Well the time has come. It was inevitable. Fearless Laughter (my first team) was officially split up in team changes. Technically we were split in half, but that hasn’t necessarily made it any easier. In this time of major change:
– Changing continents
– Changing countries
– Changing time zones
– Changing team leaders and squad leaders and coaches
Actual team changes just seemed to be icing on the cake.
I had been in denial for the entirety of Colombia, weighing all of the potential options, but somehow holding on to hope that the leaders would find some mercy and keep together the girls that had become my best friends over the past 4 months. When it was finally confirmed at the end of Colombia (October) that changes were indeed happening, tears started flowing uncontrollably (a rarity for me).
How was I going to explain my quirkiness to my “new team?” Like the fact that I love to randomly break out into dance or Google funny images of kittens and laugh for an hour. How would they know that I need affirmation that what I’m wearing is cute (even the creative World Race wardrobe combinations) or that I can’t stand when people clip their nails around me? As crazy as it sounds, these questions flooded my head, so rather than face them, I just cried in Whitney’s arms.
The next day came with equal anticipation and terror. As we had our last lunch together as a team and hugged each other tightly, you would have thought we had all just volunteered as tribute in the Huger Games. In reality it was a lot less dramatic than we made it out to be. They read off the names of our new teams, and almost immediately a weight was lifted. None of our “worst case scenarios” had come true. We were all still alive.
This is my new team, Kairos, which means “the appointed time in the purpose of God, the time when God acts.”
From Left to Right: Jordan, Shannon, Rocky, Me, Adrienne, Lauren, and Adri
They are beautiful and wonderful women of God. I am coming to realize that even though they are not totally my Fearless girls (I’ve still got Rocky and Shannon), they are a new perspective, a new part of the family of Christ, a new way to love. And I am thankful for the ways that God is going to work through them.
As for my Fearless girls, you know I am horrible at goodbyes and tend to avoid them. Thankfully we’re not saying goodbye completely, but I did want to note this change so I wrote a little something… something that hopefully will express just how much you have meant to me in these past 4 months. I love you girls with all my heart!!!
Case- Bold and caring are my words for you. We’ve had our ups and downs, but it never fails that whenever something big happens in my life, I want to run and tell you immediately. You have always encouraged me to follow my dreams, even if they seem somewhat out there. You have been an amazing example of love and grace, and a kick-ass fearless leader, if I may say so myself.
I will miss your “humms,” your perfect hug height, our heart to heart convos (which will just have to be designated for long bus rides now…I’m ok with that), and your random spurts of complete and utter goofiness. Thanks for just being you!
Rocky- I love our similarities, like being 100% content to sit in silence with each other and our flare for being creative. I love our differences, like me being all bendy in yoga and you being like David Beckem in soccer. And the way you eat everything I don’t want that’s served to me (aka: meat) and I do the same for you (aka: weird, hippie food). Our friendship just works! I am so thankful to have shared these past few months with you, and even more excited to get to know you on a deeper level on our new team together. Girl, you are wise beyond your years. Keep diving into the Word and using that quiet voice to proclaim the truths you know to others.
Shanny- Oh Shanny! My daily dose of laughter. We have come a long way since Uuyni, Bolivia that first week when I told you I was “having a hard time loving you.” You have taught me to find lightness and joy in each day we are given. You’ve shown me that no matter where we come from or what our language barriers are on the Race, we can love everyone we encounter whole-heartedly with the love of Jesus.
I would tell you all the things I will miss about you, but thankfully we’re still on a team together, so I will save that for another day. The amount of growth you have done is incredible, and there is so much more to come (your favorite!). I can’t wait to be there for it.
Tina- My kindred INFP (Myers Brigg personality). I knew we were going to be friends at training camp when we both were adamant that whiskey should be at the top of the list for survival gear in a potential plane crash scenario in Canada. Haha! I am thankful that you know when to be fun and when to be serious. I love your heart for knowledge… everything from scripture and theology to Spanish and French (“Je suis un enfant”).
I will miss your knack for pulling off a flannel flawlessly with a skirt, your laugh-cries, your stubbornness when it comes to meals (except chocolate!), and your similar affection for cats.
Whit- You are a hopeless romantic, filled with so much compassion! You never ceases to have the right and comforting words for me when I am feeling down. You consistently fill my days with joy and laughter as we daydream about where our future hubby’s will whisk us away to on a joint vacation (to Banos, Ecuador with Tin-Tin of course) or our plans for road tripping across the US when we get back. I will miss your unequivocal affection for the Georgia Bulldogs, your feet shuffling across the floor to que everyone that we should stop talking about you (just kidding about that last part!), and your constant encouragement that I am a lovely and deserving daughter of God. I adore you, my dear!
I am thankful for the change–the challenges and joys that are to come. I’ll ever forget my Fearless girls though!
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” – Proverbs 31:25
