I have a thing for letters lately… no problem. This month has been all squad month. This means that I spent four weeks living in one house with 50 other people. Those people are my family and today we break apart again to go to Thailand and it is hard.
Dear W Squad,
It’s about to get a little sappy in here so… if that’s not your thing then please turn back now.
I will be the first person to admit that I was NOT excited for all squad month. I am an introvert to the core and the thought of sharing a house with fifty people kind of made me want to die. This was escalated by the fact that sharing a house with 13 people the previous month was not at all easy. BUT you all blew me away with how incredible it really was.
I will let you in on another secret here, prior to this month I struggled to feel like I had a place in our squad. I wasn’t sure where I fit in or who I could spend my time with. So… the thought of trying to “find my place” for a whole month was also very unappealing. Talk about a blow to the self esteem, ya know? BUT AGAIN you all shot down my expectations and replaced them with a much better reality.
Over the course of this month I was able to laugh, cry, be irritated with, jump for joy, play games, and just BE with you all. I was able to build up relationships that make going into this next month hard.
W Squad, the way that you fearlessly pursue the Lord, worship at His feet, and drag the rest of us there with you when we can’t quite make it is truly inspiring. I have been challenged in my walk with the Lord countless times by each and every one of you. Sometimes through direct conversation, other times through the examples you set, and then sometimes through the wise teachings that you have imparted to the rest of us. My favorite thing about this squad is how we pursue truth. As we receive words, teachings, or anything even remotely spiritual you all take it to the Father and ask Him what He thinks. This is a level of spiritual maturity that I have never experienced in community. Thank you for not taking everything at face value. Thank you for thirsting to see the face of our Father in the clearest possible way.
W Squad, the way that you are always ready to have fun gives me life. This squad is adventurous and thrill-seeking (safely, of course). This is the joy of the Lord within you. From soccer games, to murder mysteries, to ministry everything is exciting with you all. Thank you for reminding me to choose joy every single day.
W Squad, the way that you care for one another is deeply moving. As many of us were hit with sickness, or as some of us were struggling in our faiths you were all there. I saw so many of you bound up the steps with a sprite in hand for someone who had been throwing up, or a lice comb to check a friend’s hair, or even better sitting with one another and pursuing the heart of our Creator. The love within this group of individuals is tangible and biblical. They will know we are Christians by our love.
I could go on forever about how awesome Wonder Church is, but basically all I need to say is that I have never been more grateful or more blessed by a community and I am so glad that the Lord chose me to be a part of it. I will be looking forward to our next debrief when we can all be together again. Y’all rock.
Love,
Kristen
