Each of the following paragraphs is written by the other five members Emunah (aka Puppy Pack) about Miss Candace. Each girl wrote about how they have seen growth and change in Candace since the beginning of the race in Indonesia to where we currently stand, at the end of month four in Cambodia. We all love this girl so much and watching her change has been a blessing! Be sure to check out the other team members of Emunah and see if you can figure out who wrote what!
Oh Candace. This chica is just full of spunk and surprises. The way she can talk to anyone and make them feel included is a gift from the Lord. It is amazing how much she has grown in just four months. Her relationship with God and simply wanting to go deeper with Him has blossomed and is spreading seeds. She is so passionate about knowing the different languages in each country and is really good about picking it up quickly. It shows so many people that you care about them and that they feel important. The Lord has made such a uniquely stunning daughter and I am so glad I get to call her a friend. She is so real and raw which is something you do not always get with people. This year she has been faced with many challenges and has been put in situations that are out of her comfort zone, but the way she dives right into them shows her desire to advance in the Lord even more. So thank you Candace for being fearless and being yourself, you lead me in that way. Thank you for always brightening up a room with your dad jokes. Thank you for your enthusiasm. Thank you for being real. Love you and can not wait to see what else our God is going to do with you in the next months and in your life. #hesgotbigplans
Oh, Candace. Also known as CanDance. I don’t remember how we gave her that nickname, but it is hers. This girl is really special. She is so different from the woman I was just getting to know in month 1. Her pursuit of the Lord is the most touching thing to watch out of all the girls on the team for me. She is really looking and waiting for the Lord to reveal Himself to her. He has and will still continue to do so because she is wanting it. How beautiful is that? Candace is full of joy, love, and confidence. She literally lights up the room when she comes in. She has also never met a stranger in her life. She can go up to anyone fearlessly and in 5 minutes they will be best friends. Her boldness and confidence has encouraged me to be myself and to not be afraid to approach others. Growth for her over past 4 months has looked like getting to know God more and developing a deeper relationship with him. It has also looked like being vulnerable and trusting us in some really hard times. I love this girl and love the way she loves others. She loves the locals by wanting to communicate with them. She has a passion for languages and our team always looks to her when we are trying to communicate because she knows much more than we do! She dives right into the cultures that we have be a part of and meets people right where they are at. That is Jesus for you, and that is how I see Christ shine to evidently in Candace. I love you so much woman of God! I am praying that the Lord will take you so much deeper, deeper than your mind can understand. I pray that you can feel his presence and that He will continue to reveal Himself to you in the ways that you can understand. I LOVE YOU! Thank you so much for the fun, jokes, and light that you have brought to Emunah.
Oh the places you’ll go when you have the privilege of friendship with this treasure. It is impossible to have a boring day with her by your side. Candace is such a bright spot on our team that keeps things fresh, never afraid to approach any new person or situation. She leads our team in her unique ability to embrace whatever culture she’s in & snuggle her way into the hearts of the locals. The only thing I am ever sure to expect from her is adventure & fashion outside my comprehension. But it makes life unpredictable in such a positive way — we stay out of the box & laughter is usually only a breath away. I am pretty positive that there are things I’ve seen Candace do that I will see again some day on an interview with Jimmy Fallon, cuz this chick is hilarious & is going places. But Candace is so much more than these things. Maybe you don’t know this, but she’s been on this incredible path to search out & understand her faith, which takes some serious guts & determination. More things than you could imagine have tried to sabotage this faith journey she’s on, but Candace will not be taken down, no matter the challenge. If anybody ever considered for a moment that she couldn’t do it, you done messed up, A-aron! This girl’s very core is encapsulated in tenacity. Some of the roadblocks on this path have been nearly unbearable, but though there are times she has been shaken, this girl is not gonna break. No one will get between her & her end goal. She may be afraid of stickers & claim to hate kids (even though that is not remotely true), but this beautiful woman has one of the biggest hearts to love people where they’re at that I have ever seen. I am regularly in awe of her ease of conversation with strangers & hope I can pick up some of the boldness that lines her character. With her tenacious spirit, outrageously fun personality, & heart for people, Candace has & will continue to impact the world. To love the way she loves is beautiful & rare, & I know God will use it to affect many people for the kingdom. Her journey to finding how she fits with Jesus still has some hurdles ahead, but she’ll get there, because I know He has such amazing plans for Candace. I am so sad that we’re changing teams because it is an honor to stand by her as she fights for her future, but I have so much hope that it doesn’t matter how far apart we are — I’m cheering for you, Candace!
Can-to-the-dance, Canbert, aka Candace. This girl has transformed tremendously on this journey. I remember first meeting Candance at training camp and thinking “what does this girl think she has signed up for?” I am so glad that she stuck it out, even though it was hard and miserably cold at times. From Indonesia to Cambodia, she has not stopped growing. She has pushed herself in her faith and has grown leaps and bounds. One thing that is awesome about Candace is that she has never ever met a stranger. She has the ability to start a conversation with any and everyone that she comes in contact with and it’s just a joy and honor to watch. The Puppy Pack went to Angkor Wat last week (the biggest religious monument in the world, a very large temple) and after accidentally being blessed by a Buddhist monk, Candace shared the Gospel with him. She walks with a fierce boldness and with the authority of Christ. She has pushed me to be bold and to say the hard things when needed. It is such an honor to call her teammate and to call her friend. Her walk with the Lord has not been easy by any means and the enemy is constantly trying to bring her down, and yet she perseveres. She pushes herself in her relationship with the Lord and is constantly trying to grow closer to Him. She is full of joy, full of fun and full of life. The Puppy Pack was honored to have her as a part of it. We love you, Candace!!
Candace – Candace loves doing yoga on the rooftop with a fresh new pot of coffee in the morning. She also has one of the biggest heart I know for people. She has never met a stranger in her life. She loves all walks of life, big or small…street cat or the man who owns the fruit stand down the street. She carries God’s light everywhere she goes and it seems to just be getting brighter and brighter each country we go to. Candace is a challenger. Not only is she stretching and pushing herself to new yoga poses, but she does the same with her walk of faith. No matter what the circumstance, she never gives up and always perseveres. Candace is a mighty warrior and woman of God. She stands up for what is right and seeks out justice. She prays with so much passion in her heart and has such a genuine spirit to love with all that she has. I can’t wait for her to publish all her books and then speak at conferences. It’s going to be LIT!
Love,
Alyssa, AJ, Amber, Shelby, and Caley
