A couple nights ago I sat in the late evening (I’m the only night-owl on my team!), in the dimly-lit living room of our apartment here in North Africa, thinking about the day and processing through our journey here so far. I thanked God for the humility, unity and incredible gifts represented in my team. A little while back most of my team mates posted blogs with descriptions of each member but I just never remembered to repost it! I considered posting that same blog, but the Lord put something different on my heart. That night I prayed over each member of my team as I edited their **gorgeous** photos in our sweet friends dresses, and asked the Lord to give me words for and about them. With their name is a word that I see in each of them. I hope you enjoy reading about these beautiful ladies that I have the privilege of doing daily life with!
My team, “Daughters of the Light”
I remember meeting Kelsey at Training Camp. We were placed together in a team building exercise with some other ladies (most of whom ended up comprising our team!) I hadn’t interacted with her much prior to this particular challenge but I remember thinking “It’s a good thing she’s here” as her calm demeanor, decisiveness and positivity showed through as she naturally took the lead. Excelling at all things athletic and knowing the value of a team, she presented ideas and executed them well. I also remember, afterwards, how well she received feedback and quickly acknowledged the concerns that were expressed in the team with compassion and understanding. These were just some of the reasons I wasn’t surprised at all when we were asked to pray and select a leader from within our team, there was a unanimous decision that Kelsey was the right one for the role. During the race, she has served us so well with humility and vulnerability. I think I can safely speak for our whole team when I saw that it is a joy to be lead by her and support her to the best of our ability. The verse that came to mind as I prayed over Kelsey was Psalm 119:45-47
“And I will walk in freedom, for I have sought Your precepts. I will speak of Your testimonies before kings, and I will not be ashamed. I delight in Your commandments because I love them.” I am so sure that she will do exactly that. Standing before kings, rulers and people of authority with confidence and humility knowing that she has a greater authority that comes from knowing Jesus.
Super power: Super-athletic ability
Weakness: Number pad style cell phone typing
The love is genuine ya’ll. This woman has a heart the size of Texas and it’s not just because that’s where she’s from! There’s always room for one more kitten, one more cause and one more person. She has this incredible ability to make every person she speaks to feel like they are the most important individual in the world at that moment. God has given her dreams and vision for this big heart of hers and say I’m confident she will change the world is an understatement. She has a passion for justice and mercy and is ready and willing to do difficult things. To have her heart wrung and broken over and over for the things that break the heart of God. The verse I got for Landry was Philippians 3:12-14“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” I am so thankful to do life with her over the next year and learn so much from her.
Super power: Musical DJ wizardry
Weakness: Cockroaches
Low-key the funniest person ever. Seriously. But you may have to listen close to know this, because Kelly is soft-spoken. Rarely the first one to speak, but when she speaks she drops truth like it’s hot. She has this crazy awesome sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. She has a passion to seek out beauty in the ordinary. She feels deeply and has so much passion for the things she sees God doing. She pays attention to detail and always has a unique perspective. Not only is her creativity a gift in itself, but it inspires and motivates the rest of our team as she encourages us to tell our stories. Quick to listen and slow to speak, she is an advocate and a place of safety for whoever she is with. She knows how to rest, but she is adventurous and fierce, ready to take on the world— after coffee of course. The verse I got for Kelly was Psalm 139:14 “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Superpower: Ability to find things: shells, cockroaches, coffee…
Weakness: Lack of coffee
This. Woman. Is. Goals. Ahh the passion! I don’t think there is a lukewarm bone is Joelle’s body. She excels as both student and teacher and puts every experience to work, edifying and inspiring whoever has the privilege of spending time with her. She stewards her challenging role as one of our squads logistical leads with excellence and grace, helping to make every transition from place to place as smooth as possible. While she is a fierce warrior and contender in the spiritual realm, her heart remains tender and sensitive to the prompting of her Lord. Her faith is inspiring and her joy infectious. When she sings, darkness trembles and the heavens join in. She has an intelligent and discerning mind, ready to run the race before her (pun not intended, but appreciated) with a tenacity unequaled by most. But she knows when to practice just “being” before the Lord in the quiet place. The verse I have to Joelle is from Proverbs 31 “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”
Superpower: Popcorn
Weakness: Also popcorn
Love ya’ll, team DotL 🙂
