So…I’ve never been very “artsy.” I took ballet and tap dance when I was younger. Obviously, I’m not graceful enough. I was in choir in middle school, but my mom was convinced that I lip-synced the whole time. (Which by the way, Mom, I wasn’t lip syncing, just singing really quietly.) I took a ceramics class in high school AND college. I’m not really sure why I took a class in college, I wasn’t that great in high school. I never actually made anything on the potter’s wheel, just handmade coil pots, a thanksgiving turkey, and a disturbing looking piggy bank. My mom has humored me by still using the pots as candle and pencil holders. My grandma gets the turkey out each Thanksgiving. (can’t wait to see my masterpiece again this year!;) I really didn’t listen to music and never collected CDs. I thought they were a waste of money. I never played an instrument (unless you consider the recorder and handchimes in fifth grade). Heck, I can barely clap on beat. I spent most of my time being active and playing sports. All this to say, that the other day, we were sitting around talking and I saw the computer sitting there. I grabbed it, played a few rounds of Spider Solitaire and after getting bored of that, I clicked on “Paint” to let my creative juices flow. I had drawn a picture of our team in Mexico and decided it needed updating. Here’s what I came up with:
I also decided this would be a perfect time to let you all know about the AMAZING people that I get to spend this 11 months with:
First of all, on the left, is Miss Candice. Candice is the baby of the World Race being only 21-years-old. Candice and I became buddies right from the beginning. We spent so much time together at the beginning of the race that when one of us was alone, people would ask where our other half was. After spending 9 months together, we have been told that we have begun to look, talk, laugh, and sound very similar. After less than 5 days apart for the last 9 ½ months, I don’t really know what we have left to talk about. I think most of the time we talk about nothing and make up fake stories or songs, but we have lots of fun doing it! Sometimes, well most of the time, we live in our own reality. Speaking of not being artsy, Candice is artsy to the T. Everything she does is artsy, the way she dresses, does her hair, writes in her journal, organizes her stuff, etc. I would consider her the World Race fashion and hair consultant. She has done her share of hair trimming, coloring, styling, teaching, and consulting. My hair has definitely benefited from her advice! She entered the race with a free clothing style all her own and it has rubbed off on many others. Many racers come to her asking what they should wear or for styling advice. Candice makes beautiful notes and letters and she loves to write them and I love that I get to the recipient of some of those notes. Candice is encouraging and almost always has a smile on her face. Candice loves relationships and it has been neat to see her work in those this year. I have loved watching her grow this year and especially enjoyed watching her heart break for the girls in Thailand. She is an amazing girl and I am so lucky to have spent this year with her.
Next to Candice is Annie. Annie is the newest member of Team Salt, hence the new team name, Team ASalt (Annie + Salt). It has been blessing and lots of fun to have Annie on our team this month (we’re hoping she can be with us next month too…wink wink Clinton, Jimmy, Chad). Annie is a woman of many talents including excellent whistling skills and the ability to flare her nostrils and wiggle her ears at the same time. Annie has been a good addition to our team as she is another stable, consistent, go-with-the-flo, and ready-to-do-anything- fun girl. Annie loves learning, seeing, and experiencing culture and its neat to be on her team because some of that wears off on us too. She is also an amazing photographer. Notice, most of the pictures on my blogs since she’s been on our team, are her pictures. I love talking to Annie and hearing her well-thought out, articulate opinions. She always willing to listen and give wise advice. She has been another blessing and source of encouragement on this trip!
Andrew, well, he’s Andrew. I’ve never met someone as unpredictable as him. I’ve lived with him for 9 months now and you would think I could predict what he’s going to do, say, or feel, but he seems to always surprise me. Through trial and error, we have gained a list of questions not to ask, statements not to say, and stupid arguments not to get into (i.e. how did you sleep last night?, what are you cooking?, good job!, is the shirt blue or green?, etc.) Andrew’s undpredictability brings a sense of adventure and entertainment. He is always (well, usually) ready to have a good time. He spends much time finding new attractions and activities. He has led us on trips to waterfalls, volcanos, and mountains. Andrew knows about EVERYTHING! He has so much random knowledge. He is also extremely handy, we can count on him to fix almost anything. He’s like an older brother really, he picks on you, roughs you up, but still looks out for you at the same time. I love when Andrew is excited or passionate about something. He is an “all-or-nothing” guy and there’s no stopping him when he’s all in. Andrew is a joy to be around and I feel lucky to be one of his teammates.
James, better known as Spano (his last name) is next in the picture, notice he’s the only one posing in the picture. We tease him because he always stands like he is modeling. We decided that he has broken many stereotypes about homeschoolers, worship leaders, and men, in general. We didn’t hear much from him the first few months, but in Peru and Mozambique we began to see more of who he is. We learned that despite his quiet exterior, he is hysterically witty, is an amazing musician (he can sing and play too many instruments for me to count, but he’s “not a jukebox”), and is extremely intelligent. He knows everything about anything and if by some chance, he doesn’t know, he can do a good job of making something up. It was in the bush in Mozambique that he earned the nickname “Papa” by Candice and I. This was the beginning of our three-way friendship. We are together a lot. He is always looking out for us. I have only had to have two “papa” talks in the whole 11 months – one for being late for curfew in Peru and the other for spitting my gum on the ground (due to this incident in Swazi, I haven’t thrown my gum on the ground since – guess I learned my lesson). Since living in close community with girls, Spano has endured millions of questions, random bouts of crying, chick flicks, shopping, and lots more. He is a southern gentleman although after hanging out with us he has now mastered the rapid fire high five, the friendship push, and the boredom flop. Spano has been in charge of our finances this year and has done a most excellent job. I’d like to think its because of his wonderful assistant (that’s me), but I don’t think that’s the case. He is really easy to trust and has helped to create a good atmosphere and stability on the team. I feel I have learned a lot this year and am thankful for his friendship.
Morgan has been our fearless leader this year. She has led us well. She has e
ndured awkward meetings and stubborn teammates. Morgan is always ready to have a good time, especially if there is a dance party involved. I’ve learned not to ask her questions or give details until after she’s been awake for at least an hour, She needs some extra time and a cup of coffee to be ready. I love AND hate to shop with Morgan. I love it because we always have fun and she encourages me to buy things. I hate it because I always spend too much money and end up with too much stuff. We began to claim the motto “Go big or go home!” as our own in Argentina and we’ve stuck to it ever since. Morgan makes me feel like I’m funny when I’m around Morgan because I can usually count on a laugh from her after I make a joke. We are both emotional saps. I love that I can get teary-eyed about something and look at her knowing she will be right there with me. Morgan is also empathetic. There have been many times when I have come to her with something about myself and it has brought her to tears. I love that I can go to her with millions of random thoughts and she can help me pull them together. Morgan is great with kids and wherever we go, people seem to remember her. She has a huge heart to see people ignited in their passions and giftings. It has been a blessing to be on her team as I have felt encouraged and challenged by her!
Last of all, is me. I’m not going to go on and toot my own horn, but I know that as I have learned stuff about my teammates, they have learned all sorts of things about me – the good, the bad, the odd, the fun, the hard, the weird, etc. but the best part is – they still love me (at least, I think)! At least I think. I feel so blessed to have journeyed on this path this year with them!
