God has unexpected changes for us in mind that we don’t understand at the time but as time passes they become more clear. One of these for me was saying goodbye to team City Lights, and hello to my new team Abundent Life.
At the begining of our 4th month on the World Race our squad had a mini debrief in Bucherest, Romania. One the first day we found out that all the teams were being switched up. I was given an envelope with the names of my new teamates in it and I sat outside praying before I opened it.
I LOVE my City Lights family, Jake, Robby, Leah, Rachel, Kendra and Stacey, and was not happy to have to let them go. We’d been through so much the first 3 months of the race.
But God knows my growth better then I do and as I sat on the front steps of our debrief house I surrendered it all to God. My feelings, my tears, my confusion, and my plans.
I then opened the envelope to find 5 names… five GIRLS names…. WHAT?! Are you freakin crazy God?!!!?? A girls team???? This had to be one of my worst nightmares….
I cried… I mean what else do you do in this situation? (and I am NOT a person to cry…)
I then prayed again, surrendering it all… again.
I then went in to meet my new team with tears in my eyes and what I saw were beautiful women of God who were in the same boat I was in, thinking some of the same thoughts.
We talked and laughed a little but they were kind enough to just let me grieve the lose of my familier family and journey into the unknown with these women I’ve hardly talked to.
Over that day we went out and made a memory. We headed to the mall, via maxi taxi, subway train and trolley, and went to Starbucks. (PRAISE GOD FOR STARBUCKS)
I sat there with my venti mocha and let these girls into my world. We ate, talked and laughed.
The next day was a squad day and during worship I cried and cried, again. Leah (from my old family) came over and held me as I cried. Then as if it was a ceremonial passing she got up and walked away and Megan, my new teamate came over and held me.
I allowed God to take control and relax, surprising myself on how much I quickly bonded with these girls. Then the next day, the last day of mini debrief, we all gathered in a small room and prayed over a squadmate. I was astounded at how the women around me prayed and prophesyed over her. It was like I was home, with people who prayed like I prayed. I swear I really think I drooled I was in so much shock.
That’s when I understood the plan God had for me in this new team, this new family.
So here we are a month later, they are an answer to pray and an amazing support system.
So please join me in welcoming my new team, my new family….
ABUNDENT L.I.F.E.
KAYLA- OUR TEAM LEADER- blue sweater holding flowers
AUBRIE- the very top, cream sweater/scarf
MEGAN-black jacket with flowers
SHAWNDELL- bending down, black hat/jacket, blue shirt
CHRISTY- pink shirt in the middle
