In my post-training camp blog, I briefly introduced my wonderful team. Well, I just want you all to get a better picture of the beautiful souls I have the honor of working with for the next 11 months!
We sat in a circle with a picture we were given in each of our hands. We couldn’t show anyone what picture we had. We were told to put them in order, and that was the only instructions we were given. We mutually decided to each share in detail what our picture was of. We did that and were almost through the entire group when it clicked in a couple of our minds what was going on and what we were putting in order.
Perspective. Someone had an aerial view picture, and then the pictures gradually kept zooming in. Less than 10 minutes in, we had figured it out – as a team. Our first accomplishment as a team was done. I really liked that activity because it showed how we would work together and there were some things that stood out to me.
First, we are so patient with one another. We each shared what we had and when that person was completely done sharing, we would move on. No one was talking over each other and everyone was being heard. It was so…chill. Sometimes there was a period of silence, but no one jumped in to fill it. We just sat, existed, together. There was such a peace with this group that I can’t put into words. I couldn’t help but smile and rock even harder in the rocking chair I was in on the front porch of the lodge. I’m trying to think of another time where I felt this way. I can’t even think of one! There was something about it that I would relive over and over. The cool thing is, I get to, for 11 months, relive that moment over and over again.
We have got some serious joy amongst us. I cannot wait for all the laughter that will be with us in the next 11 months. We can accomplish things together, but we also know how to sit back and be joyful in the presence of the Lord. How cool is that, y’all? I had a vision of us sitting around a picnic table sharing a meal and just laughing, loving every last second of life. I can’t wait for the hardship and the joy that this team will bring to my life throughout this journey.
Some of my team at Starbucks during our first time to bond.
We challenge each other. I feel this group is not going to be afraid to lovingly challenge one another in our walk with Christ. I have already seen that since I’ve been back. We see times of struggle and challenge each other with Scripture, truth and encouragement. I am excited to see how this plays out on the field.
Our team’s humble soul of a leader, Liz.
We really love each other like a family that could never be broken. I get a text or snapchat from at least one person from my team everyday. I love that. Personally, I am always thinking about them and praying for them. I am in prayer for this year and for the time until launch. I love them so much and I feel so loved by them. It’s something pretty special and extraordinary that I’ve entered into. I feel so blessed.
My teammate, Emily, and I before squad wars.
So, why the name Flood Sisters? Well, simply put we have had a cool connection to water. When we were in our last team formation activity one of the leaders guiding us, Vanessa, shared with us a verse that came to mind when she thought of us. It was Psalm 93. In Psalm 93:3-4 it mentions how the Lord is mightier and higher than the water. God is bigger than the chaos of a flood. When we were officially given our team, Vanessa prayed over us…and it started raining. We have seen water as a theme so far and we are ready flood the world with God’s love!
Going into training I was absolutely set on having a coed team. In fact, I asked an uncountable number of people to pray that I ended up on a coed team. I always followed that request with a reminder that God is good and ultimately I will be happy no matter what, but I still prefer a coed team over a team of all women. Why? Well, to me, women are just full of drama. I don’t do drama. So, I was fearful of ending up on a team of all women and having a year packed with petty drama. While I do have a few wonderful friends currently, I also felt that many women couldn’t be trusted. I’ve learned over time through different experiences that most women just aren’t trustworthy.
Training camp really renewed my view of women. I got to see a better, trusting side of women. The women on my squad came alongside me, lifted me up and encouraged me with God’s truth, every single day, multiple times a day. I started seeing the light of Jesus pouring out of these women like I’ve never seen before. They didn’t just care out of obligation; they cared genuinely, because they wanted to.
Alrighty folks, I’ll wrap up with a full circle back to perspective. Our squad leaders, mentors, coaches and leadership team prayerfully put these teams together. It is not a group of women that I would have thought to put together but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I can only see what is right in front of me with my vague earthly perspective. God has a bird’s eye view and knows what’s up. He really led our leaders well in forming these teams. Our personalities are all over the board, yet it works. We are all broken, but our brokenness beautifully fits together like a perfect puzzle made by a perfect Creator. I’m still in awe that I got handpicked by God to get to work with this wonderful group. We will have our challenges, but I truly believe that nothing can get in the way of what God is going to do through us on the World Race.
“Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” -1 John 3:9
UPDATE: I have 3 more weeks of my internship and I’m transitioning back into my mom’s house. I’m getting things done everyday and finally feeling like that never-ending list of things to get done is shrinking, slowly but surely. I am only a few hundred dollars from my support goal! It is not too late to donate! My deadlines are coming up and I want to have it all said and done before I launch on September 6th. Click “Support Me” and donate online really fast! Or if that’s not your preference, cash and check are still accepted; contact me for more information on that. THANK YOU AGAIN to all of my current supporters. You’re a part of this journey as much as I am and I’m happy to have you!
PRAYER REQUEST: Time feels scarce right now. Join me in prayer to make good use of the time God gives. Pray for peace instead of anxiety for my to-do list. Pray for my squad and for my team: unity, fundraising and their personal walk with God.
Much love,
Brittany
