Over the course of the World Race, I’ve written blogs about the one thing I’ve learned each month, starting a year ago with training camp.
In fact, a year ago (technically yesterday for us) we said “Goodbye” for the first time. Today, we say “Hello, again” for our final debrief, a bittersweet time of sharing and processing and laughing and, eventually, goodbyes. One of the things we’ll process is people – they’re kind of a big part of this journey, after all. So, because processing is healthy, and because I can think of no better way to share my love for these goons, here is “The One Thing” I’ve learned from EVERY member of K-Squad.
Most of their names are links to their blogs – many of them share incredible stories from our time on the field together (or their time on the field when they did the Race!). If you want to be super encouraged by the work the Lord did around the world and in our hearts, hit them up!
If you really want to catch the feels, I recommend playing THIS while you read.
Ali – This girl is sweeter than honey and stronger than steel. Even at her fluffiest, she is kind.
Thank you for teaching me how to overcome my past to look forward into a brighter future.
Allison – Allison is a friend that I can always count on to tell me what I need to hear, not just what I want to hear. She is gentle and bold, a practical dreamer.
Thank you for teaching me honest self-reflection.
Alyx – Alyx can set anyone at ease, is full of wisdom, and knows how to say hard things well.
Thank you for teaching me how to be a woman after God’s own heart, being quick to repent and quicker to forgive.
Amanda – Amanda knows her boundaries – physically, emotionally, spiritually, relationally. She can draw depth and meaning out of anyone and anything, even a dolphin like me.
Thank you for teaching me to see beyond into beauty.
Amber – No one has meekness like Amber. She is powerful – confident, wise, kind, and loving, attuned to Holy Spirit and a worship leader who actually would much rather have the spotlight on the Lord than her own abilities.
Thank you for teaching me how to be courageous – living fully in the promises of God ‘even when’.
Anthony – One of the only people I know who takes immense joy in research, Anthony will help you find any answer, and can get it into a beautiful spreadsheet to boot. He is the first to admit that he is an imperfect human in need of a savior and is always looking for feedback.
Thank you for teaching me humility in acknowledging my own shortcomings.
Cameron – A Michigan boy through and through, Cameron knows what he wants and he knows what he believes and he knows how he’s going to get there.
Thank you for teaching me what it looks like to stand firm in my opinion.
Carsyn – Carsyn is sweet, kind, and compassionate, not to mention to goofiest of pranksters. She is always going to serve others before herself, but knows she needs to care for herself sometimes, too.
Thank you for teaching me it’s okay to not be okay for a while.
Clayton – Clayton has the most humble servant’s heart I’ve ever seen, but he’s also one of the funniest (and most quiet) people on the squad. He desires growth for himself and others, and is a gentle guide in getting them there.
Thank you for teaching me quiet humility – love that is seen and felt.
Courtney – This woman is as goofy as she is wise. She is someone who takes great delight in chicken nuggies but much greater delight in her people, and wow, this girl loves the Lord.
Thank you for teaching me how to speak the truth in love, whether to friends or strangers.
Crystal – As tough as nails (and hers are perfectly manicured), Crystal shows up where she’s needed and will always put in 110%. You can count on her to find the best acai bowl around, but she is also full of insight and thoughtfulness when it comes to serving others, and therefore, the Lord.
Thank you for teaching me how to dig a little deeper, not just in knowledge, but in life.
Dylan – Dylan is exuberant, joyful, and so totally out of the box. He could talk to anyone about anything as far as I see it. He pursues the Lord and the Lord’s calling on his life, even if it means some difficulties on the road ahead.
Thank you for teaching me the power of knowing the scriptures and having them written on my heart.
Emma – This girl is one of few members on this squad who has seen me at my absolute best and my terrifying worst. She sees beauty all around her, and is creative, funny, wise, and unique.
Thank you for teaching me to share my passions with grace.
Hannah – Banana Peel is sheisty, but gosh, she will move mountains to care for the people God has put in front of her (sometimes that just looks like a good prank). 😉 Hannah is passionate about caring for the oppressed and the marginalized, and I firmly believe God will use her to do great things for them someday.
Thank you for teaching me the power of ‘no’.
Jamie – Kind, humble, gracious, and talented, Jamie has been our World Race Dad to us this year, but he has also been an extraordinary friend and leader. He is brave and bold in his vulnerability, and creates a culture of safety and security for everyone he’s around.
Thank you for teaching me to feed the hungry.
Jessica – My first World Race friend, I knew she was a goofy sweetheart from the first day we met. Not only that, Jess has extraordinary balance: she is soft spoken and bold, goofy and wise, compassionate and tough.
Thank you for teaching me how to be still, and for being the string to my balloon.
Jessie – Jessie Bunting is loud, and not just her laugh, which is hyper-contagious. Her love is bold, and she desires to serve much more than be served. She is always ready for the next big adventure, and won’t let anything get in her way.
Thank you for teaching me to throw caution to the wind and seize every moment.
Julie – Julie is a woman of peace. She fills the room with it like it’s her job. She is also fun, talented, and generous with her time. She knows that ministry is more than preaching and teaching, it’s doing life alongside others who are hurting.
Thank you for teaching me that God can use anyone and anything to bring love into this world.
Julie – I can very honestly say this girl has played a huge part in changing my life, and has walked with me in courage and strength, and of course, grace. She sees those who are hurting, even the dogs, and will offer a helping hand before you even know you need it.
Thank you for teaching me it’s okay, and good, to ask questions, and to follow where they lead.
Karrie – Karrie is unexpectedly sassy, but remarkably sweet. She has so much self control, and knows what she needs, especially as an introvert on the World Race.
Thank you for teaching me the value of my family.
Katie – My first interaction with Katie, I was crying because I missed my dad. Not much has changed. She has seen me through some emotions that I didn’t know I had, and asked me questions I never thought I could answer. She is beyond goofy, totally extra, and open to whoever, whatever, whenever.
Thank you for teaching me the power of my words to myself and to others.
Kayla – Kayla is fierce. She is bold and beautiful, and joy oozes out of this woman, especially when she’s dancing. She has let me in to so much of her story, and it is incredible the ways she has seen God move in her life.
Thank you for teaching me that in matters of identity, the only voice that matters is the Lord’s.
Lakota – The first day I really talked to Lakota was I think after we were put on the same team and instructed to interview each other. I saw this girl to be sweet, kind, fun-loving and servant-hearted, and as the Race as gone on, those qualities have proven true over and over again. She is strong, compassionate, and an incredible (like, to infinity and beyond) friend.
Thank you for teaching me how to have grace for myself and others.
Lindsey – In the time I spent with Lindsey, I learned she loves fun, but she loves the Lord way more. In all the hardships she has faced, she turns around and brings the praise right back to him. She is truly sweet as a Georgia peach, and there is nothing but life and love in her.
Thank you for teaching me how to walk in abundant, unexplainable, insurmountable joy.
Mary – Mary is the girl who will always bring a smile to my face. She is passionate, intelligent, and driven, and loves to have a good time. The Lord has brought her through some difficult things, but Mary is actually the last person to shy away from a challenge. I would actually be shocked to know she did.
Thank you for teaching me to care about economics – to remember the impact I have on this world.
Matt – The first day we met, we thought we were the same person. It was like looking in a bearded mirror. Now we know we are not the same, but still, friendship with him is a blessing. Matt is strong and kind, and knows his limits. He will do the right thing, always, and has a massive and gentle heart.
Thank you for teaching me that all I can control is my actions and reactions, and what I can’t control, I have to give to God.
Michael – Michael loves a good cup of coffee. More than that, Michael loves adventure, and he really loves the Lord. He showed great bravery in coming on the Race and is serving the Lord where he feels called, and I’m sure he will do great things as the Lord continues to guide him in life.
Thank you for teaching me how to enjoy where I’m at and not just see the bright side but seek it.
Mikayla – She never knew this, but I have a massive friend crush on Mikayla. She is spunky, funny, creative, and kind, and lives life to the fullest.
Thank you for teaching me to be strong in my decisions, trusting the Lord to lead the way.
Mike – Mike is crazy. Some of the things he’s done in his life I would never have the guts to, but he’s shown me how to stand up for what’s right, and to do what’s right, even if others think you’re crazy. Mike is gentle and wise, and a great brother to have by your side.
Thank you for teaching me how to walk in my convictions without claiming, “They should be yours, too.”
Rachael – A fellow Sconnie and weirdo, Rachael has been an incredible friend to have on this journey. In so many ways, I have been able to look to her life and wisdom for help in the exact same thing I’m currently walking through. Rach is bold and will say what’s necessary, even if it’s hard, because she knows the value of her friendships.
Thank you for teaching me there is power in the name of Jesus, and to walk in that daily.
Rachel – Rachel Morris is funny, dedicated, and smart. She has been a great leader and friend on this journey, and has been able to offer wisdom, insight, and perspective beyond her years. She walks in the humility that we are always learning.
Thank you for teaching me that a gentle spirit does not have to mean you’re a doormat.
Rachel – Rachel makes me laugh. She is fun and funny, and has hit me with some of the hardest and deepest questions. This girl has vision and planning skills that I have never seen before, and is the most thoughtful person I know. Just as God gives thought to every detail, so does Rachel.
Thank you for teaching me to see the importance in the minute, to give thought to the little things.
Sandy – Sandy Baby is crazy (I can say that because she does). This girl is extra – extra bold, extra courageous, and extra loving. She is always there for a hug or a chat, and wants you to know how deeply Jesus loves you.
Thank you for teaching me to walk in freedom.
Taylor – Taylor is the personification of “Though she is little, she is fierce.” She will never back down from the truth, and she is so full of compassion. I know that the Lord has used her to teach me humility, to seek the truth, and to forgive and be forgiving. She has seen some of my biggest failures on this journey and has shown me love all the same.
Thank you for teaching me to know why I believe what I do and be able to back it up.
Zach – The real Gentle Giant. His heart to serve the broken, the forgotten, and the marginalized is so evident. He has an especially big place in his heart for people that most would rather ignore.
Thank you for teaching me how to love my neighbor.
Zack – Long before training camp, Zack was reaching out to us, befriending us, praying for us, getting to know our hearts. He is intentional and loving, and a giant goofball. I am so grateful for our long walks and talks.
Thank you for teaching me patience and kindness.
K-Squad, thank you for teaching me love – true, filled-to-bursting, overwhelming, words are not enough, agape love.
Love that loves when it’s easy, and love that loves when it’s really freaking hard.
Love that looks not at the outside, at appearances or even actions, but at the heart.
I love you all, from the very bottomest of my being to the stars above my head.
Because I knew you, I have been changed for good, for better, forever.
