hi! as I mentioned in my last blog, my squad is the group of about 30 people that I’m living with, eating with, sleeping next to, and simply doing life with every day. within my squad, there are four teams, and my team has seven people on it. we live together as a squad, but we get to meet as a team every night, doing Bible studies, playing games, encouraging each other, and debriefing the days together. and each team has a name – so my team is team fervent! named from Romans 12:11-12 which says “do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” we chose this name because of these verses, because we want our time together on the race to be one that is filled with honoring vulnerability, consistent prayer, and hearts fervent, desiring the Lord.
so, without further ado, let me introduce you to my built in best friends 🙂
Abigail! Abigail is so gentle and kind, with the biggest servant’s heart I’ve ever met. she’s quick to listen and slow to speak, she’s tenderhearted, she’s patient with everyone, and she shows her love by serving the ones around her. Abigail’s words have power, and yet she speaks them in such grace.
Kenzi! Mackenzi is one of the most encouraging people I know, she’s fun and wise, and she knows when to be serious and when to laugh. Kenzi is also one of the most creative people I’ve ever met (she literally custom paints and sells waterbottles as her job – and she’s SO good at it). she seeks to uplift people, meets them where they are, and reminds them of who Jesus is. knowing her is having a friend in her.
Anna! Anna is generous. she brought everything with her, from a portable shower to 14 bottles of tea to a french press, and she’s so quick to share what she has. and not only is she quick to share her personal things with the rest of us, but she models vulnerability in our team, as she’s bold in sharing even the hard things. Anna also loves to laugh, she’s super fun, and she invites people into the fun with her.
Gracie! If home was bottled up and put into a person, it would be Gracie. she’s hospitable and sweet, always seeking to love and serve people to the best of her ability. she literally lives her name “grace” by her patience and listening ears. her smile is gentle and her words are kind.
Liv! Liv is passionate. she is bold and on fire for the Lord, and she doesn’t let anything get in the way of her willingness to obey. she is open, loves to share, and at the very same time, loves to listen. she values conversation and having conversations with her make people feel loved. she seeks people out and welcomes them in.
Ana! Ana is the most precious texan I have ever met. she loves Jesus more than she loves ice cream (which is a lot) and His gentleness shines on her face. she is kind and her smile lights up the whole room, every time. she can take a nap anywhere (the deck floor, the dinner table, a hammock, anywhere else) and even in the little things like that, Ana models what it looks like to truly rest in the Lord.
Leanna! Leanna Murphy is our team leader, and she’s a great one at that. she walks in the joy of the Lord as her strength. she chooses to pursue people, and she encourages the ones around her, every day. she shows us what genuine thankfulness looks like, and she uses her words to praise the Father, in everything that He does.
these are the women that surround me, that encourage me, that invite vulnerability, and that pray for me. these people are my people, and I love them a lot. I’m praising the Lord for the gift of knowing them.
p.s. the links to their blogs are down the side of my page, just click on their name/picture if you’re interested in knowing them more deeply!
