Hey friends!
I want to update you on my time in Malaysia with more details about what life has looked like in Indonesia as well. Stay tuned for blogs that include those details soon 🙂
For the month of April we switched teams and had all the women as one team and all the men as another. During this month God really was working on my heart in the area of love. Loving Him, loving myself and loving others – peep this order! God shows us and gives us the desire and knowledge how to love and adore Him, and from that we learn how to love ourselves. Only when we know and have experienced these two things are we able to TRULY love others. Something I use to say was “I can love them, but I don’t have to like them,” and God said “If you truly loved them, you would like them.” That was genuinely humbling; if I saw what God sees when He loves people my only response would be to like them! So this month, living in a house with twelve women was the time to really love and truly see these women how God does. I am just blown away!
Ana
Ana is my spicy Mexican mama!! She feels like home, not just culturally but her hospitable heart is part of her gifting. Ana is genuine and gives of herself freely; she loves deeply and sees others in such a unique way. Even during the months prior to the race until now our friendship has grown, and she is someone who just gets me and is a place of comfort. I know Ana just gets me and I don’t have to explain my thought process of even who I am, she just gets it. I am so thankful for that, and the fact that we share the love of food 🙂 Anita, gracias por tu amor y tu corazn tan bello. Estos meses contigo han sido increibles y aprecio tu sabiduria. Eres lo maximo y estoy llena de alegria que puedemos sigure fuerte en nuestro amor y amistad<3
Cari
Man, where to even begin with this girl! When I came on the race I knew nothing about Cari, based on her FB I thought she was a little flower child and that was it. In San Francisco the squad came together for dinner and I sat with Cari and her family; I had no idea I would love this human so much. I was not looking for a friendship like this if I am honest. Cari pushes me to see the good inside myself and to be a better person. She sees others in a way I have never experienced and loves so DEEPLY. Literally, everyone loves Cari, and honestly how could you not? Cari is joyful, an adventurer, and creative. She has pushed her way into my heart with elbow licks, adventure names, and cuddles – all these things I would never accept or embrace from anyone else. I love you Carolina, forever and always
Chelsey
Prior to the race I connected the most with Chelsey, and to be frank she is a huge reason I ended up coming on the race. Around November I started to doubt that the race was a good idea, and Chelsey was the only person on my squad I told. She encouraged me through this period and literally would text me everyday to see if I was close to my deadline to be able to launch with everyone. Part of the reason we connected so well was because she was the only person who would respond to my three AM text messages haha! Chelsey has a heart of pure gold.The way she has pursued Jesus and allowed herself be pursued by Him is beautiful. God’s heart and strength pours out of this woman. Thank you for being such an encouragement to me and allowing me to do this life with you. Chelsey, I am so blessed by you and I am so overwhelmed with love for you. You have been an unexpected friendship that I want to continue forever. I love you BBJ<3
Emily
Wow, what a woman!! Emily is strong, brave, and bold! Her heart is pure and overflows with love for people. She is steadfast and thirsts for the Lord in a way I haven’t seen in many people. Her generosity is just one way she shares God’s heart for others, but she is selfless with her time and the way she wants to see God in each person. The fruits of the spirit is what I think of when I think about Emily. Her nature name is Sunshine, and I truly believe it’s God’s glory shining through her. Emily, thank you for wrestling with me, sharing your heart with me and being a place where I can share mine. I know God has more for you and I can’t wait to sit during month eleven and remember the wrestels and struggles it took to get us there. I love you and the friendship we have<3
Hannah
My fave crazy kiwi woman! I met Hannah in December prior to the race and she was a confirmation that I would at least like one person on my squad haha!! The night I picked Hannah up and took her to the house, she jumped in and was a part of the family. She spent time snuggled up with Joaq and spent hours with my mom, being sassy together looking for sweet value village finds. I knew I met someone special, even if we were together for a few days. On the race Hannah has been this joy and breath of fresh air for me. She is SUCH a wise woman and makes me laugh anytime we are together. She is not afraid to share perspective with me and be raw. I love spending time with you, laughing at ridiculous things with you and being able to talk about how incredible Jesus is. I love you so much and I can’t wait to continue doing life with you.
Jenna
Jenna is joyful, loving and lives freely. She has been stepping out in the truth that God has called her into. When Jenna walks outside she usually will make a friend within five minutes. She loves wholeheartedly and wants to love people like Jesus did.
Thank you for being patient with me and loving me despite my stubbornness. I have been so amazed by you and the way you walk with Jesus, I know He is crazy about you and watching you journey through that has been such a highlight for me. Keep seeking and asking because I know He is so faithful to answer and loves to join in our searching.
Kaelyn
Flamingo is what we call her and she is bright and filled with God’s joy. Kaelyn loves bright colors, has incredible taste in music, and is a woman after God’s own heart. When I think of Kaelyn I think of David, the way he worshiped and loved God with all he had – that is Kaelyn. She is so free to be who God made her to be and walks in that security He has given her. Flam, you are a treasure and a precious gem – rare and breathtaking! I love your heart and the way you have loved our team so well. I am thankful for our talks and the way you see my heart even through my sassiness.Thank you for being you and in turn encouraging others to be fully themselves. I love you crazy girl
Kate
Kate is one of our squad leaders; she has been a part of leadership since the beginning and will be with us until South Africa. When I first met her I knew she was nice, but I didn’t realize how much I would grow to love and cherish her. The wisdom she carries in such humility and the way she leads us is incredible. Not only is she fiercely and wonderfully made, she is an image bearer – she is cheeky, a fashionista, and loves snacks. Kate is bold, courageous, and loves fully. My heart has truly been touched by her! Kate, thanks for saying yes to squad leading. I know that we will be lifelong friends, you are incredible, and if meeting you was the reason I came on the race, I would do it again. I love you Katelyn.
Lindsay
Lindsay AKA Debbie, this cat loving woman is radiant. Her love and passions pours out of her in all she does. Debbie’s humor is just a way she brings joy and can literally make a whole room roar with laughter! Lindsay, I have enjoyed seeing your heart this month and grow in relationship with you. Thank you for letting us see you for all that you are. I know this is just the beginning of many laughs and here’s to the dates that are yet to come!
Samantha
Samantha, where to start with this woman!! Sam sees each person on the squad and wants to love them well. She goes above and beyond to see others the way God does and wants to push others towards growth, but more importantly towards God. I have had the privilege of spending time with Sam sitting at coffee shops, going on walks, and listening to the way God reveals things to her. Sam, you are beautiful and so genuine. I have enjoyed our time together and listening to your heart. You are more than a conqueror and I am so excited how God continues to pull you into the more He has for you these next months!
Yosiana
Yosi is from Indonesia and while she is technically not on our squad she has joined our all girls team this month. Yosi is incredible, she is sweet, beautiful, and so kind. Yosi makes friends so easily and is so influential. I am so excited to see what God has for her here in Indonesia. I know He has something big. Yosiana, wow I have LOVED getting to know you and to see your heart throughout this month. I love the way you connect with our team and that you fit in so well with us – you see our craziness and love us anyway. In a lot of ways, I believe you were also an answer to our prayers; I think that God saw our paths cross and just smiled. Thank you for traveling with us and being an open door into this country and into places we normally wouldn’t be able to go. I love you Yosi and I won’t ever forget my Indonesian sister <3
Thank you for reading this and about the people who are so precious to my heart and currently the ones I am doing life with! God is good and I am thankful for all He is doing and has done <33
