This was a Thankgiving that I have so much more to be thankful for! Seriously has been such an amazing year with even more amazing people. I wanted to take this time to thank the community that I have been a part of this past year! I had a chance to be a part of four teams that have challenged me and encouraged me. These teams were my community, my church, my family this past year.
G-WOP (Warriors of Peace) January-February
Thank you my G-WOP ladies,
My first two months on the race and my first team! You taught me what it means to be a sister in Christ and showed me the potential I have within. You spoke life into me when I believed lies. You taught me how to read the Bible in a new way and hear God’s voice daily. You showed me the walls that I build up when I meet new people and how to overcome them. Each and every girl in this photo are some of the strongest women I know. This team challenged me to become the woman that God created me to be and trust those who challenge me for the better. We were brought together to preach the gospel to a village in Indonesia who had never heard the name of Jesus before. Those first two months were some of the hardest months on the race but thanks to my sisters, those two months brought me to a better place to succeed on the race. Thank you Liz, Andrea, Kristine, Ariel, Lennie, and Sara(not pictured). You seriously shaped my race and created a launching pad for me to become a better me this year. And you beacame some of my best friends on this race. You will always be warriors! One word that comes to mind for this team is genuine.
Team LOA (Ladies of Authority) March-May
Thank you beautiful ladies of LOA,
After being on a team where I realized I put up a lot of walls with new people, I tried something new with you and it paid off. I was 100% vulnerable and open with you all and you embraced me. On top of that, it opened a new door for our team to be honest and open about everything. We talked about EVERYTHING and I loved that. We sat for hours next to the pool in Sri Lanka and shared our stories. We debriefed so much that went on in our first two months on the race and looked forward to everything that was to come. We went through so much in India together, including a stomach bug! But, we got through it and I loved that even in our sickness we stuck together in watching movies. We did amazing things in both Sri Lanka and India. In Sir Lanka we worked with an amazing orphanage and spoke life into those women in the empowerment home. Boy, did we survive a lot in India. When there were spiritual attacks within the team, we presented those in front of each other and realized that we were never supposed to go about this alone. This team became stronger through all the tough times we went through in India. Thank you for you vulnerability and showing me the meaning of community. Thank you for loving in all circumstances and keeping positive attitudes through everything. I miss our deep conversations and your outlooks on life. Those are something I will carry with me even after the race. Thank you Shannon, Erica, Taylor, Victoria, Andrea, and Shelby! You were a team that showed me how to talk about the tough stuff and walk through healing in a lot of aspects of my life. You taught me how to embrace who I truly was and the necessity of community in my life. We all walked through a lot and for that, I am really proud of you guys and where you are now. The word that comes to mind for this team in vulnerability.
Kingdom Sojourners June-August
Thank you to my hype brothers and sisters in sojourners,
Finally being on a co-ed team came with its challenges. I was excited to move forward on this team and we did some pretty amazing things. Serve the homeless community in Kathmandu, taught English to some pretty amazing kids, and be a part of an archeological dig that can change the course of history for a country. We did a lot for the people around us but it was the way that we looked out for each other that I miss the most. The laughs that we shared and the excitement that came with each month. It took a bit, but we really became a team that understood and brought out the best in each other. Thank you to the brothers in this team because you became some of my best friends. I have built up a lot of walls against men in my life from past relationships and friendships. You truly carry Jesus in your hearts and proved to me that there are some really great men in this world. I will forever be grateful for both of you Joey and Jake. Not only the genuine friendship you showed towards the ladies, but also the way you supported each other. Thank you to the sisters of this team for always making me laugh and showing me what it means to be strong women in Christ. All of you have such warrior spirits! Ladies, we are leaders and I am so grateful for the unit we became on this team. Thank you all for the laughs and deep conversations that we had as a team. This was a picture perfect team of what brothers and sisters in Christ should be. Thank you for being open to talk about uncomfortable things and nights of praying together. Thank you Joey, Jake, Fei, Erica, and Lennie! You are seriously heroes in my eyes and are going to do great things in the future. I have so many happy memories with you all. Thank you for always staying positive in difficult circumstances and surrounding each other in love. The word I have for this team is joy.
Team Half & Half September-November
Thank you half&half fam,
These last three months have been tough but fruitful. Each of us walked through tough lessons and pushed through some tough circumstances. We spent time in prayer and worship together that was good for our souls. We walked miles and miles together but still had enough energy to share a meal together. We sought out ministry opportunities here in Tangier and were able to really see what God is doing here. Even when we are looking forward to the future, I think that each of you did an amazing job of staying present and encouraging the team to keep growing. I loved sitting and watching a sermon together. Thank you for long discussions with lots of rabbit holes. Thank you for Harry Potter nights and family meals. We poured into each other’s lives and each of you have such a servants heart. Because you are my last team I am going to brag on you a little bit. Joey, thank you for being such a great leader and a brother that is open to long talks. You are a great listener but also someone who carries great wisdom. You will be a great pastor one day! Jake, thank you for being our personal body guard and opening your heart more each sermon we watched. You are such a great observer and cook. Thank you for giving me cooking advice and the quiet love that you carry. We all know that you love us even if you don’t say it. Connor, thank you for your words of wisdom and you brainy smarts. You have great things to say so don‘t ever say that your words mean nothing. You will be able to pour into a great community when you get home. Make sure others hear what God has put on your heart to say. Kristine, thank you for being a best friend on this race. You are someone that I really look up to. You were on my first team and my last team. Thank you for being our team nurse and always caring for others. I look up to your servants heart and love of the Word. Leah, thank you for your never ending energy and long conversations. You have such a pure beautiful heart and I can’t wait to see how that carries over to the next teams that you lead! You are going to have the opportunity to do even more amazing things in this world. I am so grateful for our girls nights and love of Pride and Prejudice. Thank you Joey, Jake, Connor, Kristine, and Leah. You have equipped me for the transition back home and showed me that the tough conversations are the necessary ones. I can’t wait to see where the Lord takes us all next. The word I have for this team is surrender.
