"You have the type of personality that generally irritates me."
"You have the personality that usually hurts my feelings."
This was the first exchange that I can remember between myself and Sidney Ann. It was training camp and as part of the experience, half of us lost our bags. She and I had decided to hammock right next to another. I had been around Sid during training camp. I saw a girl who was loud and without the discretion needed to be quiet at times. Being that I'm a cut to the chase kind of person, I initiated the above conversation.
Well, fast forward… God knew what he was doing when he put us on a team. Turns out, I could not have been more wrong about Sidney Ann. She is full of energy and excitement that stems from joy in her heavenly Father and spills over into her laughter and smile. Her wisdom at 22 years old has time and again pushed me to greater heights. She saw me as a great encourager and helped me step into that. Sid taught me so much about the angels knowing that I would need to call upon them.
Sidney Ann became one of my closest friends. She listens when I need a friend. She shared her life with me over coffee and took my hand as I was baptized in a fountain in Antigua. She broke down my physical touch barriers by constantly laying in my lap. God truly blessed me through her.
Then, at month 2 debrief, Sidney Ann was asked to be team leader for another team. That meant that she would be leaving our team. I felt my heart break. How could God take her from me? I sat on the floor of that room and cried. The experience was almost surreal. Robbie was smiling at me rejoicing in the fact that I was allowing emotion and grief. I was holding the hand over one of the Team Isha girls.I can't say that I was angry. I was just sad. I almost felt as though I was looking ground.
But God has greater plans that we have for ourselves. We were a training ground for Sidney Ann so that she could go to greater heights. Likewise, she helped prepare us so that we can achieve great things. I know that this month 3 in Nicaragua would be easier for me if she was here with me; but, I know in my heart, that this would not be for the greater purpose. I have no doubt that this will cause me to grow. Nicaragua will stretch us. It will mold us. It will cause us to lean more fully on God and, for that, I praise Him.
