Over the course of my time on the field I have blogged pretty regularly, most topics being about what I’ve learned since leaving home. Things from uncomforting my life, worship, joy and love, to a meet my team blog and a galentines blog.
But now I want to write about the one thing that has changed my heart completely since the 9 months of being on the field.
They are the people that have been by my side since the beginning, through all my growth, my revelations, my heartbreaks and struggles, and all the laughs and amazing adventures and memories.
So no, this isn’t a meet my team blog, but a these are my sisters blog, let me tell you about them! Going into the race we were supposed to be a team of 7, but somethings happened and 2 of our teammates didn’t launch with us.
We were down to 5, but a small intimate group of girls is refreshing to the soul. We were team Dynami for 4 months, but the Lord had bigger and better plans for us. At the beginning of Guatemala we had 2 more added to our team making us team SOL. From the start we were a team, but it always felt like something (or some people) were missing. God knew and here we are, finishing the race and I have 6 new sisters I will forever have.
So let me tell you a little bit about my sisters (Kyrs I hope you’re ready for 6 new little sisters because they are the best!)
I’ll start with Ash.
Ash is the oldest of us all and our team leader. She is also the funniest one of us all, and can get us all dying of laughter (and pee our pants occasionally). Ashley loves deeply and desires relationship with all of us in such a way that she is very intentional about hearing and listening to us. She is also overflowing with wisdom and knowledge but is completely wrapped in humility that is so subtle. She is also a boss and would kick anyones butt that hurt one of us, definitely a big sister in that way. Ashley has a relationship with Jesus that is so dedicated to growth and desires that in every aspect of her life.
Next I’ll introduce Julia.
Jules is the momma bear (yes I’m officially giving up my title to her). She is my shopping and cooking bud and I have such a love for her. Who knew that in Honduras when we were elbow deep in mac and cheese for the Christmas feast would be a foreshadowing to our 3 months in Africa cooking together. Jules was added to our team late in the game, but the love I have for her seems like she had always been on our team. She does such a good job at taking good care of each of us and does it without ever complaining. She has a service spirit and in the 5 months of being on a team I can see such a growth in her since she we became sisters.
Now, Lex.
Lex is such a fun, kind, charismatic, and adventurous soul. She has a love for the Lord that is unlike anything I’ve seen in my lifetime. She brings sunshine and happiness into any room and has been such an amazing friend and sister to me. She is the voice of reason when I am unsure or wrestling with something, but she always challenges me to take the dream-filled, outrageous, crazy road sometimes too. Lex and I have had many snuggle sessions, deep Jesus talks, advice/wisdom seeking talks, TONS of pictures together, and lots of laughs. Lex loves others the way Jesus does and continually seeks for people to share the Love of Jesus to.
Skimmy!!! Aka Shimery aka Em aka Emry you’re next!
Em has the most nicknames of the team and to go with all the names, has such a personality. She is continually seeking growth and I have seen such a shift in her since month 1 of the race. Our first times together as a team Em and I were very much the introverts, no touching, and very similar. But now we are still introverts (but much better about quality time), she has allowed our team to touch her in the form of a hug occasionally. Don’t worry, we are still pretty similar, but I have seen Em step out in boldness in her faith, who she is, and things she wants. Watch out New Braunfels, Shimmy (another name) is coming home different then when she left.
Second to last, Sar.
Sar was another addition to our original team, but I can’t image going through the last half of the race without her. She has become such a good friend and sweet sister to me. Through her I feel Jesus so heavily. Sar is the most generous person you’ll meet and would lay her life down or give you anything you needed. Sar and I have many things in our past that allow me to connect with her in a way I haven’t been able to do with someone. Her love for Jesus is so sweet, so personal, and so intimate and because of her I have a new desire for a deeper relationship with the Lord. Take care of her Miriam, she’s a goodie.
Last, but surely not least, Tal.
Tal is such a kind, gentle, sweet friend. Her heart truly reflects the Lord and I believe she see’s and understand’s things, people, and Jesus in the purest ways. Tal is a servant to our team and goes above and beyond to love and serve each of us. She has a love for Jesus that is inspiring and will do and is doing anything the Lord asks of her. One of them being, going back out on the field in a couple months to serve other teams doing a Gap Year with Adventures. Not many people I know and have spoken to would redo the first couple months of their race, but the Lord asked and Taley does. She is a sweet friend who I will cherish forever.
I thank the Lord for these girls everyday, and it breaks my heart to think of not living and doing life with them daily. But even though we will all be in different states all across the country I know that they will ALWAYS be my sisters. And I know I can look forward to our many reunions, get togethers, vacations, and adventures in the future.
I know I’ve explained them each to you, but I wish I could transfer the feelings and love I have for them so that you all could know through my emotions rather than just my words.
As the final month of the race is here and the finish line is getting nearer each day I just lift these women of God up in prayer. Thank you Lord for each of them and their unique, funky, spunk, and humor they each bring to team SOL. Thank you for entrusting them to be on a team with me and allow me to have the best 9 months with them by my side. I pray that as we finish strong we would never forget the times we spent together and that we would remember the 6 other sisters we have forever.
