Currently in: Viet Nam
Ch-chh-chaanges MIGHT be coming up next week, so I think it’s appropriate to tell you about my team. Team Eklektos. It means to be chosen. Sent by God.
Here’s the deal: When we were placed together as a team last October, we were hesitant at the thought of it. I didn’t really talk to any of them at training camp, so they were pretty much strangers. I remember shouting to the trainers that I trusted their decision as they walked away to finalize teams. No matter how uncomfortable it made me feel at the moment, I knew that God was going to place me in a team that would challenge and help me grow in the areas I needed to grow in.
The trainers who put us together saw something the rest of us didn’t as we quickly pieced together a puzzle as the final exercise for team formations. But really though, I thought it was the stupidest way to put a team together as we barely spent five minutes talking to one another.
We started off with that conflict–hesitant to be there in that team, and it ultimately made us stronger. However, I’ve learned that growth isn’t imminent through conflict. It can drive people away or bring them together. It depends if somebody is willing.
Willing to be vulnerable.
Willing to listen.
Willing to change.
Willing to admit flaws.
Willing to be humbled.
Willing to invest.
Willing to have hard conversations.
And this has to come from EVERY SINGLE PERSON. If there’s even one stubborn person who always thinks that they are right and won’t listen to others, that can easily drive a wedge in community. If there’s one person who refuses to invest in community and does their own thing all the time, then there won’t be enough trust for healthy feedback. If there’s one person who chooses to be ungrateful and in a bad mood all the time, that attitude will affect the surrounding people. Living in community is really what you make of it. How willing you are to jump.
And I am so glad that my team is all in. It’s not easy and we are constantly working on it but I can see how open their hearts are. I’m incredibly thankful for that every single day. How willing they are to be molded to becoming the version of themselves that God wants them to be. We are all in different places in our walk with Him but we are willing.
Without further ado, these are the beautiful, hilarious, sassy, sweet ladies I do life with. We are vastly different but I’m grateful that God forced us together. I don’t know if the next few days will be our last as a team but know full well the amount of laughter and growth I’ve experienced by living with them.
Our team leader, Chelsea, loves deeply, cries more than I’ve ever seen anybody cry, and speaks with a gentleness that shows the gift of compassion that God has given her. I’m not surprised she was a nurse before the race and am happy she could put those skillz to use during these last few months. She also loves cucumbers, corgis, and talking about the state of Texas.
Ariana has the true heart of a servant and loves through the effortless way she serves. Her sass brings so much personality and flair to our team. She also proudly owns two pigs, randomly sings in public, and loves to eat everything under the sun.
Christina fearlessly tackles everything in front of her. Her boldness in following the Lord is amazing. She cares deeply about the people around her and has a way of always being able to communicate with people no matter where we are in the world. She also cries at the thought of cinemas, eats mangoes like it’s nobody’s business, and thrives through chaos.
Karen has the joy of the Lord, and it’s infectious. She can easily lighten up an entire room with her constant praise, laughter, and joy. She has an uncanny ability to connect with people and share the wisdom God has given her. She also loves grammar, waking up in the mornings, and has the ambitious goal to hold every type of nonpoisonous snake in the world.
Mary has the biggest heart for the people she comes in contact with. Her walls come down, and she is not afraid of giving it her all. She is completely open and blunt in expressing what’s up, never afraid to sit in her wrongness and be wrong, and continuously seeks to grow in Him. Nothing makes her happier than hugs and cuddles. She also loves smacking…people in the goozle and getting new tattoos every other week.
THIS IS WHO I AM. One who sits in details…details in things and details in people. I see them for who they are, not just another person on the street. I have immense grace and patience (that’s often tested, I’ve learned) and try to be as positive as I can in every aspect and situation in life. I also love cheesy puns, playing soccer every opportunity I get, and eating all the durian I can afford.
Okay, if you know any of us at all, there’s at least one thing completely wrong at the end of each description. Bonus points (and less of a chance of getting punched in the face or being told to have several seats because you’re being extra) if you can accurately guess what’s not true 😉
