After leaving Nicaragua, the squad headed for the coast of Nicaragua to spend a few days in reflection, rest, and to debrief our time in Central America. We took conoe rides to an island just off the coast. We pitched our tents on the beach and settled into what I thought was going to be an uneventful couple of days.
On New Year's Day, Mike and Stacey met with me one on one, and invited me to become a team leader for the new team changes that would later take place. Though I should have been excited about this new opportunity, I was temporarily blinded by my sadness and anger for Beautiful Feet's inevitable liquidation. After pleading my case to Mike and Stacey as to why I believe Beautiful Feet should stay together, I eventually came to accept and honor the decisions that had been made. I said yes to the new challenge of leading a new team.
Later that night, as I sat on the beach alone, watching the stars and the ocean waves, I recieved some words that brought me peace about Beautiful Feet:
"They are not your own. No matter how much you want too, you can't have them all to yourself. You have to share them. Allow them to bless the others on this squad as they have bless you. I have so much more planned for them than what you can provide."
I had to let them go. I had to let the girls sneek someone else extra food at the dinner table and leave encouraging notes on someone else's my bed. I had to let Jake bring his relaxed and easy going spirit to another team.
Beautiful Feet, we had an incredible run! I love you all and wish you all the best! This is not goodbye because we'll always see each other within the squad. But I hope yall know how much yall blessed my life! Girls, got to see, everyday, what a woman of God looks, acts, and loves like. And Jake, I had a great time being brothers for 3 months! You taught me a lot on how to be a stron man of God!
The next day, we said our good byes and willingly stepped into what God had for each of us next.
And then, our new teams were announced! I truly am excited about this team! Honestly, it was a bitter sweet weekend at the beach: Bitter for Beautiful Feet's separation, but sweet because of the chance to lead some amazing people through Asia. "I will climb this mountain with my hands wide open!" -Will Reagon
Introducing my new team, The Plunge:
Paul & Katrina Annunziello: http://paulandkatrinaannunziello.theworldrace.org/index.asp?filename=bio
Emma Halstead: http://emmahalstead.theworldrace.org/?filename=bio
Kearston Armbrust: http://kearstonarmbrust.theworldrace.org/
Dan Lidwin: http://danlidwin.theworldrace.org/index.asp?filename=bio
We got to see some pretty awesome sunsets.
Our tents on the beach.
