If you told me in June that I would love my team as much as I do now, I would have laughed in your face. Let me set this up for you.
At training camp, we were put into teams that would be our intimate community for the next few months on the Race. My team was called out and I was immediately upset. Why would AIM put us in a group? I didn’t even really know these girls. How could they do this? Let me say that I had no expectations until we got put into teams and I felt like all my “expectations” had been let down.
Fast forward, we had to do a team activity. Let me just say that after any activity that we did at training camp I had a ton to say. Whether it was good or constructive feedback. But after this team activity I was silent. And that did not go unnoticed. My teammate Marissa called me out (in a good way).
Marissa: “Savannah, I don’t know if your sick or if something is wrong but you don’t seem okay. What’s going on?”
My first thought back, “Wow. We’re going to go there in the first 15 minutes. Okay.” I knew that I needed to express how I was feeling. Which wasn’t great. But I decided that if this was going to get better then I needed to be honest about how I was feeling. My team was so receptive of how I was feeling and we had our first real conversation. I honestly felt a little better… But I was still upset that this would be my team for the first few months on the Race.
Later that day, we had our team outing. We went to Mellow Mushroom for dinner. This is where my heart started changing. I decided to try and not be mad at dinner and actually try and get to know these girls. I sat and listen to bits of their stories and hearts come out and I felt a little bit better. I was amazed at all they had to say and how willing they were to share. Y’all we had only been a “team” for a few hours and they were willing to share so much already. As the night went on, a few girls decided to get their nose pierced (which I am all for). We got dessert and just had fun together. I remember thinking back to earlier that day and how mad I was about this team formation. All of that seemed to fly out the window the more I got to know these girls. I went back to my training leaders and told them about how my heart had changed.
Me: “Myles, I want to thank you for putting me on this team. They are wonderful and I can tell that I am going to learn so much from them already. I’m sorry about my attitude earlier.”
He told me that he was glad that I had taken some time to get to know them and allow the Lord to change my heart towards them.
FAST FORWARD
We have been on the World Race for a month now. We have laughed as a team. Worshipped as a team. Kept each other accountable. And so so so much more!!
Y’all God knew exactly what he was doing when he put these girls in my life.
Here’s something that I have learned from each of them this past month.
Brittany: She has taught me to be a woman of integrity. To love the Lord with my whole heart and to do whatever it takes to bring glory to Him. She taught me this by example. I could not be more proud of the woman she is becoming and the woman that she is. I am so lucky to live by her side everyday.
Marissa: She teaches me daily how to live intentionally. She cares so much for the people around her and in return I am learning to do that as well. She seeks out the Lord and his will for her life everyday in every way. I have learned how to love others around me better because of her. I loved every moment I had with her month one and I cannot wait for more months to come with her!
Bethany: A girl with a golden heart. Her serving heart shines so brightly. In this month, she has taught me through example how to serve with a happy heart. She would give you the shirt off her own back. She has taught me more than she will ever actually know. I love seeing what God is doing in and through her. I am so glad that I get to be in her path because I truly learn so much from her everyday!
Melissa: My girl that gives the sass right back. She teaches me how to love with a compassionate heart. I have learned how to take into consideration others feelings and realize that their feelings are valid. I see her smile every morning and I am reminded how lucky I am to be on this journey that God has called me on. She has also taught me how to not second guess myself and that I am enough. I will forever be grateful for that lesson.
Lynna: The girl with the best IPod that I have ever listened to. But more than that, she has encouraged me everyday in some way. She has told me that the Lord does want to use me. That I am being used even when I don’t see the fruit. She has made me feel so comfortable in who I am and what the Lord is making me.
My team. Abiding Azar. They have changed my perspective in so many ways and I will forever be grateful for the lessons that the Lord is teaching me through them. I cannot wait to tackle the rest of the Race with them!!!
