But first a word about my squad- P Squad aka Freedom Fighters
It’s crazy to think that just 10 months ago we were all strangers living our own lives all across the US, and how in just 10 days I feel like I just adopted 38 brothers & sisters (mostly sisters as there are only 3 guys in my squad, but still hahahaha) and we became a family.
The best way to describe us is: Loud-fun loving-leaders-diverse-passionate
I must admit that I was afraid to meet the rest of my squad as I was worried about how they would respond to me, and would I be able to relate to them? I had been skypeing with a few a them in the months leading up to training camp, and I had talked to a few more via the GroupMe text app, but I was still scared to meet them, but as I found out I had nothing to worry about as I totally adore my squamates, and they seem to like me too.
August 2018 Squad Wars Champions!
Now I want to introduce you to my Team:
TEAM SURRENDERED
There is a total of 6 gals including myself that make up Team Surrendered from left to right: Lauren-Kaitlin-Sarah Ann-Martha-Jillian-Me
We were brought together by means of prayer & team building exercises
I kinda wish that there was some interesting story behind our name, but in reality it was one that we had on a list of potential names that we prayed over, and this was the one that stood out to all of us, and in a way it seems right for every one of us has in a way surrendered something to this journey that we are embarking on this coming year.
So without further ado INTRODUCING:
From Tallahassee FL
SARAH ANN ALLEN aka “Patches”
Age:26
What her best friend says about her: Although Sarah Ann has lived her whole life in Tallahassee FL, she has travelled extensively and enjoys new sights and new people. Sarah Ann has never met a stranger. You’ll most often find her making new friends, smelling candle scents or painting wildlife. Bubbly enthusiastic, and authentic, Sarah Ann has a deep desire for connecting with others and encouraging people to be the best they can be. Her greatest strength is her love of people and their stories, her greatest weakness is sonic’s Ocean water drink.
From Cincinnati Ohio
KAITLIN CHURCH aka “Cuddles”
Age: 28
What Kaitlin’s best friend says about her: Kaitlin is one of most thoughtful and loyal souls I know. She cares for others deeply and goes above and beyond to meet the needs of others. Throughout the years Kaitlin has constantly asked God “where do you want me to be?” For years that meant remaining faithful in a difficult work environment and loving her co workers like Christ. this is one of her many strengths intimately loving people in small group setting. By listening and caring for others, Kaitlin shows Christ’s abiding love for people daily. She is beautiful, energetic and deeply loving woman of the lord and she is going to do amazing things this next year.
From Nashville TN
JILLIAN SCESKI aka Giggles” Team Treasurer
Age: 24
What her best friend says about her:
Compassionate- You show kindness and understanding for other people’s hardships and try to help them in some way
Courageous- moved to Nashville by herself & then did a 360 with her career
Passionate- you pursue whatever is in your heart
Obedient- to what/where God is leading you
Hard Working
dependable- can always come to you if need of advice for help
Hilarious
Humble
Genuine-You are who you are and your not afraid to be yourself or follow what God has called you to do, you don’t let worldy views deter you
Side note: She sounds almost exactly like Velma from Scooby Doo
From Houston TX
MARTHA KUHN aka “Bubbles” Team Leader
Age: 22
What her best friend says about her: Martha is someone you want to get to know. She embodies a quiet confidence that draws people in and makes people notice her and a desire to flow her example. Martha can challenge you intellectually as she sees well beyond the surface of this world and enjoys articulating conversation that points to such things yet she’s also the first person you want to call if you want to have a much needed bell laugh and to just be goofy. Martha characterizes empathy in every sense of the word. She feels deeply for those around her which allows her kindness and compassion to impact all those she interacts with. Martha loves to engage with those around her and is devoted to the things her heart is passionate about. She is an encourager and a smiling face when you need one the most allowing her to be the perfect member of a team as she thrives on sergeant leadership. Martha is the kind of friend everyone would be lucky to cross paths with even for a brief “season”.
From Lexington KY
LAUREN DEAN aka “Sprinkles”
Age:21
What her best friend says about her: She has so much enthusiasm for the Lord, learning more about Him, and sharing Him with others.
She is very intentional in her conversations and enjoys learning about people. She is humble in receiving advice and desires to grow in all areas of her life.
She loves adventures and isn’t intimidated to try new things. She is very outspoken about her faith and sharing the Good News with with friends and strangers. She led a newer friend to the Lord on a mission trip and was able to baptize her while they were there. She has walked through some very challenging things in her short life, which have only made her stronger and more reliant on her Heavenly Father.
She is a joy to be around and will be extremely missed as she is on this highly anticipated new adventure.
From DETROIT MI
BONNIE BAKEWELL aka “Tickles” Story telling leader
Age: 33 (Yes I’m the oldest gal on my Squad)
What my Best friend says about me:
Loyal-Competitive-great friend-caring-religious-awesome listener-loving daughter-loves to spend quality time with others-determined-high motor-passionate-loves to live life by her own rules-adventurous-protective-strong-dependable-faithful-big heart for others-goofball-smart
Here is the prayer that my best friend sent me as a prayer over us & for our journey as a team:
I pray that your team accomplishes amazing things in our Lord’s name. I pray that your strengths compliment each other. I pray that you grow from each other. With the Trinity as your anchor, you will have an incredible ministry, I am convinced!
How the team came together:
One of the highlights of all of training camp for me was when officially found out who our teams were going to be, and that morning we had a trial run of our potential teams, and after it was all over everyone of us said just how much we hoped that this was the final team, as we all felt that connection with one another. Personally during the other team building exercises I was a different teams one with Kaitlin & one with Martha, and there was a question what we were asked about who we thought we worked best with on that “team”, and in both of those cases Kaitlin & Martha were my number one picks from those different team building (but in reality I could have seen myself on any team with anyone). Sarah Ann was one of the people of the squad that met during one of the early Skype sessions, and from the time that I had met her via technology I had a feeling that if it was God’s will that she would be one of my teammates, and I prayed about it, and God answered that prayer. Both Lauren & Jillian were the wild cards as I had never really interacted with them much before training camp other then randomly on our groupme app, but to me that is another example of God putting people into my life, and I m excited to find out the reason why cause both of them are pretty cool gals.
Overall I am so pumped that I get to live with and serve along side these 5 incredible women for at least half of the year. I’m excited to see how we all grow in our faith, and maybe even find our purpose.
Til next time your fellow sister in Christ,
Bonnie
Psalms 18:2
Team Surrendered
P Squad aka Freedom Fighters & August 2018 Squad Wars Champions
YOLO
X
