*Cue the sappy going away blog*
I couldn’t leave for the race without donating a whole post to two of the most amazing people I have ever met. These two women of God have endlessly poured into me for a little over a year now. They’ve helped me through one of the lowest valleys of my life, and they’ve celebrated with me on the mountain top. I owe a lot of who I am now as a Christian and my boldness to step into World Race to their obedience to the Lord to take me under their wings. These two, Laura Pickett and Rachel Maurer, I just want to say thank you.
First off, Laura. I joined your small group pretty late and it took some adjusting joining a group that was already close, but you not once made me feel unwelcome. You were the first person that saw a creative side in me, despite me defining myself as “uncreative” all my life. I remember there was one CK that Kaitlin was commenting on my journalling and I just responded with a laugh and said “haha, no this is not artistic – I’m not creative.” and you gave it to me straight and said “Amy. Take a compliment. You’re artistic. Just accept it and say thank you.” Yikes. I needed some ice on that burn.
I think my favorite quality of you is that you’re so observant. As with the creativity, you identified my strengths and (sometimes forcibly in the form of requiring I pray aloud lol) didn’t stop until I believed them to be true. You recognized my lack of confidence, but never once let me stay there. From the very beginning, you saw me as a leader. From the very beginning, you saw me as curious and saw my desire and thirst to dig deeper and gave me so many opportunities to do just that. From the very beginning you saw me as worthy and bold and qualified.
You were the first person I sought when I hit my low because you were available and just SO welcoming with open arms. You shared with me a really personal part of your story, and though I said thank you, I don’t think I ever really effectively communicated just how much it truly meant for you to trust me with that.
I am really, really, indescribably, proud of you and how strong you are and how well you love and how passionate you are about the people close to you. Love Church gained the best person ever when they hired you. I wish you knew how much I’ll miss you. I love you a whole lot. Thank you for letting me sleep at your house whenever and believing in me and now sending me. I can’t wait to watch MWDT dominate nationals in a few short months 🙂
Now, Rachel. I probably will never understand how you put up with all of my high school and boy drama for a whole year. (PS to anyone still in high school reading this, no the dreaded drama does not stop) There was one time that, I’m pretty sure you were finally over it at this point, but I was arguing with you about why I clearly had a right to go to some party and you pulled a TOTAL mom card and said “you’re not 21 so we are done discussing this”. I don’t know if my jaw actually dropped or if that was just in my head, but as much as I REALLY did not like you in that moment, I needed that lil bit of a slap in the face to see how ridiculous I was sounding. (Side note: because of that I did NOT go to the party and Her House had a game night instead, so praise God for that victory #amiright)
Where Laura channelled my inner peace and creative side, you ignited my fiery side. You have a passion for the Lord like none other and I am so thankful that you invited me into a piece of that. You reminded me everyday that I am bold, and to actually act like it. You taught me to seek until I find. You told me to go. change. the. world. You taught me how to hear from the Lord and to speak and act and listen when I do.
I am SO glad you have the gift of teaching because I love being your student. I love your random nerdy God analogies because you know that’s how I get it. I love that you encourage my endless philosophical God questions, even if its 11 o’clock at night and I can’t sleep because I just don’t understand the Old Testament. I love that you don’t let me settle for anything less than God’s best. I love that you’ve always pointed back to Jesus.
Rachel, I love your passion for your kids, and shadowing you last year gave me just a glimpse at how much they mean to you and wow you REALLY have a gift to teach. Thank you for giving me so much of your time, and even when its uncomfortable, fighting to make my heart look more like His. Blue Book was my favorite part of the week.
I love you both. Like a lot. You live out the Love Church Code: We Make Disciples Who Make Disciples so beautifully. You’re both incredible and I hope someday I have roommates just like you (and Liv because, I mean c’mon, its Olivia Herr and she’s a-m-a-z-i-n-g I love her way too much too). Thanks for making this year, not the best year because I don’t want to put a ceiling on God’s plan for my life, but a stepping stone year that changed the trajectory for what my life has in store. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for fighting for me. Thank you for sending me. I can’t wait to hear all about how you’re changing Omaha for His glory this year 🙂
I love you.
-Ames
P.S. Name a better trio. I’ll wait.
