A Note From My World Race Family

 

AyeeJaayy.  Y’all this girl is a fireball.  She loves so deeply and is going to persist after your heart the way that God pursues after ours.  The way that she is so intentional with people, truly caring how they are doing and what is going on in their life, is something that God has gifted her with.  Her heart to serve others is just one of the many beautiful things about this badass woman. If you have heard this chica pray than you know how much of a warrior she is for the Lord.  She is so rare and raw with the Lord asking Him to do the big things that we as believers should have faith in Him completing. The laughter she brings to not only this team but also to everyone she comes in contact with is contagious.  It has been amazing to see her grow so much in just these past four months in knowing herself and our Father on a deeper level. She already has so much wisdom but does not stop chasing after His word and realizing every truth God has said pertains to her as well.  Since she does persist after others so lovingly it has been awesome to see her take time for herself learning to love the person God crafter her to be. I mean what can I say; she is the cutest on the squad so of course God has big plans for this mighty woman. So thank you for being an intimate woman of God.  Thank you for meeting everyone with their own love languages. Thank you for showing me that praying to the Lord is simply having a conversation with a friend, even if you are frustrated with Him. Thank you for being raw. Thank you for showing me how to seek wisdom and to never stop fighting for it. Love you so much and can not wait to see the person you are going to be by the end of these next few months.

Ahhh Jayyy, what can I say? This woman is such a beacon of hope and strength for our team, and that’s not just because she was our beloved treasurer. With every team activity and discussion she would have such wisdom in her added two cents that we would find growth from even the littlest of things, like grocery shopping. When we met at training camp I knew right away that I had a lot to learn from her and that she would be a major cog in my growth this year, then we were put on a team together and I could feel all my wildest world race dreams coming true because (I had the cutest person on our squad on my team!) I knew she would push me into greatness the same way God was calling me into greatness. AJ is the type of person that wants to see the people she loves be the best they can be, but will sacrifice her own greatness in order to see that for others, but as the months have gone by I have seen her take the quiet time, pray for herself, and push into her own needs on top of being a such a strong caretaker for others. I’ve also seen AJ crack her exterior shell and open up about her life to us as team and individually; sharing some of the hardest parts of her past as well as the happiest moments of her time on Earth has been such an honor for me as her teammate, friend, and sister. This woman has made such an impact on my walk in faith and my life in general in just four short months with how she shows love, strength, honesty, and perseverance. I’m so proud of how far AJ has come thus far and cannot wait to see what else God has up his sleeves for this wonderful woman.

A to the J. Age. Ajose. This woman is a fireball. It isn’t just because of her ginger hair, even though that just solidifies it. Oh man, where do I even start. I am most definitely going to give myself away in talking about her, but I can’t help it. I love this fierce woman of God to death. She was my first friend at training camp and I remember almost always sitting next to her during our sessions and worships sessions. I remember praying together so many times and I should have known then how much prayer is a part of her life. AJ is a prayer warrior. She is going to roll her eyes when she reads that (but accept the compliment AJ!). She has taught me SO MUCH about prayer. Prayer works. Prayer is essential. Pray is literally the lifeline that we have in order to talk with the Lord. I have understood and grasped all this through AJ. She prays to God like He is sitting right in front of her. She speaks to Him like a friend and a Father. Through listening and watching her pray I have been convicted that I do not approach God in the same manner. Yes, I know prayer is important. Yes, I know He is listening. But through AJ, I have TRULY realized it. I am so thankful for the power and strength that she has brought to our team. She is insanely funny and always tells me that I am the only one who laughs at her jokes. Which I don’t think is true, but even if it is, I am glad I get and find her sense of humor funny. She has brought so much laughter and joy to me. I don’t know what I am going to do without her! We were together all throughout training camp, and now together in Emunah. It is hard to have the possibility that we may not be together on our next teams. Growth for her has looked like understanding and growing deeper in the Lord. It has looked like letting the convictions of her heart turn into actions to walk more like Jesus. She is on the path to really searching for wisdom, and she will find it. I have already seen so many strides in wisdom since month 1. AJ also pursues people more than any person I have EVER met. Every time I am trying to look for her she is have some quality time with someone and praying for them. I love her heart! I am so incredibly blessed to have met her. I get to call this firecracker family now. Praise the Lord for that. She speaks truth like the double-edge sword that it is. I love you to death AJ. I am praying that the Lord will keep showing what true wisdom is. I am also praying that He will reveal new sides of Himself to you. I love you prayer warrior. You are truly a warrior woman of God!

A to da J. This girl is on fire. And though it may seem like it starts with the ginger hair, it actually starts with a fierce passion from the Lord. This girl has taught me so much through the ferocity that she has. First of all, this girl is a prayer warrior. Never in my life have I heard someone pray so boldly and passionately. She has pushed me in many ways and one of those is in the Word. She always asks great questions and ponders things that I don’t always think about. I forgot to tell you this… but she is kind of a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles. One of my favorite things was watching her watch the Eagles win the Super Bowl. The best thing is that she is passionate about more than football. She is also passionate about her friends. She prays with us. She asks us how we are. She is always intentional in her relationships. It has been an honor to walk alongside her the first four months. I’m going to miss her dearly and am so so thankful for who she is.

AJ – AJ loves to love. She likes hugs, the eagles, and hiking. She is my first friend on the race and I will never forget how every night at training camp she came to my tent to pray with me before bed. I remember being so blown away by how bold and courageous of a woman she is to not be afraid or ashamed in any way of who God has called her to be. AJ is our prayer warrior. You can always catch her either in the word praying over someone or talking about what the Lord is doing in her life. She is like a walking Bible. She is constantly speaking life over others and herself. She is ready at any moment to encourage another. She also relies on the Holy Spirit to guide and lead her steps. She is a Woman of wisdom, honor, and grace.

 

We love you so much AJ!

 

Love,

 

Alyssa, Shelby, Candace, Caley, and Amber