I have had the honor of spending the past 4 months with the team, Vessels of Joy. When we first met, we knew our purpose was to love others and spread love to everyone we come in contact with. Not only have I watched these girls bringing joy to others, but they have also brought so much joy to my life.
Our squad is gathering in Nelspruit, South Africa and for the first time on the race we will have team changes. Which means the 5 girls that I have spent all my days and nights with for the past 4 months may or may not be will me on the next team. It’s a beautiful, exciting, yet sad time.
Gosh, here is just a little bit of what they’ve brought to my life the past 4 months.
Hannah:
You could sit and listen to her sing for hours. She uses the voice that God gave her to sing to the heavens. My goodness, she will find all those small habits that you don’t realize you do all the time and point them out to you. She is very intentional about observing others and listening, it’s incredible. You will thoroughly enjoy her laugh and the joy she spreads. She follows her passions with all her heart. Embrace her and love her.
Cae:
My dear leader, talk about someone who cares about those around her. She’s loyal. She will wrap you up and treat you like family. And just as the head of the house does, she goes and gets things done. She recognizes when times stray away from their intended purpose and calls us back together. You will also learn she has these random skills and sometimes just pulls them out of nowhere. BUT OO cooking, let her cook, you won’t regret it.
Jeorgi:
Ohhh, baby, Jeorgi will do nothing but call you higher and challenge you and it is absolutely incredible. I have never met someone who is more intentional with getting to know people for their hearts. She is understanding of everyone’s perspective and is able to make you aware when your actions don’t necessarily line up with their intent. You can tell by the way she speaks how in tune with the Holy Spirit she is, and it just overflows with love to all those around.
Syd:
If you want things done, give her a to-do list, and check back in with her in an hour and it’ll be done. This girl gets things done. When she isn’t running in circles, she is either nose deep in her bible or somewhere away with kids and sometimes we don’t even. Goodness, she has such a heart to serve and love others. If you’re in the car, give her the window seat and she’ll be occupied for hours. Every stranger is greeted with a smile and a hello. I swear she can make a conversation with anybody.
Amanda:
My fellow midwestern, oof shes a good one. She is so intelligent and I could listen to her talk about her passions for hours. She just has this calmness to her when she speaks. She has incredible things to say; whether is a story from the bible or a short one-liner that’ll come out of nowhere. Not only that but she listens and she listens well. She is so selfless and is willing to help others at all times. She kicks any obstacles to the wall and is determined to start what she finished.
My goodness, I hope things girls bring as much joy to your life as they did to mine. Hug them and squeeze them tight for me. I’m not the same person I was when we first met and I am so excited for you to get to know them in the same way I did.
To my teammate’s next team, you are in some wonderful months.
(Pictured left to right: Sydney, Brynna, Cae, Hannah, Amanda, Jeorgi.
