Hi everyone! Here is an update on what is happening month 5 of the World Race.
This month we had our first ever team changes! So this means I have changed teams and am with a whole new set of women to take on the rest of the race with. The reason they do this is because they want you to continue and challenge yourself with different team dynamics. My new team’s name is TORCH and I truly believe every single one of these women are filled with the Holy Spirit and truly want to chase after God. Now, transitioning to a new team is not easy. I was with my old team for 4 months and we experienced so much together. We experienced traveling through South America and starting in Asia together. We experienced unity as the body of Christ in ministry. We experienced hardships on sickness, injuries, past wounds, and so much more. We experienced climbing rainbow mountain and Machu Picchu together. We experienced going through really tough, dry times to being so on fire for God that nothing could stop us. So overall, I am going to miss doing just everyday life with these girls. They have challenged me, loved me, sat with me, pushed me, cried with me, and encouraged me. These past months with my team were some of the best moments of my life.
So to my old team:
Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love you guys and I could not imagine doing the beginning of this race with anyone else. You girls are family. You all have shown me how to love and be loved. We have been apart of some of the most amazing ministries together. We have seen heaven come down. We have been poured into by our hosts. We have been welcomed in like we are family. We have made so many friendships along the way. These past four months have changed me and you girls play such a important role in all of it. Thank you for seeing the good in me, but loving me the same when the ugly shows.
Here are some of my favorite memories:
– Having our own room in Colombia and having girl talk almost every night. Serious bonding times.
– Jamming in multiple Uber rides. We love to sing at the top our lungs with the windows down!
– Valentine’s day watching pride and prejudice & eating ALL the Oreo balls. For real, who needs a boyfriend?
– Power of Words night in Ecuador, Holy Spirit MOVED through all of us and we saw the unity in our team.
– Dressing up for the wedding & helping the bride glam up! BEST NIGHT! We miss you Ecuador!
– Experiencing and climbing to the top of Rainbow Mountain and Machu Picchu together! Now this was the experience of a lifetime.
– ALL the mall trips (our team loves to browse) and #chilis enough said.
– The dance party after the youth night in Peru. This team always knew how to have fun!
– Dressing up for Easter in our Saree’s and having a mini photoshoot. Fierce.
– Getting POURED into spiritually by our host family in India and becoming apart of their family.
– All the worship nights, specifically the one where we painted together. These always held so much beauty. Our team loved to worship!
– Hiking Cajas in Ecuador and seeing ALL of God’s glory come alive!
– Making our first (and only) music video to “Ain’t no man”
– Our signature outfit of all black and space buns.
– All the hospital visits (sorry mom) 🙂
– Traveling the world together experiencing all the smells, all the sad goodbyes, and all the new experiences
So with that being said,
Laurie, thank you for leading this team with so much patience and grace. Thank you for taking on the role of my big sister and being such a great example for me to follow. You are sunshine.
Macie, thank you for always remaining true to yourself. You have such a merciful soul and have always walked in so much love for the innocent. Also, team mom for sure. She always found herself with the babies!
Shondra, thank you being you. You hold such authenticity and the way you love God is contagious. I have loved getting to know you and see you open your arms to whatever God is doing in you.
Em, thank you for being one of the most selfless people I know. The way you love is so evident of your relationship with Jesus. Thank you for serving this team so well. You are one in a million.
Valerie aka Valerina, you have a heart of pure gold. You are patient and are always willing to listen. God has big things in store for you and I can’t wait to see you walk in His faithfulness. All His promises are yes & amen.
Nikki, yay! You are on my new team too! You hold so much loving kindness for the people around you. You are open to ask the hard questions and want people to reach their full potential.
Thank you team for being who you are. This has already been such an adventure!! Till next time…
-Shelby
