save & continue,
if you play video games
then you know that when you’re trying to
finish the game
the worst thing to happen
is a r e s e t.
we are undergoing team change as we move forward in the race and i want to take a minute to tell you about these six girls that i have had the honor to live & serve with these last four months:
JUST SEVEN LOST PANDAS SWIMMING IN A FISH BOWL MONTH AFTER MONTH
jen
the natural leader of our team, child of God
selfless. outgoing. positive. encourager.
leads by example. meets you where you are
(but won’t leave you there).
her laugh though (she has like eight different kinds)
feed her good muesli please and almond butter
preferably from trader joes.
will run herself into the ground, remind her to rest,
take time for herself, and that she doesn’t have to
do everything all the time.
likes to talk about your feelings, not hers, so give her time
and space to open up and encourage her to be vulnerable.
favorite memory: new years eve, bringing it in together
with good conversation and a bottle of wine opened
with a tent stake.
“WHAAAT!?”
word: f l o u r i s h
marissa.
the heart for worship, a well.
soulful. funny. defender. provider.
ask her to show you the pizza dance.
always has a song to share with you.
loves to have “step talks” so find a stair
or a sidewalk and sit next to her, she’ll
tell you something deep and probably make you laugh.
needs pizza, doritos, and candy canes.
when she speaks she paints pictures
asks the hard questions.
knows how to start a fire (literally & figuratively)
she likes to pour out, so make sure to remind her
it’s okay to take a minute and be poured into.
favorite memory: step chats in calama and our first team communion.
“it’s like the Lord or something”
word: c u l t i v a t e
taylor.
the mother of our team, firm foundation.
practical. quiet. generous. caretaker.
a woman of few words but when she speaks she says a lot.
the ultimate fangirl. talk to her about
any & all awesome shows,books, and movies.
this girl can cook – even with nothing but instant
mashed potatoes and a gas stove.
don’t say the word journey to her.
loves taking care of people and making sure
everyone has what they need
needs coke, cheeseburgers, and taylor swift.
sometimes doesn’t voice what she needs so encourage her to do that –
and please just sit by her, don’t let her sit alone.
favorite memory: the way she rocked it as justin in our
n*sync dance off, and the last two days of just
getting to hang out with her and laugh & chat
“[insert parks & rec / office quotes]”
word: a c c e p t a n c e .
alli.
the glue of our team, a bird.
insightful. inquisitive. willing. authentic.
she’s the human incarnation of gumby.
sometimes (or a lot of the time) she doesn’t shower
by some miracle she doesn’t smell so, you know, it’s fine.
doesn’t like to share her clothes (but will)
committed to loving our hosts and community well
and doesn’t cut corners in anything she does.
genuinely wants to know you, your life, what’s important to you and why.
doesn’t just listens but h e a r s
needs peanut butter (smooth, preferably)
loves to teach and is a scripture warrior.
needs her quiet time with God first thing in the morning
sometimes she’s afraid to rock the boat,
but remind her she knows how to swim.
favorite memory: our first real talk in the middle of the night
in a church in calama & sitting next to her on the bus with
a plastic bag on her head to “protect her from lice.” also the time she
peed on me.
“ILY”
word: w o r t h .
rashelle.
the heart of a child, rose garden.
introspective. perceptive. giving. determined.
excellent problem solver and usually has the solution while
everyone else is still trying to figure out point A.
loves children and comes alive ministering to them (and they love her).
the definition of “let the children come to me.”
sees the black and white: a woman of her word
definitely likes to comfort with physical touch so go to her if you’re
seeking comfort,
feed her chex mix please and make sure her food doesn’t touch
and the textures aren’t weird.
if you talk about spoilers for a movie or a book, she’ll spoil it:
“they all die.”
she’s slow to speak and takes her time processing, so please
take the time to listen to her, she’s worth being heard.
favorite memory: playing boggle in chile (she killed us all) and
all the times she intentionally stopped and offered to pray for me.
“i don’t understand.”
word: r o o t s.
tori.
(YOU ARE STUCK WITH ME).
the challenger of our team, sun
adventurous. discerning. sensitive. strong.
… my kindred spirit on the race.
if you want to do something crazy, ask her, she’s either
all ready done it or on her way there.
loves to lay out in the sun
our poet, a true wordsmith & romantic
needs: the sun, all food all the time.
she is a lover of people, cultures, and animals and deeply
wants to invest in them, with a heart for understanding
where people are coming from, doesn’t judge anyone
doesn’t accept anything at face value, questions everything
she is wrestling with a lot of things, give her space to work it
out and encourage her not to run away.
favorite memory: when she wrote me a note “can we talk? NOW” and we
just took off into the hills of chejje and shared
our struggles.
“i don’t care.” / “SNUFFLES.”
word: f i g h t.
but this is not a reset
this is a
save & continue.
meet my new team: the g r o o v y crew,
wendy. tori. caroline. crisitna. jenny.
let’s go, kids.