This is my team. They are so beautiful inside and out. I am so excited to be able to travel with them for 9 months, grow with them, learn from them, cry with them, be vulnerable with them, love on them, and serve with them. At training camp, I was able to meet each and every one of these wonderful women and I just knew from there that God had big plans for our group. He hand-picked each of us and put us together because He knew what each of us needed to grow. I am so stinkin’ ready for these 9 months because God has given me a team that longs to see each other succeed and grow.
At training camp, we were all given the task of finding a team name. I. LOVE. OUR. NAME. It has SO much meaning to us. One of my teammates, Grace, had such a cool vision about it and we were all in agreement that it HAD to be our team name! The vision that God gave her was a dark city with absolutely no lights besides one. The light was on a “NOW SHOWING” sign (like at a movie theater). It was so bright. The “NOW SHOWING” sign said N’SYNC and then had our names scrolling. She said God gave her this vision; that we were going to bring such a bright light to the darkest places in the world. Not alone, though. We were going to bring the light together. With God above all. I got chills when I heard this vision. It was so cool to see the message that God gave Grace for our group.
So, yes, our team name is N’SYNC! I cannot wait for God to use my team in such a way that people see His bright light shining through us to the ends of the earth.
These women are beyond amazing and each of them have different personalities to bring to the group.
Taylor, our fearless squad leader. I love this woman. She is so bold and obedient to Christ and shows that obedience through her fierce love to those around her. On one of the first few nights, during worship, I was sitting down and praying to God. I was so overwhelmed. God was teaching me so much in such a short time. I was learning to overcome fear and to not compare my walk with Christ with others around me. I was especially praying to God at this time about feeling connected and wanting to be pursued by the squad. I really wanted to find my place. I watched a tear drop on the page I was journaling on and then all of a sudden, I felt someone put their hands on my shoulders. I was crying and she starting rocking with me and praying into my ear. The worship was so loud and I was just focused on what she was saying. At this time, I didn’t even know it was Taylor praying for me. I found out later when I shared with my team what God was saying to me that night. Taylor prayed for me and told me that God told her to tell me that I am a genuine friend and that people will pursue me. God told her to tell me what I wouldn’t listen to directly from Him. God knows how to get my attention and if Taylor wasn’t as obedient to Christ, I may not have connected so much with my squad that week. Taylor really cares for people. One morning at session, she was sitting next to me and then moved a few rows forward. I didn’t think anything of it, however, afterward, she came to me and said, “I am so sorry I moved my chair up this morning. I didn’t realize that could have hurt you. I just want you to know that you are valued and loved and I am so sorry.” I honestly didn’t even think twice about it. But, she still came to me and told me I was valued and wanted and that she didn’t mean to do that. Have I told you yet that I love this woman? Well I do. And I cannot wait to learn from her during these 9 months.
Abigail, our wonderful team leader. Oh my goodness, this woman is so loving and encouraging. I loved learning from her during training camp. One day during session, we were told to draw a picture of how we see God. I wasn’t really aware of how to do this. I drew a picture of God, on the throne, and everyone at His feet honoring Him. When Abigail shared, she gave me chills because of how much God was teaching her and teaching us through one picture. She shared that God gave her a vision of a hike through the mountains. Somewhere in the mountains, there was a cabin tucked away. This cabin was our safe place with God. However, in order to get into it, we need a key. She said she didn’t quite know what that meant for her yet, but it was SO cool to me to see what God told her through a vision. That is one of the many things I love about her; she is very good at listening to God’s voice. Also, during our fitness hike, when everyone was so scared of how difficult it would be, she hiked with my team and I and motivated us through it all. She was such a encouragement to me at that time, when I really didn’t want to do it. She gave me the peace and confidence I needed to finish the hike. I love this woman and cannot wait to spend some time on the World Race Gap Year with her!
Grace, a prayer warrior and a genuine friend. I love Grace. She is so wise and so encouraging. I remember one day, when our squad coach was taking a picture of me (which I dislike pictures on the spot), she said, “Gabby, you are so pretty.” That meant so much to me because I don’t believe that about myself sometimes. Grace is so genuine and so loving. She never fails to make someone feel like they are so overwhelmingly welcome and loved and cared for. She carries a peace that is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. AND, she really listens to the voice of God in her life. During worship, I would see her praying for people and it almost brought tears to my eyes thinking about how impacted the world has been and will be from this obedient and loving woman. Not to mention, Grace is SO lively. She makes EVERYONE laugh at all times. I can see Grace bringing our group together during hard times with laughter and joy. I love Grace and I cannot wait to learn from such a wise woman of God.
Victoria, a bright spirit and prayer warrior. This smile you see here is SO genuine. Victoria always brought the peace and love of God into every situation. I felt so much love and acceptance from her. She is such a wise woman who listens to God with patience. She brings out the best in everyone and prays bold prayers on behalf of others. One night when our squad was gathered together, she started the coolest prayer. Our squad all prayed for each other and for our friends and families at the same time. It was a loud burst of prayer that was SO beautiful. At that moment, I knew God was going to use our squad prayerfully to bring others to Himself. All of this because a wise woman was willing to speak out what God was telling her to do.
Shelby, an encourager, friend, and listener. Shelby led a devotion one morning about comparison and I was so impacted by it. She read in Nehemiah about building the wall and how if everyone was too busy worrying about how others were doing with their part of the wall, the wall would not get done. Comparison was something I have been struggling with and it was made clear to me at training camp. Shelby is SO encouraging and strong. She doesn’t simply give up. She is so bold and so obedient. I love the way she talks to God in order to share with others what God is telling her. One day, when we were practicing prophetic prayer, Shelby was listening so intently to God’s voice and was able to relay clearly what God was telling her to say to others. AND, it made sense to them and moved them. She told me she saw a picture from God of a jar with all the words that God thinks about me and that He is ready to give me these words. Shelby is such a wise woman. I cannot wait to learn from her!!
Savanah, full of peace and wisdom and genuine love. Savanah is so loving and encouraging. She loves others well, just as Christ would. When I look back and think of Savanah, I see so much peace. She came to everything with authenticity. I remember one time when we were doing team building, she was so calm and helped us all get through the activity by putting herself out there and doing what needed to be done. She is persistent and wants to see people succeed. I love Savanah and cannot wait to learn from her and grow with her.
Sarah, a hilarious, inclusive, and strong woman. Sarah is for sure going to be the one who brings our group together with humor. I love Sarah! She was so much fun during training camp. I was just starting to get to know everybody, but I feel like I am a lot like Sarah. In my friend groups here, I am always trying to bring humor into every situation. So, when I was still holding back a little from how I am with my friends at home, I felt so drawn to be who I am because of the liveliness of Sarah. Sarah brings out the best in everyone. She talks to everyone and makes sure everyone feels welcome and loved. I cannot wait to learn from her and to laugh with her. She is such a wonderful woman!
Cara, an encourager, lover, and authentic soul. I connected most with Cara at training camp. I was able to spend lots of time with her during sessions and at meal times. One time, we were doing an activity out on the dining patio for sessions and I got to spend time with her. She brought me out of my comfort zone by allowing me to feel like I can be myself. I laughed so much during that time and I felt like I was exactly where I needed to be because of how welcome she made me feel. Cara is such a wise woman who really dives into everything with perseverance. I cannot wait to hang out with Cara and to learn from her for 9 whole months! God has blessed me so much with a friend like Cara. I love Cara!
That is team N’SYNC. I love them so much. So much joy within our group. I seriously cannot believe how much love I already feel and it was only 10 days that I got to spend with them. I see 9 months of love and growth and joy and then I see us being livelong friends. God is so good to bring us all together, as different as we are, and connect us to each other SO WELL. God, thank you for these women. Thank you for considering who you made me to be and finding women who will bring me closer to that everyday. Love you all and I CANNOT wait to bring such a fierce light to the nations.
Much love, Gabs
