Ya know that saying “all good things come to an end?” Sadly, it seems to be a mostly true statement. As we head into our second debrief of the race, here in Peru, after month 4, we are all aware that team changes are coming. This means after four months with the lovely ladies of Salmo 45:11, I’ll be paired up with new members of the squad next week. So just to fill you in on all the girls I’ve spent every waking second with since January and to show them how much they mean to me, I thought I’d do a little blog dedication!
It’s a rarity that when you throw 6 girls who don’t know each other into a situation where they have to live together 24/7 that you don’t end up with a Real Worldish reality show. However, it somehow has magically worked out for our group. Yes, like most women, we have had our ups and downs during our time together, but the laughs are longer than the anger and the love shines through more than the frustration. These 5 daughters of Christ now know more about me than most anyone I’ve ever met, and they accept me for who I am. At the same time they challenge me to grow and seek out the woman God has created me to be. That’s what true friendship looks like to me.
SALMO 45:11
Brie Thomas (team leader)
My favorite thing about Brie is how she so intentionally cares. About me, about our hosts, about the ministries we work with and of course about her relationship with God. The similarities our stories include have been a great blessing. Through the way she understands me to the encouraging words she never fails to offer, I have found a friend who I know will always be there for me no matter the situation.
Allie Mitchell (music extaordinaire)
This girl, in so may ways, is a role model to me. From her ability to speak and sing in Spanish to the way she lights up when she talks about Jesus, I’ve seen in Allie a bold woman of God. Plus, she’s hilarious, caring and thoughtful. Though she can literally run circles around me, I know she will sit down and talk things out with me any time of the day.
Ana Kempner (team treasurer and realist)
If you would like to personally thank someone for keeping me sane on this trip, Ana is your girl. She loves listening to country music. She keeps me in shape and tan. She understands all about problems with the fella and lets me talk about it more than I should. She loves Jesus with her whole heart. And she’s kinda weird, but cool weird, like me! She even admitted we are gonna be “forever friends!” the other day. I would have moved out by now if I didn’t have these simple things that let me really be myself.
Katie Axelson (blog editing Queen)
Katie is what we like to refer to as my opposite. Which when spending 24/7 together sounds a little scary, but opposites attract must be true even in friendship! Though there are things we disagree on, Katie has taught me things about myself I would probably just always ignore if it was just me. Sometimes, I’m a little too dangerous, I would most likely have some kind of disease from contaminated food, and I certainly wouldn’t take time out of my day to just be alone without her example. Honestly, in those little ways there’s a chance she’s saved my life on the race so far. Her discipline is something I admire, and in the times she lets her guard down and gets a little crazy, we actually look pretty similar 🙂
Sandra Santiago (Latin American culture professional)
Sandra is my example, that no matter where you’ve come from, Jesus can be a light in your life. No matter how long her stories get or how many times she sticks her foot in her mouth, I could spend mucho time with this lady. Her biblical knowledge and example are an encouragement to me. Plus, without her cooking knowledge I would have been eating spaghetti everyday. I think I’ve even learned something, so future husband you can thank her for that! From random marshmellow roasting in Nashville before the race to just hammock chillin, there’s never a dull moment with Sandra.
Girls, thank you all for being exactly who each of you are and for really accepting me for me. You have each blessed me in so many ways and have really been my sanity in all the craziness my life has encountered these past 4 months. I know, that even if we aren’t together on a regular basis after this, that I can count on each of you from here on out. I pray I’ve touched your lives as much as you have touched mine and I hope you each bless your new teams as you have blessed this one…and remember
the King is enthralled with YOUR beauty, honor Him for He is your Lord.
Salmo 45:11
i love you girls
