story— let’s connect!
Email— [email protected]
Instagram— katherinegator
This is wonderful KJ!! I loved reading your takeaways! You are such a light and I cannot wait to see what else God has in store for your journey! So proud of you!
So amazing already! Can’t wait to hear more and more! I love that you brought up we all have a story and it’s to His glory, not our own. And Happy Baptism!
This is SO GOOD!!!!!! I’ll be writing all of these down. Love you, girl!
Uncle Paul and I will be praying for you!
I know it’s going to be so rewarding, and you will be such a blessing, to those you meet and share, the love of Jesus with.
I’m so proud that you were baptized with a much better understanding of what baptism is, that it’s not the water that saves us, it’s the blood of Jesus!!!
I love you! ??
Sweet, KJ!! Your heart is so encouraging & pure and spills out to all you encounter. I cannot wait to follow your journey. Know that you will be covered in prayer as you go. I am so proud of you! Keep pressing in, sister! Big love!
Such powerful truths from such a beautiful heart. (Learning #3 & #7 has changed everything for me.)
What an honor to be at your side through Training Camp. Can’t wait to dive deeper and deeper into trust over the next year!
Katherine—this blog made me happy in so many ways! I so love you and your beautiful heart. And that photo just makes me smile. I’m so excited to be on this journey with you, and to see how we’ll experience the Lord and His love—above and beyond all we could ask or imagine!