Fervent. Rachel, Kenzi, Gracie, Abigail, Liv, and Anna. These are the people I have done life with the past nine months and man has it been sweet. These are my best people, brothers, if you will. These people encourage, love hard, celebrate the big and small, they are intentional, authentic, create the most life-giving environment, dance often, and feast like nobody’s business. Often times, when one of us gets up and walks away, we are quick to ask each other where we are going. We ask mostly because we just wanna be where each other are or simply just wanna know. Call it separation anxiety if you want, I know. Typically, we are either going to the bathroom because it’s the only place we can get privacy and alone time or we are going to get a snack because like I said before, we feast all the time. We do just about everything together. We are inseparable. My heart breaks because the time is coming where I won’t know what snack my team mates are going to get or I won’t be in the same room with these people belting and dancing to our breakdown playlists.
I get to ask one last time “where are you going?”, so these are the next chapters of life that some very important people in my life will be walking towards.
Rachel. She is wise and never forgets the details. She is trading her tent for a dorm and going from 19 roommates to 1 this fall. She will be pursuing a white coat and blue scrubs (not green) with her love for Latin American culture to potentially do medical missions. She does things with excellence and everything for the glory of the Lord. Rachel Goehner, you’ve taught me what it means to be a friend who listens to listen. I love you, brother.
Abigail. She is intentional and selfless. She is also attending school this fall and will be pursuing more knowledge of the bible and what it looks like to counsel those who are on the field. She grew up a missionary kid in Papua New Guinea and has experienced being on the field with others her age and has a HUGE heart for those wrestling with the hard realities of being a missionary. She is for giving emotional care to the hearts of missionaries. Abigail Benedick, you have taught me to serve out of love from the Lord. I love you, brother.
Kenzi. She is humble and steadfast. She is taking all that she’s received from her race and leading next years gap year racers. Her feet will be right back in good ole Georgia with her tent this fall and she will get to experience life leading a team going from GA to partnering with Samaritan’s Purse then to Guatemala. After leading, she heads back to the west coast and begins the college life. Mackenzi Sandberg, you’ve taught me to hold on to the promises and goodness of our God no matter what our circumstances are. I love you, brother.
Gracie. She is gentle and a friend to all. She is pursuing the opportunity to get to know the Lord more deeply this fall with an AIM program called CGA (Center for Global Action). She get’s to be discipled while transitioning from the mission field to day to day life. She gets to learn what it means to live in such a way the Lord has called her to and go deeper with the Lord. Gracie Harris, you’ve taught me to cling to the Father and be pursued by Him daily. I love you, brother.
Liv. She is bold and capable. Currently, she is going through the application process to potentially serve internationally again! I won’t give too many details for the sake of her privacy. You can be in prayer for her though! She is always ready to say yes to the Lord and gives her full trust to be lead by Him daily. Olivia Yoder, you have taught me be bold and walk in the fullness of joy that can only come from above. I love you, brother.
Anna. She is passionate and strong. She will be attending school to fight for children and their protection. She loves people with her whole heart and fights for people to be seen and loved. Anna Worthen, you have taught me what it looks like to sit with people right where they are. I love you, brother.
Fervent. You are an answered prayer of community. I will forever be grateful for the gift to do life with y’all. Whether in Washington, California, Texas, Virginia, Georgia, Pennsylvania, or Indiana, I know there will always be a table to feast at. Remember me every time you go out for ice cream. I love you, brothers.
