To the Women of D-Squad,
You have redefined my views of Godly women.
You have done exceedingly more for me than many of you will ever know and I want to thank each of you.
As you read this know that I am speaking to all of my sisters but it is written personally to you.
You have shown me how to love this year. There was a time in my own life when I didn't even say "I love you" but more often I find it slipping off of my lips as I live in community with you. Since Training Camp, your words and most importantly actions have been showing me how to love my family and my friends. I am thankful to have you as my sister. You have taught me so much about how I am supposed to love my own sister, Candice, and the love and respect that she is due as a woman of Christ. I cannot express to you in any other way but with tears. Thank you. God has truly blessed my life with you, and I don't ever want to leave this community that I call home. Each one of your words press into my heart. When you came along side me to encourage me while I was discouraged, it meant more to me than you could ever know. I see how much you care. When you apologized to me for holding an offense against me it made me realize how much I love you. I see how you desire more. As your brother, I want you to know that your actions are noticed. Your passions are becoming my passions. When you challenged me with a hard word, I listened to every word. I wrote them in my journal to review them and apply them to my life. I wrote them down because your words are not meaningless, they are powerful breaths of fresh air that renew my soul. I want to tell you that I am sorry for not loving you better or being more consistent. Through authenticity, vulnerability and honor you have shattered the mold I was putting around my future wife. Thank you. I know that none of us are perfect and that is what I love about you. You aren't afraid to let things get messy in the moment, you aren't afraid to communicate the hard things and to fight through the awkwardness. You have chose not to retreat but instead to fight. You are incredible. Time and time again you pursue the brothers and sisters around you. When they are weak, it is you that steps up to give them strength and support. I notice the little things that you are doing and, just like Tony spoke about in Honduras, we have to appreciate each one of those little things. So I want you to know, I appreciate them. I appreciate the times you have cooked food for me, made me coffee or brought me cokes. I appreciate your amazing voice and beautiful singing. I appreciate your ability to comfort. I don't know if you realize how powerful that gift is in you. You are powerful. You have an amazing ability to provide the comfort that I have only received from my mom. And I really miss my mom this year, she is an amazing woman of Christ and I wouldn't be where I am today without her. I have seen her all around me in you. You might think its cheezy that I am talking about my mom right now, but I don't care I love my mom. She means more to me than the world. She loves me in my darkest places and in my brightest moments. That's what I have seen in you. Love. Continue to let that love radiate into those around you. I've seen you show to love to people who have never received love, and it is in those moments that I see Christ in you. You have this keen ability to show love and I am watching you, to learn from you. You are teaching me.
As this Race is a little bit of half way through I cannot wait for what God has in store for us. I know that our relationship is going to skyrocket because I am finally learning how to love you better. I am learning to meet you in the middle, learning what love languages to speak and realizing how meaningful you are in my life. I don't want you to just simply be a part of my life, I want you in my life. Thank you for being in my life. It will never be the same and it's simply because you are you. I love you sister.
I love you Mom. I love you Candice. I love you D-Squad women.
