(Forewarning: This one is long and it’s a doozy. But these people are important to me, so sorry I’m not sorry. You can turn back now if you want to.)
To my feisty, awesome, butt kickin’ team, Holy F.I.R.E.-
This is very difficult for me to write because as y’all very well know, expressing my feelings and anything mushy gushy is just about my least favorite thing in the world to do. But seeing as we are down to five members still on the Race and the day is approaching when the rest of us may potentially be split up, the Lord has put each and every one of you on my heart and I really just want to tell y’all how stinkin’ much you mean to me. Maybe I’m a big pansy because I wrote it instead of saying it out loud, but I’m willing to accept that. At least I’m getting this out there; I’m sure you’re aware how huge of a step it is for me.
Let’s take a second and rewind to Hong Kong. Our teams were changed and the seven of us were thrown together without even really knowing each other at all, other than the teammate or two who had made the switch with us. Half of us spent the better part of our first night together as a team crying over past teams or teammates, or doing our best to hold back the tears. We were seven individuals with seven different backgrounds, seven different experiences, and seven different opinions on just about any topic under the sun. Honestly, I was kind of worried.
Then somewhere along the way, we became friends. Then somewhere else along the way, maybe between INSANELY crowded trains, putting each other in the hot seat, throwing Christmas parties, sweating profusely, shopping, nursing mosquito bitten faces and lice-infested hair, playing with kids, taking care of the sick, praying for hundreds of people, peeing in places we won’t even mention, and seeking the face of Christ, we became a team. And finally, somehow, we became a family. It wasn’t pushed. It wasn’t forced. It wasn’t fake. It really wasn’t what I expected. I don’t know when or where it happened, but it did and it was real. I’m thankful to the Lord every day for the work He did in the seven of us, a dang unlikely group of people to form the bond that we have.
We don’t always see eye-to-eye. We don’t always love each other the best we can. We don’t always get it right. Sometimes we hurt each other. Sometimes we make each other mad. Sometimes we bring out the worst in us. Sometimes we get on each others’ last nerve and have to restrain ourselves from poppin’ off on the next person who talks to us. But what’s more important than the things that we don’t do are the things that we do do (haha): We chase after God first and foremost. We cover everything in prayer and walk through life together, no matter how messy or ugly it is. We make the best of the hand that we’re dealt. We die to ourselves and put the Kingdom first. We bring out the best in each other. We ask questions, get to know each other, and learn how to love and serve better. We choose to be invested and committed. We challenge and learn from each other. We say, “yes” to the Lord’s work in and purpose for Holy F.I.R.E., as a team and as individuals.
I may not show it all the time or say it enough, but Alex, Liz, Angela, Abby, Imelda, and Isaac, I really love y’all more than I probably could ever say and each of you has played a pivotal role in the last 4+ months of my Race and of my life. I could go on forever about how each of you has impacted me, but for space and time’s sake, I’ll try and keep it as short as possible:
Alex-What a crazy ride we’ve had since July! I am so unbelievably thankful for the friendship that the Lord has given us and for the time that we’ve spent on the same team from training camp until now. You’ve taught me a ton about humility before God and about what close, healthy relationships look like with guys. I love that we can joke about anything or get caught up speaking in our fake accents or fight about sports (WVU!!) or make fun of each other, but we also know one another well enough to know when we just need to pray or speak into the other’s life. We have a really great balance of the two. I wish so badly that we could have finished the Race together, but I am SO proud of your obedience to God’s call on your life. You’re gonna be one heck of a doctor.
Liz-I love your constant hunger for more of God-more of His presence, more of His miracles, more of His wisdom and knowledge, more of His will to be done. It’s always more, more, more! I’ve learned so much from you about never being content with where I am in my walk, something I will definitely carry with me for my whole life. You are such a force to be reckoned with and I can’t wait to see how the Lord honors and blesses your desire for Him. I’m always so in admiration about how blatantly honest you are, standing up for your opinions even if you stand alone. Please always keep fighting for what you believe in and I know that you’ll have an amazing impact on the Kingdom, just as you so deeply desire.
Angela-You encourage and teach me every day with how hard and fully you seek the face of God. Seeing you in the Word in the morning, at night, and even throughout the day inspires me constantly to spend more time there too, knowing that you’re making all the effort you can to get excited about what you read in the Bible, something I struggle with as well. I love that you seek lessons from God in all that you do, even the littlest of things and that you can be one of the craziest people I know, but take your relationship with the Lord and your pursuit of Him very seriously. When you worship, you truly shake off the presence of others and fully bask in Him. I’m so thankful for you as my team leader!
Abby-If I could pick one word to describe you it would be selfless. You are constantly and proactively searching for opportunities to die to yourself and put others first, which is something that the Lord told me He was going to really grow me in during the Race, and I’m so grateful that He put such an incredible example of this in my life through you. It’s been so awesome to watch you grow bolder and bolder over the last few months, but I also so much value your wisdom in when to speak and when to be silent, which is something else He has been teaching me for months. Be confident in knowing that when you speak, your words really do have power. Oh, and I love having a girl on my team to talk about sports with, too. (:
Imelda-Oh sissy, I miss you so! I know I’ve told you this a million times but in the months we spent together I was just continuously in awe of your intimacy with God and your ability to hear from Him. You’re always, always, always looking for opportunities to pray for people or share the Gospel and to see the Lord at work, never hesitating in the slightest to act once He speaks to you. I love seeing the passion and love that God has given you for India–you really came alive there!–and I will definitely be waiting for updates on your plans to return there in the near future. Holy F.I.R.E. is just not complete without you, but I do hope you are enjoying life back in the states.
Isaac-Let me first say that I literally don’t think I’ve ever met anyone like you in my entire life (in a good way). You have such a unique view of the world and a unique view of God, which is always so refreshing to my soul! It doesn’t matter what we’re talking about, you always find a way to bring in a point or an idea that no one else had considered. I tend to be close-minded sometimes or have tunnel-vision about situations, especially if I feel strongly about it, and I love how much you have broadened my scope and so often challenge me with the way you spin the way I look at things. Maybe our friendship didn’t come SO naturally, but I’m thankful for how intentional we are with it and with each other. You really bless me!
So, Holy F.I.R.E., no matter how much I wish our time together wasn’t over, the fact stands that it is. The fate of the remaining five of us is unknown, whether we will be split up or not, but no matter what happens I will always hold our four months together near and dear to my heart and will always remember the things that the Lord taught me through y’all. I’ll never forget the tears, the laughter, the jokes, the madness, the pictures, the prayers, and the friendships.
I really love y’all. Thank you for everything (:
