My last post about all of the changes for our squad was written in a rush, and I've had some questions and requests for clarification about my new team. Granted! Even if you're totally clear on it all, read on for more info about the newest members of my family.
Along with the changes in leadership I mentioned, our entire squad was assigned brand new teams. Our first teams were good. We grew together and enjoyed the first season of the race together. But God had some bigger plans for us, and our squad leaders put us in new teams that will grow us and stretch us in new ways.
What does this mean? It means I have 6 new teammates to do life with and live in community with. These are the people I spend all month with, do ministry with, live with 24/7, laugh and cry with, and grow with. They are great, and I can already see the Lord working in new ways in this new team.
Introducing my new team…
Somewhere Beautiful.
We chose this as our team name because we believe that everywhere we go on earth is beautiful because the Lord created it. Also, because no matter where we are in our personal journey – whether it's a mountain or a valley, green pastures or the desert, it's exactly where the Lord wants us. And there is great beauty in that. So every day we can confidently say that physically and spiritually we are SOMEWHERE BEAUTIFUL.
Meet my new family!
Our Fearless Leader
Dave Gardner
Dave is our team leader, and if you're thinking he looks familiar, it's because you're right! He was also the team leader of my first team. We got to stick together! Dave is from Tampa, Florida and is a fellow Gator. He's our resident worship leader, movie quoter and random fact supplier. His favorite color is red and he can eat the heck out of some fried chicken.
Strong & Spirited
Rachel Anderson
Rachel hails from all over the Pacific Northwest. She loves kids and worked as a nanny before the Race. She is witty, fierce and incredibly caring. Rachel is not sure where her crazy accent came from, and is the most Candaian acting and sounding American I've ever met.
Southern Gentleman
Nate Herndon
Nate is from Boone, North Carolina as evidenced by his fabulous southern accent. He attended Appalachain State University, "A university above the rest" (according to him anyway) where he was a Young Life leader and provides great stories about his young life students. Nate loves to golf and even spent a summer working as a golf caddy. He loves all things North Carolina, especially doing "the shag," bowties and the mountians.
Big Hearted
Courtney Burks
Courtney is from Indianapolis, and she was the very first Racer from my squad that I met when we bonded and got to know each other over mexican food last summer. She loves people and lives to serve others. Courtney can do a perfect British accent, loves football (especially the Colts!) and dreams of publishing a book someday.
The Level
Mickey Wingrove
Mickey comes from Wisconsin and is extremely insistant that his state has the best cheese in the world. His nickname on the team is the level – and it suits him well because he is steady, a rock and keeps us in line. 🙂 We love to tease him about his northern accent and his use of the word "Ma." His very deep voice gets so low between the hours of 11 pm – 7 am that it's impossible to understand, and provides many laughs.
Soulful
Taralah Neff
Taralah is from Oregon and loves the West Coast. She is trained in classical ballet and is a fabulous dancer with an unmistakeable laugh that you can hear from 100 yards away. She has a heart for long term missions and impacting the Kingom. Taralah's athletic nature gives her an incredibly speedy metabolism and her ability to out -eat they guys on our team is remarkable considering she's 1/3 of their size.
And Me!
Well, you know me. 🙂
Currently Somewhere Beautiful is in Thailand visiting and praying for unreached villages. It's been a month full of excitement, travel, a new bed every night, and lots of noodles! More updates about what's happening to come soon!
