Hello beautiful humans!! As promised, here is a formal introduction to the team of freaking awesome women I get to lead and do life with this fall: Team Sonrisa. I got to spend 10 dusty crusty days with them in the heat of GA and now I get to shout out some really sick ways I’ve seen the Lord in them!!
T E A M S O N R I S A
A R I A U N A : P E A C E
When I started getting to know Ariauna at training camp, I realized she carries this power to instantly put anxious hearts at peace just by her presence. She walks in consistency and certainty, even if her surroundings are incredibly inconsistent and uncertain. My favorite part, though, is that this power doesn’t come from apathy disguised as peace, but her peace comes from a heart that is deeply rooted in the character of Jesus and a life that has weathered many storms with Him at her side. So thankful to have a gal like her on my team, always holding calm in the storms that everyone else is freaking out in. Nothing but love for her.
C L A I R E : B E L O V E D
After one conversation with Claire, I could literally see and feel the Holy Spirit radiating off of her. She walks in this incredible joy that overflows from her relationship with the Lord. She is a natural leader and even more of a natural giver. One of my favorite parts of camp was watching Claire discovering how much deeper and unconditional Abba’s love for her was. Realizing that her identity actually doesn’t lie in what she can do for others or what she has to give away, but that instead it is unshakeably rooted in her Belovedness as a Daughter of the King. I love her a lot and am so pumped to watch this love overflow into the world.
L E X I : W H I M S Y
Lexi. I had the honor of hanging out and watercoloring with Lex one day. (Moment of truth: I am REALLY not artistic in comparison to most people who find joy in art. I really just mess around.) While we were hanging out, let’s just say my page started going downhill and I felt the urge to start over and trash what I had started SO BADLY. But Lexi INSISTED that I had to stick with what I started and make something out of it. Something I would usually never give myself the grace to do. She walks in this freedom of creativity and literally gives other people permission to walk in it too. She sees the beauty in people and life and refuses to give up until they see it themselves. Love her a lot for it. Side note: I ended up with a weird cactus at the end but was also proud of me for not giving up #success.
L E X I E : W H O L E
Lexie is straight up super wise. When she talks, people listen because they can hear the knowledge and perspective she carries. She is curious and asks hard questions because she has a hunger for the truth. While at training camp, the Lord began to give clear answers to Lexie’s questions, and she realized that she wanted to give everything to Him. I love her so!! Much!!! She got rebaptized and I had the honor of dunking her! The more we ask the Lord our hard questions, the more we know Him and have confidence in his character. He is filling in the gaps of Lexie where she hasn’t seen Him yet and making her WHOLE.
R O S I E : F R E E D O M
(Haha. I laugh at this picture because it’s probably so confusing to everyone else, but it was the only portrait I had of Rosie. If you’re curious, Rosie is wearing a blindfold because in this team building activity, her eyes were blinded by a swarm of bees.) Freedom was something the Lord started walking Y Squad through at training camp, but I ESPECIALLY saw it in Rosie. On day one, I saw a woman who was WAY out of her comfort zone (and not particularly fond of it). Throughout the week, the Lord challenged her, gave her new strength, gently spoke to her, and opened to her eyes to what He is doing. By day ten, I looked at her and saw a woman with such a willing spirit and a heart freed by the love of her Father. I love her literally so much. Seeing so much shift for her in one week makes me SO siked to see what the Lord does in her. Free, baby. Free indeed.
Z O Ë : W I L D
When I first met Zoë I assumed she was timid and mellow. My mistake. She is meek and she is steady, but this facet of her is rooted in this insane trust and friendship with the Lord, not her fear or lack of zeal. When she gets in the presence of the Lord, though, she is released in this beautiful, unashamed dance with the Lord. We get to be our truest selves in the presence of God. Zoë gives real meaning to a “cageless bird” and I love that she gets to set other people free with her wildness. She balances her zeal with steadiness so sweetly and I cannot wait to learn more from her. Love her a super lot.
As always, thank you thank you thank you guys for taking time out of yo day to read this. Thank you for all your prayers, kind words that you’ve sent me, and ways you’ve made me feel so so seen and loved and cared for. I have around $2,200 left to raise. I would LOVE to be fully funded before I leave the country. Please genuinely ask the Lord if financially supporting me is something He has for you. PLEASE call me if you have my number and want to know more or comment below! I would absolutely adore connecting with you. Seriously. I mean it.
In love and gratitude,
KT
