This is a series I want to do telling all about the amazing women I’ve traveled with for the last year. I want to tell you about the impact they have had on my life. I will hopefully get through them all, but I’m starting out with Shea.
This is Shea. We were on the same team for the final leg of our race. To say it was an easy ride for us would be a lie but I am thankful for our time together.
Let me tell you a bit about Shea. Shea is a people person. I cannot tell you how many people that I would talk to and they would say, “ I met Shea…” She is always seeking people out and she loves people in a way that is inspiring. Shea loves sponges, fried chicken, and the show Community. I remember in Cambodia asking Shea if we could bring her back anything from town and she thinks for a second. She then proceeds to say that all she wants is 2 chicken thighs. It was oddly specific and we weren’t sure we could make it happen. Low and behold, we just happened to find a KFC that very day and could make her chicken dreams come true.
Me and Shea share similar tastes in music. I was the only one who could relate when she talked about artists like India Arie. I could always count on her to jam to Whitney Houston with me.
Shea is an evangelist. She will talk to any and everyone about Christ. Even when we landed back in the states at the end of the race. I saw her reach out to a man in our hotel the morning after our arrival in San Francisco. She inspired me with how well she handled it when he became loud and opinionated about religion. She didn’t back down but kept engaging him in love. This is who Shea is. She cares more about you and your soul than she cares about how you react to her. She is not ashamed of the gospel and it’s something I admire about her.
Both Shea and I quickly realized that we reminded each other of our sisters. I’m not sure if this was a good or bad thing but we did seem to occasionally behave like siblings. Frustrating each other but still choosing to try and love each other too.
I had many conversations with Shea as we tried to get to know each other. One thing I learned through these talks was that it’s loving Shea well to ask her questions. She has so many incredible ideas and thought and it helps when you show that you want to hear them by asking her to explain them deeper.
I could continue on but I will leave you with this final bit about Shea. She is a leader. She has incredible insight that comes from such a unique perspective and it’s been a absolute honor watching her grow in that these past few months. Shea is a great friend who loves with all her heart. I cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for her. Shea has challenged me and helped me grow in a way that would not have happened with anyone else. I am so thankful to have gotten to share a part of this journey with her. I am forever changed by the impact Shea had on my life.
check out her blog here:
