It had already been 6 days in Training Camp.
The anticipation was rising.
Everyone was quiet as a mouse during this particular squad time…
We have written all of your names on individual balloons. Inside of the balloons, you will find a specific song. Pop your balloon, sing the song on the sheet and you’ll find your team, your team will be singing the same song! But first, I want you guys to open your hands and release all of your expectations to the Lord! We have prayed and we believe that God has specifically placed you where you are supposed to be” Meghan (Squad Mentor) said as she led the group in prayer!
Even though not wanting to admit it, my heart was beating fast and my mind started to race! Who would God place me on a team with? There are 33 Amazing souls and different personalities in our squad, and God, Sovereign but Specific would decide who we were going to be in intimate, “Acts 2” community with! Spending the last 6 days getting to know everyone, knowing that we would be put into small groups was nerve-racking. In World Race-dom, you have your SQUAD and then you have your TEAM! Your TEAM is a smaller group ( about 6-7 people) within the Squad, that you will be living and doing ministry with! It’s like a smaller community! Now, to be honest… I have heard some STORIES and its WILD to think that I will be doing LIFE… “ACTS 2” life with people that I have only known for only a short time! People that will see my innermost quirks, flaws, off days…. the intimate side of ME!
The suspense was killing ME!
Let me remind you of what ACTS 2 community looks like in the bible… Let’s start reading at Acts 2:42……
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Go!
Everyone ran towards the middle of the floor where different colored balloons were scattered!
I finally spotted and grabbed my orange balloon. “MeMe” affectionately written in black marker. After several attempts to pop the balloon with my foot ( my balloon was not trying to be popped, yall)!! lol!…… it finally popped! I held the broken pieces of the balloon in my hand, but I couldn’t find the small piece of paper that should have been inside. As I see everyone singing and running, my nerves went into overdrive! I searched the floor, finally finding the little white piece of paper that somehow had flown away. The little white piece of paper had the letters “YMCA” typed on there! As I stood and began to sing, I looked to my left at the group of ladies, singing, smiling and spelling YMCA with their hands…. there stood my TEAM!!!!!
Y
M
C
A
…..we sang and hugged each other. FAMILY! My heart BURST into JOY!! There I found:
Vanessa
Mady
Jordan
Katie
Marilyn
Morgan
**TEAM RADIANCE**
….YALL these ladies are BEYOND EXTRAORDINARY…..let me quickly introduce them to you!
Meet Jordan (bottom right)
One word that comes to mind when I think of Jordan is… GENTLE! Y’all, her words are filled with sweet honey and grace! She has a smile that lights up any room! There is so much peace when you’re with her!! She reminds me of this scripture: “Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”- 1 Peter 3:4… AHHHHH!
Meet Mady (next to middle bottom)
One word that comes to mind when I think of Mady is FAITHFUL! She reminds me of Lauren Daigle, actually!! Yall, her FAITH moves mountains!! She is so much fun, electric, radical and will at the drop of a dime pray for you! Not on her watch, DEVIL watch out! This one doesn’t play with your little schemes! The song that reminds me of Maddy is, of course, a Lauren Daigle song! ” Come Alive” As we call out to dry bones come alive, come alive. We call out to dead hearts come alive, come alive. Up out of the ashes let us see an army rise. We call out to dry bones, come alive!!!!….. YESSS!!
Meet Vanessa (bottom left)
Don’t get it twisted, Vanessa is all of 4’10/4’11 but she is MIGHTY and packs energy and love for all that is around her! She is an amazing listener and her laugh is so contagious! A pure and honest heart! When I think of Vanessa, this quote comes to mind: “Though she is but small she is mighty!!” – Shakespear! Oh, and she is a social worker who works as an advocate for Mental Illness! YES!
Meet Morgan (top left)
Ford Tough, is a word that I think of when I think of Morgan! This one keeps me laughing and speaks positivity into all situations- “This water it ssooo HOT” as we take ICE COLD bucket showers!! LMBO!! Morgan taught me early on at training camp, change your words change your perspective… change the temperature of water!!!! She reminds me of this quote, “Watch your thoughts; for they become words. Watch your words; for they become actions. Watch your actions; for they become habits. Watch your habits; for they become character. Watch your character for it will become your destiny.” -FRANK OUTLAW….BOMB!
Meet Katie (top middle)
“For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it.” Proverbs 8:1! E-V-E-R-Y time Katie opens her mouth she spews out wisdom She is SO WISE and PASSIONATE! She is the queen on the random knowledge and I LOVE IT!!! During training camp, she taught me so much about things I did not know.. i.e the little clips are called CARABINERS.. who would have thought it! HA! OH and she can save lives! AMEN! She is certified in CPR, Lifeguarding and in random knowledge! LOVE. IT!
Meet Marylin (top right)
Funny story! So we actually started texting each other before training camp. During training camp she came up to me and goes MeMe why do you call me “chile”!!! *pronounced “chile”( the country)* I said girl you pronounce that like CHILD but without the emphasis on the “d” like chilllllllllleeeee!!!!! I died laughing!! Glad she asked, she thought this whole time, I was calling her chili! Hahaha!! Marylin, has such an open, FEARLESS, real spirit about her!! Marylin reminds me of my momma bear! Independent+ Leader + LET’S MAKE THIS HAPPEN.. type spirit!! oh yeeaahh!
I can honestly say so much more about these ladies, but one thing for sure they have the heart of Jesus, be his hands and feet, serve his people, and love everyone they come to meet! They all want to see His kingdom come! I know there is SO much more to learn about these awesome ladies.. cant wait!
Ladies, I honestly can’t express how super excited I am to spend life with you all serving Gods people, over the next year! OH the Journey that awaits us!!!
Oh, and why the name RADIANCE? Our squad mentor gave us 2 words that she said God was speaking over our team. So as we were thinking of our name, we started thinking of 1) how we wanted all to see us 2)things that brought us joy. Things that symbolizes joy… Sun ( was one of the words thrown out) then Katie said RADIANT! HOW PERFECT!! Then Mady came to us with this scripture.. Over the next year, we want everyone we come in contact to be RADIANT!!!!
Psalm 34:5 those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
This is US!
P.S. Thank you so much to all of you who have supported me THIS FAR!!! I am $2,600 away from my next goal of $10,000! With your support, we can make this happen!! I would love your SUPPORT!! You can donate here.
love yall!
xoxo
Meyuna Shepherd
