If you've been following along or subscribe to my blogs, you will remember that I announced that we recently had team changes here on The World Race. My last blog, My Struggle With Change, was about this very thing. So I think it's about time I introduce you to them all! We are a team of 6, and we call ourselves Team Lighthouse Mosaic. We came up with this word combination after much thought and prayer.
We chose a lighthouse because of the many faucets it represents both physically and spiritually to us. Lighthouses were used in navel navigation to shine light into dark places, being a beacon of light as a warning against danger and guiding to safe harbor. They are firmly planted on solid rock (as opposed to the sandy ground of the beach that easily sinks when the waves come). The lighthouse represents the shining light of Christ. We, as God's people, are to be that beacon of the Light of God shining in a dark place, firmly planted on the solid ground of the Truth of Christ's Love.
A mosaic is a picture made up of many different smaller pieces, usually either of very different pictures that seemingly have nothing to do with the big masterpiece being created, or pieces of colorful tile or glass. Up close, it just looks like broken, jagged, sharp pieces of glass that might not be polished and are quite rough around the edges. But when you get a broad look at the whole work of art, you see how all the rough, broken pieces fit just perfectly together to create a beautiful flowing image. The mosaic represents the many different, colorful, broken lives that make up the kingdom of God.
So, without further adieu, here are my team members!
(Carl "Carlsbad" Bedford, Gabe and Karen "the Saint" Bedford. Picture circa 2006 when Gabe actually had hair on his head.)
Meet Gabe Bedford, our team leader. He has been on the same team with me since month 1 in Costa Rica, so I've really gotten to know him well. But for those of you who don't know him well, here is what you need to know: he is 25 years old, from Columbia, Missouri, the son of Carl "Carlsbad" Bedford and Karen Bedford, and Karen Bedford is a saint. He has grown a lot spiritually since month 1 of the Race, and I am so proud to have him as my team leader. He may see me as a Rafiki, but I see him as a (giant) Yoda when he it comes to wisdom and discernment. To learn more about Gabe, visit his blog: http://gabebedford.theworldrace.org/.
(Sara and her mom)
Meet Sara Shoup. She, too, has been on a team with me since month 1 in Costa Rica. Sara is 22 years old and is from Smithville, Ohio. She pours so much of her heart and time in to others on the team and the squad, and I love hearing her laugh! Speaking of the squad… Sara is currently serving our entire squad by helping figure out the logistics and travel plans when we move from country to country. It's definitely no easy task, but she is great at it! To learn more about Sara, visit her blog: http://sarashoup.theworldrace.org/.
(Danae and her sister, Kaja)
Meet Danae Englund, our team treasurer! She is 23 years old and is from Fall City, Washington. Danae has a strange obsession with the Jurassic Park movies and absolutely loves dinosaurs… but not as much as she loves her family and her little sister, Kaja. She is constantly smiling and is so joyful all the time. She's like a ball of sunshine! During month 2 of the race, she broke her foot and had to wear a cast for 8 or 9 weeks. CRAZY! But God has been showing her a lot through that minor set back, and I cannot wait to see her grow over the next few months! To learn more about Danae, visit her blog: http://danaeenglund.theworldrace.org/.
Meet Malerie Parenteau! She is 24 years old and is from Virginia Beach, Virginia. Malerie absolutely loves to read books. During our month here in Malaysia, she has managed to read the entire Chronicles of Narnia series and is now plowing through the Harry Potter books. Malerie can always be counted on to give you some encouragement or spend some quality time with you. Whilst on the Race, she has gotten 2 tattoos, one in Costa Rica and one in Thailand. (Don't worry folks, she didn't just wake up one day and say "I'm going to et a random tattoo today!") Both have spiritual meanings to her and are a part of her life story. To learn more about Malerie, visit her blog: http://malerieparenteau.theworldrace.org/.
Meet Daniel Auzenne. He is a 23 year old from Gary, Indiana. (Fun fact, Gary, Indiana is where Michael Jackson is from!) At first I thought Daniel was bit quirky because he is literally willing to try any food (i.e. insects or other nauseating foods). And he calls it fun! I call it gross. Anyway, Daniel is a deep thinker and loves to have deep, philosophical conversations. He is great at listening to what God has to say to him, and I look forward to seeing him grow in his walk with The Lord during this next season of the Race. To learn more about Daniel, visit his blog: http://danielauzenne.theworldrace.org/.
So there you have it! That is my new team for the next season of the World Race! Below is a picture of us all together in Malaysia.
Malerie, Gabe, Sara, Aimee, Danae and Daniel
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