During these past 9 months I’ve grown more than I could have ever imagined. God has taken me to places I didn’t know existed and taught me how to become more like Him in the process. Over the past six months, specifically, he placed five women in my life that forever changed who I am. They challenged and pushed me, the loved and cared for me, and they taught me how to live for the Kingdom. And each one of them made me a better version of myself.
I learned how to serve.
Madison Cearley has a servants heart unlike anyone I’ve ever seen. This girl dies to herself on a daily basis to serve the people around her. From the littlest of things of filling water bottles randomly or serving everyone’s food to walking 10 miles in Malawi to buy our pastor a birthday cake, she lives to bring the joy of the Lord to those she does life with. She makes me think twice, she makes me look at things with a different set of lenses. And she makes me want to put others above myself, no matter the circumstance. Madison showed me what it’s like to seek the Lord and put His children first.
I learned to use my voice.
Tiffany Castro is bold. She is fierce. She walks in confidence that she is a daughter of the one true King. When Tiffany has an opinion she’ll say it and when she’s passionate about something you’ll hear about it. She can get a room full of people fired up about anything and everything in the most inspiring way. Living with her showed me that the Lord lights a fire in us for a reason and we can use that passion and desire to build the Kingdom. I have never seen someone follow the Holy Spirit like, Tiff. She is in tune and she follows. Tiffany showed me how speaking up for the Lord is powerful, because she lives that out every day.
I learned how to welcome.
Sonja Hedstrom loves. She loves hard and she loves all. I have watched this girl walk up to complete strangers and talk to them as if she had known them for 10+ years. It doesn’t matter what they look like, how they sound, where they came from- she loves and welcome them right where they are, as they are. Sonja is a mirror of how Christ calls us to love. Nothing will stop her or hold her back from opening up her arms as wide as they go for you. She doesn’t second guess and she doesn’t hesitate. She runs headfirst into welcoming each person and making them feel at home. Sonja showed me what it looks like to be a safe place for someone.
I learned how to commit.
Joell Sturgeon is the type of person who shows up. She’s all in or all out. Never half way in. I’ve seen her fight for me and I’ve seen her fight for everyone she loves. She is loyal and she is loving. Her love is the kind you can see, you can feel, and you can hear. You never question her intentions or where you stand with her, because she is pure and clear. Joell will go to the ends of the earth and back again for the ones she loves and she does it while overflowing the joy and love of the Father. She commits to the Lord. She commits to her dreams. And she commits to her people. Joell showed me what it looks like to be the kind of friend that doesn’t have expectations or double standards. She showed me what it’s like to be all in, all the time, heart ready and arms open.
I learned how to follow.
Madeline Jackson is the person you just want to listen to. You care what she has to say because her words are thought out and pure. She listens to the Lord and all her actions are a direct response from that. Madeline leads by example. She works hard, she commits, she succeeds in what she sets her mind too. When the situation is tough, she’s the positive one. When you think it’s all grey, she shows you the sun. When you question the why, she points you to the Lord. She’s there for you, no exceptions. Words are hard to form to describe the person I’ve spent every day with for the past nine month. She’s become my best friend and I can’t thank the Lord enough for her. Madeline taught me one of the most important lessons I’ve ever learned- people are worth listening to, they’re worth investing in, and they’re worth following.
Each of these women had something to teach me. And I’m better because I know them. They showed me glimpses of heaven daily and they made community living worth it. Ohana/Nooma/ChipsNguate y’all are forever my people.
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Mad-son taught me that chicken nuggets is ALWAYS a good option for breakfast/lunch/dinner/midnight stack
Tiffany taught me that the world truly does revolve around movies. Yes, Jesus created those too.
Sonja taught me that weird is the best thing to be and that snuggles are always welcome.
Joell taught me that the world of bubble tea is a world that everyone should be living in.
Madeline taught me that walking to get smoothies/thai tea/cokes and red puffs/coffee/takis can create some of the best conversations and memories. OH and that you indeed spell her name M-A-D-E-L-I-N-E and not M-A-D-E-L-Y-N-N. Common mistake.
