As I was mentally preparing myself for a new continent I knew there was a slight chance our squad would experience some team changes. A part of me thought that my team would slide under the radar and would not be touched. Guess what? I was wrong…..very wrong actually. When we all met up for a mini debrief we were informed that there would be some modifications to teams because two team leaders were raised up as squad leaders. When my former team leader was announcing his new team I noticed that many of the names did not change, and yet I did not hear mine. My heart sank. I thought that if we were to have team changes they would all dramatically change or stay the same. When I finally heard my name I found myself on a team of people I knew the least about on the entire squad. I wanted to hold back my tears but was only successful for about 5 min. We were all required to be alone in silence for two hours to eliminate saying things we would regret and have a chance to fully digest what had just happened. I crawled in my sleeping bag full of anger and dismay thinking I had just lost the glory days of the Race. All I kept thinking about was how I would no longer be with my best friend on the squad every day. The girl who truly understands me and I can have a blast with in every situation.
Former Team LOVEBOUND
After an hour of cooling down, I decided I needed to put my big girl panties on and make the best out of being on a new team. I made a conscious effort not to sulk and be genuinely open about being with a new team. When e-mailing my mom that night, she told me that one could never have too many best buds and she was right. As the New Year approached, I thought what better time for change. I did not make a New Year’s resolution; rather, I chose to be receptive and willing. This turned out to be one of the best decisions I have made on the Race thus far. I love my new team!!! This past month we have had to be extremely intentional about perusing each other and it has paid off.
In the Philippines, we were living at an orphanage with four other teams. With that many people it is easy to be drowned out or become content with the people immediately surrounding you. So the girls and I decided that we needed a team ladies night. Dinner alone would not suffice so we also stayed in a hotel. First hot shower and real bed of the month. That alone put a smile on our faces.
New Team En Gedi
Turns out we are a great mix of girls. I have such a peace about all of my new teammates and love being around them and look forward to furthering a legitimate fulfilling friendship with them. As a 22 year old woman, I sometimes think I know what is best and what I want at all times. There is truth to this statement in terms of who I am and what I stand for, however I am finding this statement to be false when it comes to thinking I know best. I would have never hand selected my new team, but am beyond grateful that they are in my life.
