Welcome back to my blog everyone!
Many of you asked me what training camp looked like. To answer quite literally:
Now what in the world have we been up to here in Georgia? Well let me tell you! A typical day starts with a devotional time: often prayer and journaling for me. Then I hand in my phone for the day (so if I don’t respond to your message all day that’s why!). After breakfast there is a worship time and a teaching session. A session could focus on a Bible passage or other spiritual topic. Sometimes a session acts as a training in how to talk with others about faith (which, as it turns out, can be very hard). Sessions could also be a lesson about other cultures. Meals are different from what we are used to. One lunch was cucumber slices, two halves of a tortilla, and a small cup of honey. It is teaching me to be grateful for what I have! In the afternoons we may spend time debriefing with our squad, hearing from mentors, or doing team building activities. We get our phones back at the end of the day and often have free time in the evening. I’ve been playing a lot of ping pong during my free time. I’m pretty bad if I’m being honest, but don’t worry I’m getting better. By the end of my time here in Georgia, I will be a ping pong master, mark my words.
As I mentioned in my last blog, one reason I decided to go on the race was to get to know other cultures. I wasn’t expecting for this part of the experience to start until after I left the country. However during this time at training camp I’ve gotten to see a variety of ways of teaching, thinking, and worship that are different from what I was exposed to at home. But I asked God before coming here to help me know him better. So I shouldn’t have been surprised when he put me in a position where I had to examine my old expectations and ways of thinking. It has begun to force me to dig into Scripture myself, drawing my own conclusions and making my faith my own. So…here’s some news. Even though I have identified myself as a Christian for many years, I had never been baptized. But last week I made the decision to get baptized as a symbol of fully dedicating my life to Christ! Hooray! There is actually a really crazy story about how it happened, but I think I’ll need to write a whole other post about that, so stay tuned!
Those of you who have been praying for me, thank you! I need it!
I know this post was a long one, so if you made it this far, thanks for reading! I love you all so much!
-Sophie
Awee sophie! i’m so so so happy for you and excited for what God is doing in youre life. I miss you so much and love you 🥰
Missing you here in Georgia! But I can’t wait to hear all about how God is working in the DR!
I LOVD U SM 💖💘💕💕💕💞💝💝🩷🩷
💗💗💗🙌
Praise God!! Can’t wait to hear the story about your baptism! Sounds like it’s been challenging, but so worth it 😊 praying for you!
Yes I’m so excited to share that story! Thank you so much for your prayer 💗💗
Great update with fun pictures. I’m so excited for you.
Thanks!!
Hi Sophie…I’m so glad I came across your blog. I’ll be praying for you and will look forward to your updates. Can’t wait to see what God has in store for you in the coming year!
Yes! I’m so excited to share what God does this year! Thank you so much for your prayer, it’s so powerful!!
YAY!! Congratulations Sophie! Thank you for sharing this journey with us! Continuing to pray for you!
Thank you!! I appreciate the prayer and I can’t wait to write about all the things God does this year 🙂
Sopie…..enjoyed the blog and update. So excited for you. Will be praying for you!
Thanks Fred! I really appreciate it!
Love this!! Our God is an awesome God! Keep writing these blogs!! This was not “too” long at all! Just remember there’s a lot of middle aged people living vicariously through you. 🤣 No such thing as too long or too much detail. You bring us joy. Can’t wait to read your baptism blog when it’s up.
Thank you for that encouragement! It’s been fun to share some of what God has been doing already and I can’t wait to keep doing that! The baptism blog is in the works 🙂
Oh Sophie my heart is so full for you! Your picture post baptism was amazing and I love your smile! So happy for you and proud!
Thank you! It was such a special night!
Sophie
Thank you for sharing your experiences on your blog. It was so exciting to see that you chose to be baptized. What a blessing.
Indeed such a blessing!