Two years ago in our small Ukrainian apartment Shannon asked me to be a bridesmaid through a rap, since I’m not as gansta as Shannon, I figured a story would do.
It is a story that I wanted to share because I feel it embodies friendship.
Prior to going on the World Race I had read a blog about an all women’s team who years after the race were still close and met up yearly despite the distance that separated them. Those were the type of friendships I deeply desired. God answered my prayer.
All six of the women from team Sound are making the trek out to Montana for our wedding and several of them are going to be singing during the ceremony, while I am immensely excited to get married in August, I’d be lying if I didn’t say that one of my greatest joys will be having all six of these women in one place once again.
Since Shannon and I spent the entire year side-by-side, she especially impacted my life. So Shannon, this story is for you…..
Ever since I stood on that hill at training camp listening to how you had met Brad, I knew my life would be forever changed. Your love story, a testament to God’s glory, challenged me, encouraged me and impacted me.
From training camp to the Philippines, you taught me an even greater lesson, forgiveness. I finally saw myself as Christ’s bride, pure and blameless in His sight. Because of this I can stand at that altar before Braden and God knowing that I am forgiven, that is a gift I could never begin to repay.
China brought us an adventure of a lifetime and many days of prayer. Sitting on that Tibetan mountainside overlooking the city, I witnessed a woman of deep prayer, a woman I wanted to embody.
South Africa brought tears… and shark diving…and 8 more months together. As soon as I opened that slip showing your name on top, I knew God was not finished with our friendship and that you would continue to impact my life.
In Mozambique I learned that Jesus really does speak to our souls. Conviction of my love life began to set-in and you allowed me to struggle through it with such grace, knowing it was something I needed to come to on my own.
The Swaz was our promise land, a land filled with rest and goodness. This was the month I realized being only with Jesus really was enough, I didn’t need a man to fill that void. I also realized the deepness of our friendship as we said goodbye to your dear uncle in that Safari bathroom.
Romania was a special month for me because it was the month I was finally able to surrender my entire life to Christ and we began the ever beautiful journey of praying for my husband. You told me one night over prayer that my husband would tell me all he wanted to do was honor me and honor God. When Braden fought to pursue me as I tried to run away he told me “Maggie, all I want to do is honor you and honor God.” This forced me to pause and look up at God who was winking down at me.
Serbia was the first month I felt total freedom, for once it was just me and Jesus and oh how glorious that was. Your ‘beloved’ tattoo only further cemented my idea of what it means to be God’s beloved daughter.
Ukraine brought an even sweeter time in our friendship, asking me to be a bridesmaid in your wedding and all those late night talks with you laying above me on that pull-out.
In Guatemala God told me I needed a husband to be a rock to me. Braden later told me that he wanted to be like a rock to me.
Honduras was…well Honduras. Sitting next to your tent commiserating together and that ever famous night when we were left with no food. I will never forget crying on that rock together as we shared one of your granola bars. There is nothing like misery to bring two together.
Panama!!! What a beautiful journey God had brought us on and how close we had become as sisters. While I hate to say it I was scared our friendship would get lost in distance but time told differently and your upcoming wedding brought us even closer.
Trips to Chicago and buying the famous “husband” boots proved that we were lifetime friends.
Had it not been for you, my life would look a lot different; I would not be marrying the man of my dreams, a man God has so obviously designed for me.
So with all of that said, my prayer is that you will continue on this journey of life with me now as MY BRIDESMAID….
