Hello from Pogradec, Albania!
Can you believe I’m almost halfway done with the race?
I have been in Albania for a total of 2 days and I have already fallen in love. The spectacular views, the village we live in, the community we have the privilege of doing life with this month, and the endless amounts of carbs.
While in Cambodia, we had team changes! YIKES! This hit me a little harder than I would have liked. Can you say…emotional wreck? You think by now that I would be used to all of the change we are forced to embrace as racers. We get comfortable long enough for everything to be ripped away in order to begin again. We become familiar with the food, culture, language, housing, etc. With that being said, you can only imagine how comfortable I became with the team I had just spent the last 4 months of my life with, all to be ripped away in order to begin again.
However, God continues to reveal the beauty that comes with new beginnings. New beginnings are hard. I hardly ever understand them. They are scary. But that’s where God reminds me to rely on His strength when I feel it’s too hard. He reminds me that I don’t have to always understand, but to trust Him becuase His ways are higher than my ways and His thoughts are higher than my thoughts. He reminds me that it’s okay to be scared.
So, without further a due, I’d like to introduce my new team: Schondraggy Connection! Interesting, I know!
Sch- Schyler
On- Bonnie
Dra- Aundraya
Agg- Maggie
Ey- Hailey/Ashley
Connection- The prophetic word we wanted to declare over our team as we created a deep bond of connection with each other, with our Father in heaven, and with the people we will connect with during our time on the race all around the world!
Here’s a short bio behind each team member. Hopefully this will give you an insight of the amazing women I get to do life with in the months to come.
Bonnie (Bon) Louise Bakewell:
Age: 33
Pre-Race City: Detroit, MI
What is your hidden talent?
I can touch my tongue to my nose.
If you can have any job in the world, what would it be?
My dream job would be anything involving sports. When I was younger my dream was to be the first female MLB player, but now my dream job would be a college scout for an NFL team.
How do you think your friends would describe you?
Loyal – adventurous – dependable – easygoing – passionate – protective.
If you could travel to one place in the world, where would it be?
I have so many, but I guess my top choice would be Israel.
Beach or Mountains? Argue your answer.
Both! Nature calms me, and the water sooths me.
If you had a super power, what would it be??
A martial arts/super strength/speed/agility with some shooting ability thrown in for good measure.
Aundraya (Queen) Lená Wynne:
Age: 30
Pre-Race City: Nashville, TN
What is your hidden talent?
I can recite the movie “Home Alone” pretty much word for word.
If you can have any job in the world, what would it be?
A video blogger like Will Smith cuz he has a crew that follows him around and edits and posts his videos for him. So he basically gets to travel the world with his family living his life and he gets paid for it.
How do you think your friends would describe you?
Very analytical – super black and white – honest to a fault – super loyal – trustworthy *does little dance*
If you could travel to one place in the world, where would it be?
Some island somewhere. Bora Bora…Malta…but that’s a lot of flying and my ankles would probably swell up…somewhere in the Caribbean. Saint something.
Beach or Mountains? Argue your answer.
Beach duh look at my answer above. I love the water and warm weather and everything about being atthe beach.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
I would love to fly! I sometimes pray for flying dreams and when I have them I don’t want to wake up. If I could fly I would probably never walk again.
Margaret (Mags) Rose Harrell:
Age: 24
Pre-Race City: Charleston, SC
What is your hidden talent?
I can stick a pencil in my bellybutton and walk around with it still in there.
If you can have any job in the world, what would it be?
I would be a long term missionary living in a village, completely immersing myself in the community and the culture in order to better reach the people of that place. I would be working for a nonprofit that somehow bettered the long-term health of this culture and was teaching them about health and how to access better health standards with the resources they have.
How do you think your friends would describe you?
They would probably say that I make any situation into an opportunity for fart jokes, I love my dog more than anything, and I thrive off of having alone time.
If you could travel to one place in the world, where would it be?
I always have the itch to travel and experience something new. My recent top destinations are Israel, Somalia, and Syria.
Beach or Mountains? Argue your answer.
Mountains for sure. They are so peaceful, the weather is almost always amazing, and that’s really where I experience the Lord the most.
If you had a super power, what would it be?
I would absolutely choose teleportation. I love to travel, but sometimes I just wanna BE THERE. Ya know?
Hailey (Hai) Spencer Huffman:
Age: 23
Pre-Race City: Wake Forest, NC
What is your hidden talent?
“I mean, I can break concrete.”
If you can have any job in the world, what would it be?
Something that would keep my interest for a long time, fun, has a routine that is routinely changed.
How do you think your friends would describe you?
Full of bad puns and dad jokes – adventurous – fun – can talk to just about anything
If you could travel to one place in the world, where would it be?
I’ve always hated this question…like can we not just go everywhere? I guess if I had to pick…somewhere which incredible mountain views- probably in South America or Europe.
Beach or Mountains? Argue your answer.
Live in the mountains because there’s so much to do and you’re just in awe of the beauty every single day. Vacation at the beach because water, tans, and spike ball.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Supernatural ability to learn languages.
Ashley (Ash) Noelle Butterfield:
Age: 21
Pre-Race City: Nashville, TN
What is your hidden talent?
My back is double jointed.
If you can have any job in the world, what would it be?
If I could have any job, it’d be a job where I got to do everything I loved: working out, caring for orphans, encouraging others in their walk with God, psychology, and helping others. I would be a personal trainer who encourages a mind-body- spirit emphasis on the importance of taking care of your bodies, especially as Christians, we need to take care of the temple God lives in and make it as best as we can because he deserves the best. Also a public speaker who encourages others to step out into what God has called them to, additionally I love learning more about God / the Bible so I’d love to have a place to share that with as many people as possible. I also want to be able to do missions work with unlimited funds and start an orphanage, yet I also would want to be a doctor who could help those (especially my orphans who were sick) but also a therapist who could help others walk through trauma.
How do you think your friends would describe you?
“lil tiny” – a fireball – energetic – full of life – always positive – encouraging – sees the best in everyone and calls it out of them – passionate – fearless
If you could travel to one place in the world, where would it be?
Antarctica! I want to go to a place unique that most people don’t go to.
Beach or Mountains? Argue your answer.
Beach, duh! It’s the most relaxing and peaceful time. It also can be fun. It’s a place to rejuvenate and enjoy life. I find God there the most- in the sun, the waves, and the endless grains of sand. It’s just glorious. Also who doesn’t love to be tan?
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
To speak and understand every language.
Schyler (Schy) Renee Nelson AKA…me 🙂
Age: 26
Pre-Race City: Dallas, TX
What is your hidden talent?
“I can impersonate any fart noise with my mouth.”
If you can have any job in the world, what would it be?
I would own my own gym and name it, “Kingdom Builders.” Everything would be faith focused. Personal trainers would grow clients physically, but more importantly, spiritually. Side job…I would open up doggie orphanages all over the world. Dogs would be loved on, and cared for until they were healthy again. Then, I would either keep them all (lol), or find a good home for them. Let’s be honest, I would keep them all and be that crazy dog lady.
How do you think your friends would describe you?
Warm – a safe place – a peacemaker – patient – driven – full of grace – funny – weird – lover of all dogs
If you could travel to one place in the world, where would it be?
Switzerland! It’s been at the top of my list for years. No specific reason other than….uhhh…hello…IT’S BEAUTIFUL!
Beach or Mountains? Argue your answer.
Beach! It’s where I feel Jesus the most. It reminds me of just how big God is, and how little I am. It makes me feel so small, but so seen and loved by a BIG God. It fixes my eyes on His beauty.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Duplication! If I didn’t want to be somewhere I could just duplicate myself and peace out.
