It has been a few weeks, now, since I have had to say goodbye to my first team. In fact, we are nearly heading out of Myanmar month 5 already. Yikes. I have put off writing a mushy blog to my dearest little teamies, until now. Ex-teamies? I hate saying those words. But they are true, and remember I am learning how to properly see things through to the end. So, my dears..here’s to you.
It has been a privilege and an honor to adventure with you through the first four months of this wild year.
We began in Côte d’Ivoire: where we had less than in any other living situation thereafter. All six of us were constant companions. I mean truly CONSTANT-24/7-every-single-moment sort of companions, as we learned to maneuver through giant cockroaches, and acquire the lungs needed to breath in dust instead of air; and it was all SUCH a blast with the lessons learned, the belly laughs and songs and constant interviews conducted, the friends that were made. —our favorite month to reminisce, and I think it is because we truly worked as a team: to grow towards Jesus and to have fun living our lives while doing so!
Lindsay: you are a Warrior. You stand up tall to fight for what is right. You plant your feet where you know your morals and compassion lie—which is making sure there is enough love to go around. Your heart is gentle, yet loves with such strength. You are flowers in spring, and sparkling bubbles in summer, golden leaves in fall, and hot cocoa in winter. A comfort, a friend, a laughter-filled soul seeker, a beauty-loving creative Linds.
Heather: you are a woman of such STRENGTH. You walk bravely through life and you truly speak up for what you believe in. You meet people and you learn their story nearly as soon as you’ve met them. You don’t just listen, you learn where they have come from and love them the more for it. You’re an artist, a nurturer, you search for growth, and your heart sings out to Jesus.
Hannah: Noble. Gentle. Respected. Full of Grace. Esther. You constantly grow closer to God each day, extremely aware of His plans for You, His guidance, His hand in yours. Obedience and faithfulness are your companions. You inspire and you are a fighter for all you believe in. Your roots are spreading and growing ever deeper still into your faith in God. And you are a dreamer.
Dre [adriana]: Bright-eyes. Life is filled with possibilities. You grab the day by its clouds and steer it where you want it to go! And when it leads you somewhere else, you excitedly see God’s hand in all things. You are an adventure-seeker. You are determined and you see things through. You are a woman of your word, and you love people so well!
Raina: darling dearest! A woman of many talents. You are a speaker [preacher Raina], so very wise, an active listener of God’s messages to you and to others, UNIQUE, beloved, freaking hilarious, adventurous, INTELLIGENT, partner in crime. You are a crazy-spirited beautiful tangle of sass!
My girls, you have filled my heart and taught me much about the lovely lenses you use to view life.
And despite what I said in the first bit about working on endings and stuff [eyerolling right now] I say, my darlings….
No matter how many other teammates I acquire, forever we will be a beautiful mix of ragamuffins bonded by the confusing and dreamy beginnings of a World Race adventure.
also shoutout to Alex, the Beloved Son on Team Beloved Daughters and Son. Best adventure buddy, and valuable member of the Rooftop Gang.
