Hello! Today you all meet my team, team Grafted!
At training camp we were given the task to choose a name for ourselves and it would describe who we are as a team for the rest of the race.
As we sat there trying to come up with the perfect name for our team I said unity and everyone agreed that was the word that describes us but it’s just not the right word.
That night Gracie was on the phone with her mother (shout-out to Marla!!) and they were talking about the name. Then, Marla said, “Oh, that sounds a whole lot like grafting” because we describe our team as a bunch of different people with very different personalities coming together, unified by Christ.
When Gracie came to us with the name we all LOVED IT, it just felt right you know.
We are all different fruits getting grafted together in the body of Christ. Christ in the tree and we are all the branches.
I love these girls so much. I would summarize Cambodia as a time where we were all getting to know each other. We definitely loved each other and we have SO many fond memories in Siem Reap. Swimming in our pool, our meals together, our bike rides, crazy bike rides. So much bonding time. It was such a sacred time for our team in Siem Reap because it was just us and it really grew us closer together as teammates, sisters and friends!
When we got to Ethiopia we were back with the whole squad and it really, really bonded each of us closer. We reached a point where we loved each other but we also liked each other. We like being around each other, it’s not hard. Of course we go through the same struggles as every other team living together for 9 months but we actively choose each other and God is truly at the center of our team.
Our team has so much fun and something we do all the time is accents which my family would not be surprised by this but everyone else, I’m always speaking in accents.
It was Thanksgiving Day and me and Jaynna were in our hammocks on the roof after dinner. We just started talking in a southern accent and creating these characters. We talk in “hickory” ALL THE TIME, mostly me. Now, our whole team and some of our squad had joined in with the fun. In this blog I introduce each person by their southern name.
Kaelan Renee
My beautiful sister from New York! She lives in a small town where she worked at the ice cream shop and is very involved with her school drama program. She knows The Fresh Prince of Bell Air by heart and is an incredible performer. I love her smile and the way she gets SO excited about the people she loves and the things she is passionate about.
Something you miss the most from America:
My friends, cheese, and my favorite candle
Best memory on the WR so far:
“That one day was really fun when we were sitting on the pier in Cambodia taking a group photo and I grabbed Jaynna and jumped pulling her into the water with me. There isn’t just one best memory, the whole thing is the best memory.”
Favorite Bible verse & why:
There are also so many good ones ?? (all of them)
Maybe Isaiah 25:1 ESV “Oh Lord, you are my God;
I will exalt you; I will praise your name,
for you have done wonderful things,
plans formed of old, faithful and sure.”
- I chose this as my life verse when I got baptized and try to live it out every single day.
I also really like Philippians 4:13 ESV “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
- I probably quote this verse to myself more than any other verse, because saying this verse reminds me that I don’t live with my own strength and it reminds me to be brave.
What is God teaching you right now:
That He is constant through everything, especially when my feelings are like a roller coaster.
Favorite movie:
The Harry Potter series
Favorite food:
Pizza
Fun fact about yourself:
Three weird things I have eaten before: chipmunk, tarantula, and dog
Magnolia (Elena)
Our sweet angel from Colorado. This girl radiates Joy and happiness wherever she goes. She will be moving to my state next Fall and will be attending Whitworth University. IM SO EXCITED to have a sister in my state!! She carries a lot of wisdom and is such a good team leader. She is such a safe place and she is so filled with peace wherever she goes.
Something you miss the most from America: My family. Being on the Race gives you so much more of an appreciation for your family.
Best memory on the WR so far: Dance parties on the roof in Siem Reap. Margee almost falling over in this river that had formed in the river in Battambang when we were biking back from ministry. You don’t understand the meaning of downpour until you go to Cambodia. She also had all the laptops in her bag with a trash bag to try and keep them dry and for some reason it was so funny that they almost all ended up in the river. Since being in Ethiopia, my favorite moments have been our team times when we just get to sit around a table and laugh and be crazy together. No specific moment, it happens all the time.
Favorite Bible verse & why: For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible – and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. Ephesians 5:8,13
This verse has pretty much been the motto of my Race and I love it! There is so much power in speaking out the truth. The truth sets you free. And The Truth (Jesus) sets you free.
What is God teaching you right now: Ethiopia has been a season of healing for me. I have learned that healing is often times a process. Yes God is a God of immediate healing, but He also desires to walk us through processes because He wants to heals us completely. It has been incredible to experience immense spiritual, emotional and physical healing!
Favorite movie: We Bought A Zoo
Favorite food: right now my favorite food is pancakes!!!!!!! A couple weeks ago I was physically healed from my gluten intolerance that started two and a half years ago when I got a weird virus. But Jesus healed me and now I can eat everything!
Fun fact about yourself: Prior to coming to Ethiopia, I had been to Africa for just one day (Morocco).
Rose Magnolia (Amber)
Ams, who is also from Colorado! She and I have a lot in common with our families, both coming from families of six and both having very outgoing parents who are very involved with our churches. Amber is the oldest and is the mom of team grafted. She is always taking care of us and making sure we are doing alright. She has the biggest heart for others and is so empathetic. Plus, she gives the best hugs!
Something you miss the most from America: My family and friends
Best memory on the WR so far: Badgers
Favorite Bible verse & why: Isaiah 43:1-5. Because it speaks of God’s promise to never leave or forsake us through any season or circumstance of life.
What is God teaching you right now: That He is the only thing I will ever need on this earth.
Favorite movie: Thor Ragnarock
Favorite food: Tortellini Alfredo with grilled chicken Caesar salad and ice cream.
Fun fact about yourself: Working I’m doing the splits.
Tuna (Kirsten)
This sweetie pie is from California and has A LOT of animals, even a horse named Gus. She has such a pure heart and is always there for people. She is so goofy and has one of the most creative minds I’ve ever encountered. Love her compassion and her puns!
Something you miss the most from America: My sister, and, as of the last few days, fiesta lime chicken from Applebee’s .
Best memory on the WR so far: When I was really struggling and my team poured out love on me. They hugged me, listened to me, cried with me, and encouraged me. Another favorite memory was when we went out to eat dinner as a team. We were going around in a circle playing this elementary school game where you share your crush. Instead, we shared our older celebrity crushes. I jokingly said that mine was Nicholas Cage, and I got all my team mates laughing like crazy. It was hilarious!
Favorite Bible verse & why: There are so many good ones that it’s hard to choose one, but I really like Psalm 73:26. Earlier in the chapter, the writer is talking about how he almost slipped! He made a mistake by letting envy get to him, but continues to say that, even though he was foolish and ignorant, he still belongs to God and He holds his right hand! So cool. Also Proverbs 3:5-6 because it is a much needed reminder.
What is God teaching you right now: That this life isn’t about me, but about bringing glory to Him.
Favorite movie: She’s The Man
Favorite food: A Philly Cheesesteak that I ate while in Cambodia, and basically anything chocolate.
Fun fact about yourself: I’ve been to a Big Time Rush concert.
Bonus: There is a frog eyeball lost in either my old house or the boxes in my garage from when we dissected frogs in 7th grade.
JJBEAN (Jaynna)
My Oklahoma gal! She is so much fun to be around and has the kind of contagious laugh that makes you want to laugh. She loves to run and be active. In high school she was an incredible softball player and has such a great sense of style which we call “The Jaynna Style”. Jaynna loves the Lord so much and has grown like crazy since coming on the race. She is filled with our Father’s love and is so good at loving the people around her. She also gives amazing hugs!!
Something you miss the most from America: my dog & my family
Best memory on the WR so far:
-half marathon
-getting a letter from my dad
-meeting Mesekerem (a child at HOPEthiopia)
Favorite Bible verse & why:
This is the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it.
Because this is a constant in every season of life.
What is God teaching you right now: God is teaching me the importance of obedience and boldness.
Favorite movie: Bench Warmers
Favorite food: chips & Guac
Fun fact about yourself: my armpits don’t sweat
Crazie Gracie
My southern bell from West Virginia! She also lives in a small town and absolutely loves her town, her family and MEAT. This girl is an All-American and I love the way she talks about her McDonalds. Gracie is so steady and has such an intimate relationship with the Father. She carries so much knowledge and I love hearing her talk about the Bible, she is so passionate about. It’s amazing! Whenever I have a question I go to her.
Something you miss the most from America: Meat
Best memory on the WR so far: singing Bohemian Rhapsody at the top of our lungs on the tuk tuk ride home from ICF
Favorite Bible verse & why: I don’t have one specific verse that is my favorite, but instead I have certain verses I cling to in seasons of my life. This season I have been clinging to Romans 8:15 “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (KJV)
What is God teaching you right now: I’m learning how to stop striving for the Lord’s approval, and fully accept/walk in the freedom He died for us to have.
Favorite movie: Pride & Prejudice, How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days, All Marvel Movies, Hacksaw Ridge
Favorite food: red velvet cupcakes, cheeses fries
Fun fact about yourself: I showed a grand champion heifer at my county fair 2 years ago.
Cletus (Luis)
Our AMAZING squad leader and friend. He is from Southern California but has been traveling with World Race for the past TWO years. He has done his original 11n11, then squad lead 11n11 for 5 months and now is our squad leader for all 9 months! I am so thankful to have Luis as our leader because he carries incredible wisdom and the Holy Spirit speaks through him constantly. I have learned so much from him and he is an amazing example of what a Christ follower looks like. We love his dance moves so much! (Trust fall!)
Something you miss the most from America: Family and snow. I’ve been traveling for over two years and have not been able to see snow.
Best memory on the WR so far: Getting sick and realizing that even if my body shuts down, the joy and inheritance of Jesus is in me.
Favorite Bible verse & why: “I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
This has been a constant reminder that there is nothing I cannot do, when He is with me.
What is God teaching you right now: Right now He is teaching me to trust Him. As the final day of this race approaches many have asked what’s next. When I ask the Lord He tells me to stay focused here. To trust that He will guide me into the next season.
Favorite movie: Star Wars
Favorite food: My Moms guacamole and bbq ribs.
Fun fact about yourself: I have a regional road racing license in the state of California. I am legally blind.
Raychild (Rachel)
Was our first team leader who led us for our first 3 months of the race! She Is a strong woman of God and she just started attending Gordon College in Boston Massachusetts but is ALSO from Colorado. She taught me what it looks like to rejoice in the Lord always and to turn to God before all else when a conflict arises. We love and miss you so much!!!!!!
Lemon (Me)
Something you miss the most from America: my family, walks with my favorite dog Maggie, car rides blasting music with my friends and singing our hearts out, organizing with my mom, working out with my dad, and youth group retreats.
Best memory on the WR so far:
- Waking up to “Margee, Margee, Margee!” By the adorable little voice of Dereche, opening up the door and seeing his arms held open wide and beaming smile on his face.
- Our crazy bike rides through the rainstorms in Cambodia
- The dance parties at ICF
- Thanksgiving & Christmas Day
- Doing my own coffee Ceremony for the first time for all the house moms
Favorite Bible verse & why:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
This my favorite bible verse right now because God is teaching (like I say below) that I’m learning how to let Jesus take the wheel and it has been such a good reminder of the outcome of submitting to our Father.
Also,
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14:14 NIV
Because it’s so easy to try to do everything by myself but this verse reminds me that all I have to do is sit and let God do all the heavy lifting.
My last favorite is,
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.””
Joshua 1:9
I love the context of this verse because Moses has just passed and Joshua is
What is God teaching you right now:
God is bringing me through a season of letting go and letting God have control over my life. Being okay wherever that takes me.
Favorite movie: The shack (when our squad sat down to watch this movie I was like what the heck, this sounds like a horror movie. Turns out it’s an incredible Christian movie that opened my eyes to just how BIG our God is). Highly recommend!
Favorite food: Cambodian dragon fruit & Ethiopian Ingera
Fun fact about yourself:
I wear a retainer (lol pretty much dentures) because I’m missing my bottom two front teeth.
Wow, God did good when he made each of my teammates. They are incredible and I love them to death.
FUNDRAISER UPDATE: ADOPT A MONTH!
SEPTEMBER (TAKEN!!! YAYAYA!!!!!)
OCTOBER (TAKEN!!!!! WAAHOOOOOO)
NOVEMBER (TAKENNNNNN!!!)
DECEMBER (taken!!! Whoop whoop!!)
JANUARY (taken!! THANK YOU!!!)
FEBRUARY (needed!)
MARCH (needed!)
APRIL
MAY
JUNE (may or may not be needed, depends what day I get home)
——————————————————————————————————————
Ways YOU can Join me on my Spiritual Journey:
1. Pray. I will need a multitude of prayers ranging from strength, wisdom, clarity, love, joy… The list goes on. Whatever your heart desires and feels right, pray. Here in Ethiopia we have a little boy at the orphanage who’s legs don’t work, pray healing over his body please!
- SPREAD THE WORD! Tell everyone about my trip and show them my blog.
- SUBSCRIBE! When you subscribe you will get all notifications when I post on my blog about my trip and any updates!
- If you would like to donate to me still, please donate directly to me and not World Race. I AM FULLY FUNDED but I could always use money to cover vaccinations costs and so on! I do have squad mates who aren’t fully funded, if you feel lead please donate to them and keep them on the field!!!!
Thank you and God bless you all!
