It is official. Joholo is no more 🙁 Sad day in the hostel. In Bulgaria before we go to the Middle East. We were brought here as a team building weekend, but soon realized it was more of a team shake up. Coming into it I knew who the new squad leaders were going to be and thought that Joholo might just lose a person. That’s when my plan and idea was shot down and God’s plan started to reveal itself. Brian, an original squad leader, pulled me into a room on Saturday and told me he would like me to step down as a team leader. He said it might not mean that another Joholo rises up but I will no longer be the leader. I thought it would be a good idea since lately Erin has been saying she would like me to spend more quality time with her and I had been feeling a little thin bouncing between team leader and husband. It’s not that our marriage is hurting, we are failing or something bad will happen if I don’t step down, just at this time this is what needs to happen. To be a great leader you must be a follower at times too. I saw Grant had a meeting with Brian Saturday too, so I figured he would rise up and Erin and I would go to the team that was losing their leader because he was becoming a squad leader. Everyone was very anxious on Saturday to hear the new teams. They had us do a “race day” which turned out really cool; a scavenger hunt around Sofia. I think it was more of a last great memory opportunity for all the teams. Tension within our team later that night was pretty high. We all knew something was going to happen but didn’t know what or even when. We decided to celebrate Joholo style and go have some fun out on the town. We shared one last dinner, said our favorite time in the past three months and prayed over each other.
I didn’t know it was going to be so hard for me to give up being leader. It was hard to get into the position I “was ” in with Joholo but I think I had finally found that place between fellow racer and leader of the greatest team the WR had ever seen. We all had gained great ground this last month. Everyone was coming into their own during feedback and most of all we were having so much fun everyday as Joholo. 🙂 Days of a Joho were easy. That’s why today happened. God want us to have joy in our lives but if life is always easy and there is no change then there is no learning and growth. To God, this is more important then just having an easy day.
The time had come. The squad leaders were announced and then prayed over. Next came the team leaders who were also prayed over. I was the only one that wasn’t still a leader, either team or squad. I think this is when it really hit me. But remember change is a good thing, right? Teams were announced. My new team is as follows; Paul Iwanaga as our new leader, Lauren Williamson, Ashley Higgins, Stacie Povian, and Heather Reed. I was first sad that this was going to be my new team but my very next thought went back to training camp. I remembered I didn’t know Joholo once upon a time. I may not know who my new team will become but I do know this team was chosen by God and all things God has had a hand in are good. I am excited to get to know my new team and create memories and favorite times together.
Grant, April, and Julia are still together with Grant as their leader. David is the in a team with Katie West as his new leader. Drea is on the new all girls team with Hollis Johnson as a new leader. Tamica Sloan, Mike and Denise Murphy are our new squad leaders. All together we are still the “K” squad, the greatest squad the World Race has ever seen.
