2012 started with a big bang for B SQUAD! We all came together in Leon, Nicaragua to get some much needed rest before traveling to southeast Asia. We got to camp on the beach, swim in the ocean, fellowship with each other, celebrate the New Year and just be in God's creation worshiping Him.
Kayla and I had the opportunity to talk about our faith with a Jehovah's witness….. We were walking by, Bibles in hand headed to do some Quiet Time on the beach when this man asked if our Bibles were in English. He'd always wanted a Bible in English, Kayla had an extra one so we gave it to him and sat down and talked for HOURS! It was a growing experience for both of us. We didn't debate or argue with him like the average Christian would do with a JW…. we listened, discussed and loved him even though we disagreed with the most important parts of our faith. He took notice of that and thanked us for our kindness and for discussing the Bible with him. I know I really enjoyed that. AND Wade got to be a hero when he saved our Squad leader, Mike, from drowning in the ocean!
THAT'S NOT EVEN THE BIG STUFF THAT HAPPENED IN THOSE 3-4 DAYS!!!
We had team changes!!! It's sad to say that Beautiful Feet is no longer a team anymore! Kayla, Ryan Banko and Thomas Wensil became our Squad Leaders!!!! CONGRATS Y'ALL I'M SO PROUD OF Y'ALL!!! Wade became a TEAM LEADER!!!!!!!!! I'm so PROUD OF YOU, WADE!!! Liz and Jake got to stay on the same team and Jaime, Wade and I are alone. We were very upset about this change but we all have come to the place where we know that God is in control and we trust Him completely. GIVING UP EXPECTATIONS ONCE AGAIN!!!!!
I just want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to my BEAUTIFUL FEET FAMILY!!! Just becasue we aren't living together right now doesn't make us not family anymore!
Kayla Spencer – I'm so proud of you!!! You were an AMAZING leader and you're going to be an even BETTER Squad Leader! You have always been someone I could trust, and a loyal friend. My favorite thing about you is that you invest in people, whether it be on the Squad, Team or on the Field…. PEOPLE MATTER TO YOU!!! Thank you so much for everything you've done for me and our team and for what you'll do for the whole B SQUAD.
I LOVE YOU!!
Liz Hipp – My HomeGirl!!! I'm so excited for the journey God has for you! He's already done so much in your life! You've grown more than anyone else, even though you can't see it sometimes. I'm so proud of you for stepping into the person God has created you to be. I'm not going to lie it's going to be really hard to not having you around EVERYDAY!!! You're ALWAYS straightforward, blunt and honest with me…. just ONE of my favorite things about you. You ALWAYS know when I need to laugh, cry, hug, sleep….ect ect I LOVE YOU!!
Jaime Floyd – My Big Sister! Girl, how am I going to survive without hearing, "She likes you" and (in a Madea voice) "How you doing?" You make me laugh like it's coming from my toes!!! You ALWAYS have my back! We cry together, we laugh together, we fight and we make up…. God speaks through you like CRAZY Girl! You hear God's voice clearer than anyone else I know! I can ALWAYS come to you with any questions about God and if you don't know the answer you find it! You've helped me grow so much in Christ. I LOVE YOU!!!
My boys…….
Jake Schmitt – Jakey Poo aka Pretty Boy aka my little big brother, I'M GOING TO MISS YOU SO MUCH!! We didn't get along so great in the beginning but as soon as we got our crap out on the table, we were able to understand how each other ticked. You're such a man of God, and you've taught me so much! You're so knowledgeable about the Bible, I can come to you with a simple "do you know where it is in the Bible where is says…." and you'll tell me right there! I love that about you!!! You make me laugh like I'm insane! LOL You protect me and the other girls with your life! You're like crouching tiger hidden dragon! What am I going to do without Jake Hugs?!?!
I LOVE YOU!!
Last but not least
Wade Carlton – My best friend and partner in crime. I'M SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!! I ALWAYS told you that you'd make a GREAT team leader! I respect you so much! You're a man after God's own heart. I love seeing you interact with the kids in every ministry. You put everything you have into the ministry at hand no matter what the ministry looks like. You're so REAL with me….no beating around the bush, you give it to me straight but with gentleness. You inspire me to be BETTER at everything! What am I going to do without you everyday?!
I LOVE YOU!!!
Meet my new team in Part 2!
