Each month we have about 2-3 days that we call debrief where
we do just that, debrief the month. We all knew it was happening it was just a
matter of when… team changes. I found out that I would be taken from my beloved
Sweet Aroma team and placed on a new team. Dang. I didn’t know what to do with
the news. All I wanted to do was crawl in bed and talk to my best friend Jesus.
What did He have to say about all of this? Part of me was sad, hurt, excited
for change, confused etc. But I couldn’t run. I had to be strong for one last
night as a Sweet Aromian. Sweet Aroma was so sweet to me. We did what we do
best and found ice cream. We sat around sharing stories about the past 6 months
laughing and crying together.
The next morning it really hit. We were to spend time with
our new team. To be honest I didn’t really want to. I didn’t want to talk to anyone
but Jesus… I sat on my bed in the morning and just wept with Him. I don’t care
who you are six months of eating, sleeping, talking, processing etc. with
people bonds you. If you could pick a team that each member was all in it is
Sweet Aroma. From the beginning we chose the hard road. We chose to get dirty
and dive into each other’s past messes and the filth we still walked in. For 6
months we laughed, we loved, and we sure as heck fought for each other. We
weren’t just teammates we became friends. Friends who wanted to hang out with
each other. Then we shifted into family. Complete with Papa Noah(team leader)
and Mama Tess(squad leader). Mmm thinking about them makes me miss them a whole
lot…
This is for you Sweet Aroma!
Noah– You are so
funny. I miss your constant tweet worthy comments. I miss your laugh and your
super strong hugs. You always know what to say. You are such a safe place for
people. You embody the strength of the Lord as well as His tenderness. You are
an amazing leader and friend. Thanks for being there to listen when I just
needed to talk. Thanks for taking me on motorcycle adventures and canoe rides.
You have always supported me no matter what. Thank you for being such an
amazing friend and brother in Christ.
Tess– I am
tearing up just thinking about you… man we have been through a lot together.
Thank you for your patience and sweet love for me. I miss pranking with you. I
miss long car rides joking and laughing in the back seat together making up
rhymes about ants and biscuits. You know how to make even a stick laugh. You
taught me how to unwind a bit and let petty things roll off my back. Your heart
is incredible. I don’t know how a heart as big as yours fits into your little
body. You truly have an incredible gift in leadership and it has been such a
joy to learn and grow from you.
Christin– dang
sister. Satan did not want us together did he? You are a fighter. You are a
prayer warrior who taught me how to pray powerful effective prayers. I now bind
and cast things to roots and cover Jesus’ blood all over the place 🙂. Thank you. Thanks for
being my friend even when it was tough. Thanks for eating chocolate and every
kind of mcflurry/blizzard/ice cream we could find together. I miss our roof
talks on deserted islands looking at beautiful stars. I miss playing cards till
wee hours of the morning with Bud and sneaking into windows. Mmm thanks. You
know how to make people smile and laugh even harder. Thanks for constantly
speaking my identity over me and casting out lies and fears that crept in. You have
been a crucial part of my race and a huge reason I walk more in who I am in Christ
today than ever before. Love you bffl!
Emily– you were
one of the most encouraging people for me on our team. As the leader for the
first few months you always had my back and supported me so well. You love
people well and taught me how to do the same. You connected with contacts in ways
we couldn’t. You poured and poured and poured some more of your time, energy
and resources. I remember one day in the Philippines when I was having a really
tough day. You thought of me while yall were out and brought me back chocolate.
You had given me chocolate or other things before but that day… man it meant
sooo much. It just felt like a gift from the Lord. That is what you are. A gift
from the Lord. I think everyone who knows you would agree with me.
Carly– Car car!
You amaze me. From training camp to now… wow. Look out world this lady is on
FIRE! You are. You are walking in your identity like never before. The old is
flying off of you as the new breaks forth. It has been such a blessing to walk
alongside you. I have learned so much. One huge thing I have taken away from
you is the ability to fight and love people at a healthy distance. I used to
get wrapped up in carrying everyones burdens and struggles that I could hardly
function. You showed me how to still love people but not try to fix them and
fight their battles for them. Thank you for that. You bring so much joy!
Looking back on videos I laughed just hearing you laugh. I miss that laugh. Thanks
for pouring into me and fighting for our friendship.
Jason– Oh Jason.
You are my buddy. I have a special place in my heart for you. You have a heart
of gold. You care, love, give and pray for people so well. You are one of the
most intentional people I know. Thanks for being the one to go on ATL’s(Ask the
Lord) with me whether it was to give away my food or run around the park. God
used us together in mighty ways in those times. I knew I could always count on
you to go where the spirit was leading. You really see people. Whether it is an
elderly grandma on the corner or little ones, you love and make them feel
special. You also are hilarious. Just thinking about you makes me laugh. The
pen trick at the mall… haha oh man. And then your videos… could make me laugh
for hours. Thanks for bringing so much joy and life to my race. You were my
number one fan from the start and I have always felt loved and supported by
you. You truly are an incredible brother who takes care of his sisters so well…
even when they fake fall on the roads or go missing in the market 🙂. Seriously, thanks.
Jacob– secretly
before even training camp on gchat I wanted to be best friends with you. I
think everyone does. You are crazy and we love it. From wiping your nasty sweat
on me to giving me a hard time about my own sweat to pushing/shoving/pestering/tickling
etc loved me well. I remember in Nicaragua after finding out we would be on the
same team you, Christin and I went out for cake. You asked so many awesome
questions to get to know us and we laughed so hard talking about pet peeves
etc. Thanks for passionately pursing people. I absolutely looooved
seeing/watching/ being a part of you ministering to Muslims. The Lord has
definitely gifted you with a way to connect to them like I haven’t ever seen.
He has also given you so much knowledge of the word and theology/apologetics.
Haha thanks for answering all of my random questions and teaching me soooo
much! When you speak people listen because you speak with your heart. You have
a way of making people feel important and deeply loved. Thanks for the notes of
encouragement pushing me to more, real authentic convos fueling growth and the
constant belly laughs. Love you bro!
Sweet saweeeet Aroma. What a journey it has been! You all will always have a special special place in my heart! Sorry it
took me so long to make this video…6 months of footage is quite a lot to muster
through 🙂.
But here is to an incredible 6 months with yall! I love you all sooo much!
For all those times you stood by me for all the truth that
you made me see…
Special thanks to Celine for showing up in every country and
giving me the words to express how I feel… 🙂
