A letter to Grafted In

 

To my baby bok, my little sister, fearless leader:

8 months together! Lol 4 of them spent avoiding the heck out of eachother but God had other plans! You listened, you cared, you fought to know me. We tell this over and over but it’s so impactful! You fought daily to be my friend, you listened to me even when I was being hurtful. From you i learned what it looked like to honestly seek God to know someone better, to never stop trying, to go out on a limb and trust that if i fall He’s got me! You led our team with such amazing grace and godly wisdom! It was such an AWESOME opportunity to have you as my team lead! 

 

To Han Han, Hannah banana, the mighty one,

So much to say… I feel like out of everyone you were the one I missed out on. Coming into this team you were one of the people i felt I could talk to and I think we just got lost somewhere in the crazy team mix. And I am sorry for not trying harder to understand you and being open when u reached out. But u mighty one have taught me how to smile no matter what, things are never as bad as they seem, and even in the darkest pain to seek God no matter what he might say. You showed me courage and strength beyond anything! 

 

To Os-car, oscie, os 

Lmbo I literally laughed right there. I didn’t think I would miss you nearly as much as I do! Much like Han we were close before we came on this team ( btw Oscar held the record as the first person I snuggled with!) and we got on the same team and I think I let everyone’s opinion of us being to much for one another and ppl being worried about us being on the same team get in the way of getting to know u even better. But you taught me what it looks like to be me! You taught me what it looks like to stand up for what I want and to not let ppls different opinions shape my own. You alway made sure to tell me I was beautiful and that meant the world to me, because for the first time in my life I knew what it was for a man to tell me that and not want something from me. 

 

To Cono:

You have one name because it’s ur official nickname! You taught me what it looks like to share my faith boldly. To go out and evangelize to talk to the random person because just a simple hello can mean the world. I’ve gotten the privilege to watch you grow SO much in the last 8 months. From a guy month 1 in Colombia who struggled with so much and tried to hide it to a man in Armenia that knew who he was and discovering Jesus in a whole new way and was open with what was going on. Even if you don’t know what our friendship looks like after the race (and that’s ok) I know u will always be there! I know your someone I can count on. You know my story and u know how much that means! Thank you for saving my leg and shoe that fateful day that we became friends! U will always be my little brother! 

 

Last but def not least:

 

To Jenny, Jmomma, Jennifer,

8 months is a long time to spend basically every moment with someone. But it never felt like a burden for me to spend that time with you. Through all my anxiety, crazy scenarios, emotional outbursts you were there… literally EVERY. SINGLE. ONE!! You loved and supported me in so many ways. You were never afraid to call me out when I was being dramatic (fetch me my bags, set up my cot). From you I learned how to love people unconditionally. I am not an easy person to love and u loved me so well. You are brave, you are a queen, you are amazingly strong (D1 baby) your a boss! This right here is a life long friendship!!! I thank God everyday for a friend like you. Since the day u strapped on that backpack and did our fitness hike all over again just to support me, you walked me across the scariest landslide of MY LIFE!! And were so steady the whole way!!! Jenny you are an amazing person! 

 

That’s team grafted in, some of my absolute favorite humans of this planet!!  And even though we have gone to separate teams and in 3 months to separate states, they will always have such a special place in my heart!!