First, I will apologize to the people in the photographs. I had a limited selection of pictures to choose from. But just to put it out there – I think you all have pretty darn amazing faces whether its captured in a good picture or not. Let’s face it – you’re hot! And (un)fortunately, this isn’t Facebook so you don’t get to untag yourself.
Secondly, you all have given me some of the best times I’ll never forget in these past few months. Thank you for everything you have taught and experienced with me. In the last few days I’ve been reflecting on the good, the bad, and everything in between. Here are some of my favorite moments that were spent just with you…
Amanda – Remember how the two of us were kinda dying to get into the hospital in Moldova – no pun intended. Finally we just went for it. We walked around trying to get into the locked and semi-guarded building. You were all into going farther and deeper each step we took. We were trying to be sneaky. Then I was the random one that stepped on the scale just for fun. Or how about that time when you chased the cows on our hike to Ukraine. Sorry you never caught them.
Andrea – There was that one time…and then another…when you play David. In 2 consecutive countries your acting skills came into use. Still think that it was nearly hilarious how you guys chose to pop out of the door in Dublin – enter David, stage left. And out you came! Goliath never stood a chance. Or, how about each time I seem to go running with you something entertaining always happens…nice.
April – Crazy how we’re connected to random people outside of the Race! I enjoyed staying with the JOHOLO girls in Colraine…the sanctuary. I’m so very glad you’re here and adore how much you love the people around you!
Bambi – I liked how we ended up hanging out and chatting a lot more in Moldova. I left that place thinking, “Um, pretty sure Bambi’s not the quiet one anymore.” Oh, and these shoes. You were non-stop entertainment those few days in Budapest.
Bethany – O man! Remember when we took the overnight train to Moldova? And then we had the border cross check in the middle of the night. And that’s when the bathroom on the train smelled like rotting…you know what…and you stuck my lotion practically up your nose to avoid the smell. Wow. And then I loved when in Hungary when you were reading and sharing The Heavenly Man to us all…you’re gonna kick butt this year!
Birkleigh – Um, pretty much ev’ryshing….but ‘member that one time we ended up praying on the shady balcony in Sofia? Just you and me.
Brian – I’ve really been awakened to see the love you have for our generation especially when its expressed through worship. Thanks for when you step out to prophesy over our men. Loved that time at the Awakening when you called out our guys…rise up, Church! Also, maybe, every time you mentioned purchasing tickets home…may have made me giggle…whether I should have laughed or not thanks for lightening the mood at times. And one last thing…thanks for letting me curse out loud when I needed to. You know the time I’m talking about.
Casey – Favorite moment? Maybe every time I see your out of control excitement for life. I hope you and Erin get to bike or run through or jump off of something soon…’cause you’re in a whole new library to do it in, ya know.
Daina – Again, thank you for letting me inspire the fohawk on your head. Though I had no idea how it would really turn out. Also, it’ll be hard to forget watching your baptism via internet and youtube…and how much I laughed.
Danielle – Two words: Gopher. Girl.
David – There was that time we had to wait. Which time you may ask? When we left Northern Ireland and all 4 teams were waiting on the bus so the driver could rest an extra half hour. But you jumped out and played frisbee with me in the parking lot instead. Thanks. You’ve got great skills, bro.
Dez – You know how beautiful Croatia was? I liked that short walk we took along the rocky coast in Pula. And maybe every time you hold a guitar and open your mouth to let heaven reign down. That’s pretty awesome too.
Dodge – Heather! Remember when we parted in Budapest after a great couple of days in Pecs? I was sad about missing your birthday and you hadn’t really really left yet so you heard me talking (good) about you…then you took your team to TGI Fridays and just told me about it. I’m OK with it…but I still missed you.
Drea – Dang girl. You love hard! I remember you making all sorts of connections and friends in Belgrade. And then we had that divine appointment for tea at Anne’s house. Thank you so much for taking me along! I’ll take you and Jesus with my tea and prayers any day.
Erin – Your Spirit at the AWAKENING was so alive! The “Holy Spirit” night was incredible. It was funny to me how I tried so hard to pray for you first but the room was so crowded I couldn’t get to you. Then at the end when they were pushing us all out of the room you came up to me. Basically you couldn’t stand still you were so excited, so alive, so in love with the Lord’s presence! Let’s pray together again soon!
Grant – Remember that one time I gave you a super-hero name: Quick Red McGee. And then when the night came for everyone to unveil their heroic costumes I couldn’t even look at you in the man thong and biker shorts. O my…oh my.
Higgins – Maybe I’ll remember all the times you were real with me. And when you provided me a safe place in Hungary. Thanks.
Hollis – I liked your birthday lunch in Moldova. Lots of great people together for a great celebration. Oh!…and you know what just went through my head? That tiny, high-pitched, little elf voice you use sometimes. Oh, my Hollis!
Jen – My favorite moment with you goes all the way back to training camp in April. Jake felt led to pray for you so he just pulled me along. He prayed and prayed and you cried and cried. I thought you kinda looked like a Barbie doll. More praying. More crying. Then you were called out to pray and prophesy over me. I have it written in my journal that it was “the most powerfully prophetic prayer” I had ever recieved. You weren’t a Barbie doll anymore. Now you were Xena the warrior princess.
Joe – You were the first one-on-one I had with a dude from our squad. Remember that afternoon? I went with your team to the indoor community pool where everyone had to wear a swim cap. Then there was that one old guy in a speedo who occasionally interrupted our conversation just by walking by. Hot.
Joel – Though the sight of you as the Clothespin Creeper may, unfortunately, never leave me…My favorite afternoon with you was when we went to the skate park in Osijek. I was really excited to hang out with all of you but really tired too. So you bought me an energy drink! Thanks! And then you entertained my dorky idea to chicken fighting at the skate park…which gave us something to do because we didn’t have anything to skate with.
Julia – There were a couple late nights in the kitchen in Northern Ireland when you really didn’t mind that I processed the day with you when everyone else was asleep. And I really felt special when I finally got a one-on-one coffee date with you in Belgrade. I love seeing you with your teams and how much you care about them. You’re a blessing!
Katie – Never, never will I forget that one night in Moldova. Forget how they feel about clapping and dancing! We were yelling out the prophetic and praying for that nation and our squad till we were breathless! Thank you for going there with me! Waiting for more moments like that!
Kristin – O my love. How faithful you are. You know that day we hiked three hours…to Ukraine. And then we were shown a rive to jump into. Man, that was fun. O wait…but then you were supposed to jump in with me. Holding hands and everything. Instead I jumped off the rock by myself. Alone. Without you. Thanks for that one, love.
Leize-Marie – You are one crazy chick. Seeing you play with the kids in Moldova with all that energy kinda exhausted me. Thanks for having fun with those kids, your team, and basically everyone you are around.
Lindsay – Maybe one of my favorite random moments in Ireland was with you. Can you guess it? That afternoon Higgs, you, and I went to the women’s tea party. Along with eating way to many desserts we ended up singing in that cow field. Singing praises and declaring God’s Kingdom over the nation. Then we prayed healing over one of the women there. Wow. That’s our life!
Liz – Just about everything. You know that the first week I was with you guys in Ireland I kinda didn’t even know we had a Liz on our squad. But I was so glad you sought me out for good conversation. And then we got to hang out for a day in Colraine…’member when we finally found each other on the beach and started running. Great embrace! Good times.
Madeline – Cleaning the dungeon with you and Roshanne in Dublin…wow, I love your facial expressions. By far that was the greatest way to start my Race with you girls. You’re hilarious.
Maldonado – Out of everyone on the K squad you’re the one I’ve known the longest. I remember each detail of the night I met you at your first training camp. I was on my way to the Atlanta airport for some other Racers when we found out that AIM forgot to pick you up as well. When I called you said, “I’ve got long hair and look like Pocahantus. You can’t miss me.” I didn’t. And you talked the WHOLE way back to Gainesville. It was great!
Martha – Oh, how I really really liked that pub dinner in Ireland with your old team. So glad I finally got all you guys at once. Fun night at dinner then waiting for the bus and riding it back. Maybe the most obnoxiously loud crew…but you know how to have a good time.
Matt – I thought it was really exciting how excited you got about being able to play ultimate…even in the rain of Ireland! That was a great day. But then there was that time you made me cry…because I was laughing so hard. Remember the night you tried to jump up that wall in Croatia…but you missed…and straddled it for a second instead. Ouch. I did a pretty good reenactment for it though, I thought, for the people that missed it the first time.
The Murphy’s – Possibly this month was the best ’cause we finally had time to hang out in person! Denise, I remember taking my first run in Colraine with you. We ran in the wet but we talked about family and Jesus and life on the Race. Speaking of running. Mike, running through Istanbul with you to “hunt down” the teams…not only was it fun and spontaneous, but we probably looked hilarious and ridiculous. I thought it was GREAT. Keep running the race you two!
Nicole – Remember when we took the metro back to Punch’s place in Budapest? You couldn’t move your “boobs” fast enough. Oh, oh! How about when you told me that you could speak in tongues for the first time! Oh girly, I love rejoicing over you!
Paul – Hey, crazy dude. You know how the internet can be so overrated sometimes. So without it we did gymnastics in the family room of our place in Ireland. Few months later it was good to be reminded of how much we enjoy the crazy things in life. So after our hike in Pecs we jumped on that big stack of hay bails. And I got stuck.
Ralph – First…I liked when I got to know you and know that you’re not really quiet. You don’t mind sharing your story and thought. It began in the kitchen at Adre’s house in Moldova when I got to hear Ralph’s story from high school til now. And did you know that when you were getting the tattoo done that I designed for you I almost cried. Yup, actual tears. Love you, bro!
Reed – Heather Reed! Your joy overflows! Though it was just a short time I remember talking with you the first week in Ireland at that camp. Your family had just experienced a loss but you were so in love with the Lord and how He had brought you around the world to serve Him. He’s your first love and I experience that with every hug I get from you.
Stacy – You are darling. You inspired me to find out more random facts from everyone on the squad. I liked sitting with you under the tent at the camp in Ireland learning your family was from Romania. And you spoke Romanian. Wow. You’re talented and beautiful!
Stacy Alonzo – Oh, Mrs. Alonzo! I’m so glad God paired us together for this amazing job. Remember at Launch training when we basically jogged to and from McDonald’s. And in that time we scarfed down our dinner AND shared our life stories with each other. This has been a unique journey for the three of us. Remember when we were walking through Pula. I had just mentioned how I am not a fan of cobblestone streets. You two are. Then you laid the smack down on that cobblestone street with your face. I didn’t laugh then, but when you think about it…the incident did have humorous timing. I have LOVED having you here for this!
Tamica – Hey friend. I really liked when we got to Turkey and had that walk back from the ferry. We decided we wanted to be real friends. And then there was that night later when we watched Now and Then. I think that’s when it happened. Great memories to follow as friends. Oh, the first might be me getting crapped on by that stupid lucky Turkish seagull. Hmmm, thanks for being here!
Tim – Timmy!! I’m so glad you’re here too. If it wasn’t for you I would have never experienced such a great ‘First Time Surfing’ day. That I owe all to you. Oh, but remember how there’s more waves in a bathtub then there were that day. Not only the most waveless beach in Ireland, but in all the beaches I’ve ever seen around the world. Which made it all the more hysterical and memorable: two Racers in wet-suits just bobbing in the ocean…for about an hour.
Tres – Dude, I just like talking with you. Like that one time in Moldova. Remember the night when we were sitting in the yard debriefing the day. It was late I guess and dark…being that it was night and all. Larissa came over to tell me good-night. Ha, and you scared her ’cause she couldn’t see you until you smiled. On another note…how about that time we got to walk Jack back to his class in Budapest. Getting excited about His Kingdom and Church! I’m ready for that again.
Weaver – We brought those Oreos to you special at the Awakening debrief. I didn’t think they would make you cry. In fact I didn’t know much about you. That’s why I think in Budapest when we recognized that fact of not knowing…we took it on boldly. We smiled. Then I kinda jumped on you where you were sitting in the family room of the Long’s house and we held hands for a moment. I hear you’re pretty great. Looking forward to more from you.
Williamson – Finally, we had our chance to do cookie dough church! And I was so pumped that you were the one I got to share it with. Thanks for going all in on that with me. You know what I also loved? That apple tea time at the cat infested restaurant in Istanbul. It was pretty sweet talking about boys with you. Good times. Good times.
Finally, I miss you so much! Enjoy your last days of ministry this month. Looking forward to a great family get together for Thanksgiving! I’ll be waiting for hugs!
All my love and prayers,
Caitlin
