First off, I want to say I am totally EXHAUSTED. So exhausted that my arms hurt holding them to type and are shaking. My legs feel like they are about to rip apart and I think I even walk with a little waddle because of it. The S.P.E.C.I.A.L. definitely broke me down, physically (through my soreness), mentally (learning to keep focused), and spiritually (learning to apply the principles and just talking to God during the events). This is the theme song for me during the S.P.E.CI.A.L.
So I was looking at what I shared about last time and realized I didn't explain what the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. is. The S.P.E.C.I.A.L. is a 19 hour competition including teams sports like basketball, sprints and relays, and additional ab and leg workouts. I don't want to spoil everything so I wont talk much about everything that we did, but I will share with you how I applied the principles and what I learned.
So yesterday wasn't extremely hard, but I did struggle with swimming. I never knew how hard that sport was. It looks hard, but geeez!! I really relied on the Lord to get me through it. I made analogies telling myself I was chasing after the Lord, and that he was just on the other side; or used the thank you responses praising him for the things I have been given. The night ended about 1am and depending on you place in the competition, you had anywhere between 4-5 hours to sleep. If you know me, I am not an night owl and my bedtime is 9:30!!! haha so I came back and crashed.
I woke up at 4:54 and got ready in 7 minutes. Rushed out the door to go meet my team and head over to what was to come for the new day. I was feeling great, until we had to army crawl through the cold, wet grass at 5:30 in the morning!!! I really struggled and had to use the same strategies from swimming to get me through. I eventually became numb and finished. We had 13 parts to the obstacle course which were a various of things increasing my leg fatigue and soreness.
Something I realized later was that during the S.P.E.C.I.A.L., the Lord was giving me an opportunity to lead. I mentioned a few days ago that I learned about other talents that just basketball. One of the talents is leading through example and encouragement. The Lord really worked through me to lift up my teammates and help them through when things were rough. But the great thing is we made it!
After we had another type of relay. I was completely DEAD by this point. I had nothing left, I was dehydrated with headaches and just out of it. It was hard, but once again I got through it with the Lord pulling me along. The major theme I dealt with surrendering. Here I totally surrendered and prayed asking for his help. I could not go on. There were times where I was just dazed looking at the sky totally unaware of what was going on. Like I said OUT OF IT! hahaha But I always got back in line for the next race. Each time, I would fall to the ground thinking I don't know if I could finish and if I would just fall and pass out. But the Lord is Good and he pulled me along, giving me my second wind towards the end to help my team.
Finally, we bussed to a hill to run down and up with a ply board on our back like Jesus carrying the cross to his crucifixion. Throughout the entire S.P.E.C.I.A.L. we listened to Jesus' struggle and steps toward being crucified. We too were going through the same events (in a minuscule way): being at point of exhaustion, in pain, sorrow, and more. This camp has been an encouraging experience and I have grown and learned more about my walk with the Lord. My weaknesses and strengths in which way I can Glorify him. We have one more day, however not sure what there is left after all this, however I will write tomorrow to fill you in. Thanks for reading and caring.
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