Real love, I'm searchin' for a real love
Someone to set my heart free
Real love, I'm searchin' for a real love
-Mary J Blige – Real Love
Ahem, I need you to focus and stop singing the song! So back at training camp, four score and ten years ago….not really more like a month ago, teams were formed. On my race, I am part of a squad (W) which consists of about 45 people. We will all be traveling to the same routes/countries. But then we are segmented into teams. Teams consist of 6-7 individuals who I will be living and doing ministries with. So each team will be dispersed and serving in different parts of the county we are traveling to.
While initially I was indifferent to either a coed or all women team later during training camp I thought if I was to choose one I would pick a coed team….and GOD laughed. HA HA. Then proceeded to place me in an all-women team. Over the course of getting to know each of these ladies and with God dropping in my heart the purpose of me being with these girls and why each of these lovely ladies are there as well I can truly say I'm uber excited and blessed to have each and everyone of them on my team! So I've kept you waiting, now let me introduce TEAM 'REAL LOVE'.
Cameron is our awesome leader. She hails from South Carolina and is a recent college graduate. This woman right here is very intentional in the way she loves. She strives to be the best at everything she does. Her last name is "Force" for a reason. I look forward to hearing the phrase "just put my heart in the microwave and melt it" many times over the next few months. She's doing such a great job as a leader already and I'm excited to see how God is going to use this warrior to lead our team!
Amie is from Virginia and was a teacher. The word that comes to my mind when I think of this woman is "joy." She has such a wonderful joyful spirit which is quite infectious and you can't help but be in a good mood when you're around her. I can guarantee Amie will be the one to keep our spirits up when we're feeling a bit down during our mission!
Lauren aka "mama Lauren" hails from Michigan and formerly worked as a marketing director for a well known brand. She has such a nurturing spirit about her. Lauren is so much fun to be around and is very creative. We are so much alike in more ways than one and she's like the big sister I never had! I'm excited to see God use Lauren to challenge our team and bring out the best in each of us!
Sierra, whom I like to call my "flower child" is from Florida and also a recent college graduate. Sierra has such a calm, peaceful spirit. I mean when you live by the beach, you ought to! I feel like walking barefooted every time I'm around her. This woman is quite the encourager and motivator. I'm excited to see God use Sierra to keep us all sane!
Susan is from New Jersey and is also a former teacher. When I think of Susan, I see a strong woman of God. She's been through a lot past few months as she has been called into missions, but has been relentless and continues in the pursuit of God's will for her life. I'm excited to see how God will use Susan to strengthen our team and push us to accomplish what God has called us to do.
Then there's ME I'm awesome, sweet, I have big hair….AND then descends the spirit of humility 🙂 My role is to serve as the Treasurer for our team (from corporate America to mission field, yes, finance never seems to leave me). But, I'm really humbled to fulfill that role and to know my team trusts me in maintaining our finances.
In selecting our team name, we were really intentional in being led by the Holy Spirit stemming from a session we previous had at training. Over conversation we felt God was leading each of us in a season where we can truly embrace what it means to give and receive love to each other and to those we encounter in a way Christ loves us. Susan who had to leave before teams were officially announced was also led by the spirit, miles away, as she chose verses that were complimenting of the name "Real Love" we chose. Isn't God amazing!! The verse that God spoke to my heart and I shared with the team was 1 John 3:18-20 (also our theme verse)
My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.
I cannot wait to do life with these beautiful women over the next 11 months. Please checkout their blogs (click below their picture on the left) to learn more about them and read about our journey through their lens. I know God has something very special in store for each of us and will use us collectively to further His kingdom here on earth. I'm so honored to be part of such an awesome God-fearing, loving community.
Sorry I interrupted earlier, you may now proceed singing…
"Real Love, i'm searchin' for a real love…"
With Love,
