meet my team!!

I want ya’ll to know my team! As I’ve described earlier, within my squad of 43 people we are all separated into smaller “teams” of about 6 or 7. My team consists of me along with 5 other girls. Here’s a little bit about each of them! 

Kennedy Patch

Hometown: Austin, Texas

Favorite memory so far: being able to be silly and fun with teammates during team time and getting to know everyone better in that way

First off is our sweet team leader, Kenny. Kennedy is such a solid person all around. She speaks my language and understands me on a level that is really freeing. She has such a genuine love for others that is shown by her intentionality. She knows how to make people feel heard and knows how to ask questions to help others feel like they have a voice. She seeks wisdom so beautifully and strives to follow the Lord and his plan for her life in every way that she can. She’s an encourager, a prayer warrior and a leader. She’s made my worth known to me. She’s fought for me and with me. She’s made such a difference in my life already. I feel really blessed to have her as a friend and on my team this year.

Caitlin Brock

Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida

Favorite memory so far: taking communion together in the hot springs on one of our adventure days 

Caitlin is such a light. She has such a spunky, outgoing personality but is able to balance that well with deep relationship and conversation. She is someone who radiates Jesus by the having such a beautiful knowledge of His word and awareness of His voice in her life. She loves people deep and knows how to celebrate people really well. She’s also incredibly mindful when it comes to her words of encouragement and isn’t afraid to push into hard conversation. She fun and brings out the lighter side of life within out team. She’s a real one. 

Sarah Nicholson

Hometown: Westminster, Maryland

Favorite memory so far: playing games with the kids at ministry

Sarah is such a sweet soul. Something that I love about her is her quiet wisdom paired with her desire to be bold. She presses into moments where courage is needed with a boldness that comes from the Lord. Her story is so incredibly beautiful and has shaped her into such a people loving, adventure seeking, woman of God. She loves kids and is so passionate about ministry. She has the silliest laugh that everyone loves. She spends a lot of time with the Lord and it’s evident by how she lives her life. I really really love her. 

Rebekah Sartain

Hometown: San Antonio, Texas

Favorite memory so far: painting bunk beds while doing ministry with teammates 

Rebekah. My bunk bed buddy. Rebekah is freaking awesome. She is the gentlest friend that I know. Her presence feels safe. She has the biggest heart for others and the maturity to love others even when it’s hard. She is always willing to lend a hand even if it requires a sacrifice of her own time. She is so self aware of her own emotions and feelings and is doing the work of learning how to take care of herself and her own needs, which has been such an encouragement and challenge for the rest of us. She loves her family, and loves all of us so well. She’s a glue that holds us together. I appreciate her and all she has to offer. 

Lydia Strickland

Hometown: Canton, Georgia

Favorite memory so far: when our team leader Connor preformed a fun song for the kids at our first day of ministry 

Lydia. Not sure I’d make it this year without her. She the mom of the team and she has the biggest desire to take on that role full force. She wants and desires to make sure that everyone is taken care of. She’s already dug splinters out of my feet, given me copses amounts of hydrocortisone cream for bug bites and so much more. Health issue? Lydia’s got it under control. Not only is she helpful in that way but she is such an easy person to get along with and dives into vulnerability so well. She never complains when she would have every reason to a lot of the time. She’s such a joyful spirit that adds so much to the dynamic of our team. Things wouldn’t be the same without her. 

Jenny Walsh

Hometown: Ankeny, Iowa

Favorite memory so far: getting to be back with hosts that she has been with before on her race and being able to see how they are doing

Jenny is the squad leader that just so happens to get to hang out with our team specifically this month! Jenny is one of the best listeners I’ve ever known. She listens with such intentionally and has a way of making people feel incredibly cared for and known. Jenny provides an open space for grief and pain to surface but then matches it with so much grace and truth. She’s a fighter. She leads really well by somehow mixing leadership and humility with ease. She’s fun and loves to laugh and create space for the fun things in life. She’s made me feel incredibly seen on this team and has validated me in ways that I didn’t know I needed, which has pushed me into deeper spaces with the Lord already. I’m really grateful for her and her willingness to walk alongside us.