Being on this team the past 4 months, I’ve learned so many valuable lessons that will stick with me for the rest of my life
1. I don’t have to be afraid of girls.
The thought of being around 5 other girls-who were strangers at first, mind you-terrified me! I don’t have the best track record with girls, and I’ve encountered one too many mean girls in my life. Honestly, I hated the thought of being with these girls; at training camp I already found myself longing for month 4 team changes. I looked at every single girl on my team and made up scenarios as to why she’d already hate me and wouldn’t want to be my friend. So quickly into month 1, however, reality smacked me in the face. These girls actually loved me, cared about me, and encouraged me to be me. I soon realized that I didn’t have to be afraid of them; they weren’t like the mean girls I’ve always encountered. These girls love Jesus, and they love me.
2. I don’t have to be insecure around girls
Now this is something I’ve ALWAYS struggled with. I can remember being at church at age 7, and I wanted to sit with the one friend I really had. I remember her saying, “this is only where the skinny girls sit.” To that, I sucked in my stomach and said, “well I’m kinda skinny,” to which she relied, “not skinny enough.” So this is a painful memory that’s been seared into my brain. I was so scared of the comparisons I knew I would make, and remember, I thought they were mean girls-so naturally they would make those comparisons, too. But, as before, it was just a preconceived notion in my head. These girls have been nothing but supportive of me. From working out, to running, to climbing a mountain-they wait for me. They know I’m not the fastest, but they also believe in me and know that I’ll get there.
3. Having 5 sisters is actually fun
I’m sure most of you know I only have 1 older brother; I’ve never wanted a sister, and honestly I never really wanted daughters. This year has changed that for me. I now see the relationships I have with my sisters, and I wish I had that with a biological sister as well. I haven’t laughed as hard, cried as much, or been as vulnerable as I have with these girls I now call sister. I love how they’ve changed my viewpoint on girls.
4. I now have 5 people I trust with all my heart
Like I said above, we can laugh, cry, and share intimate details without feeling judged or belittled. I’ve never really had that sort of relationship with anyone, and it’s something I’ve come to love and desire out of all my relationships.
5. We are all beautiful in our own way
Every one of us has our own strength that makes us different from each other-and to me that’s so beautiful. So I’m going to brag on each of my sisters for a moment!
Carley is so organized and hard working. She never stops asking questions and striving to get things done.
Elaina never fails to make me laugh. She’s funny, honest, and so vulnerable.
Allison is wise beyond her years. She fights for what she wants and what she believes in, and that’s so important in an ever-changing world.
Kacie is like the crazy fun aunt that you want to spend every day with. She’s funny and comes equipped with the dad jokes.
Liesl is my constant encourager and defender. She loves fiercely and isn’t afraid to speak her mind.
Brandi, Liesl, Kacie, Allison, Elaina, and Carley. We make up the Tribe of Judah.
These girls and I have been through so much together. I love them so much, and now that team changes are approaching I’m scared to lose them. They’ve become my best friends and my sisters. At team change there’s a possibility we’ll all be split up from each other, and while a new team equals more sisters (and maybe even brothers) it still saddens me that I’ll be separated from my family.
