Things I’ll Remember 4-Ever

To celebrate four months on the mission field as a squad leader, here is a glimpse into my life on the Race in lists of fours. Enjoy! 

Four amazing things I’ve eaten

1. Pepperoni pizza at Hotel Shangri La
2. Hot chocolate and brownie in Valle de Angeles
3. Coconut banana smoothie in Siem Reap
4. Southwest turkey sandwich and Thai tea during our layover in San Francisco

Four memorable moments

1. Sitting and watching ants carry things up a brick wall for 30 mins one afternoon.
2. Watching tiny children go HAM on a piñata during children’s ministry.
3. Getting dressed up and going out for coffee on Christmas Day.
4. Spending time with my roommate Carly in Cambodia (love you, girl!)

Four things God taught me (in month order)

1. I will sustain you. Isaiah 40:29-31.
2. I am faithful. Hebrews 10:23.
3. Come to me and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28-30.
4. My grace is sufficient for you. 2 Corinthians 12:9. 

Four funny moments

1. Me trying on a children’s button-up shirt from the free table (bright yellow, probably for an 11 yr old boy, way too small, hilarious).
2. Accidentally taking THE world’s most awkward/uncomfortable/perfect photo on Christmas Eve.
3. Watching Pitch Perfect with Team Free People and dying laughing at literally everything.
4. Our bus driver randomly starting a sing-a-long on our drive to Bangkok and Alex Brown yelling “Everybody in the back tryna be dead but we ‘bout to TURN UP.”

Four moments that brought tears to my eyes

1. A little Honduran boy hugging me really tight and not letting go on just the day I needed a hug.
2. Watching the movie Lion on one of our flights (ok maybe I cried 7 times during that movie everything is fine)
3. Watching my squad pray for one another after giving a devotional on community and vulnerability.
4. Talking about God’s faithfulness with one of the Racers on my squad.

Four nicknames I’ve been given

1. Ming June (long story)
2. Drestifer
3. JB
4. Celestie

Four memories I cherish dearly

1. Staying up late and laughing with Jodi and Esther (let’s get it percolatin ladies).
2. Girls night on the roof of our house in Battambang.
3. The perfect afternoon I spent at New Hope School with Chanty, Daniel, and Esther. Taking a nap in the house, eating cookies and plantain chips, getting coffee, walking through the rice fields, and just having an overall great time on a day that started out rough.
4. Team Aggaillio blessing me with sweet prayers and encouragements during my first team time with them.

Four things I’m glad I packed

1. Essential oils, especially lavender
2. Yoga mat
3. Guatemala blanket
4. ENO hammock

Four funny texts I got from my co-leader

1. “Just had to put in the iv for the doctor lol.”
2. “Is your power out? Is it Y2K?”
3. “UPDATE. THE LA COLONIA GROCERIES HAVE AMERICAN COFFEE CREAMER AND KRAFT SHARP CHEDDAR CHEESE AND I RESISTED ALL OF IT I’M A SAINT.”
4. “I want to punch you but I know you’re right.” (In response to a text I had sent her about the fruit of the Spirit while she was mad…….lol sorry Esther *halo emoji*)

Four songs I’ve listened to on repeat

1. Into the Deep by Citipointe Church
2. No Air by Jordan Sparks
3. Joy by VaShawn Mitchell
4. Call It What You Want by Taylor Swift

Four precious children I have met

1. STEVE!!!!!!! Hilarious Cambodian kid who called me a nerd bc I wear glasses and said I look 39 and did not mean either one as an insult.
2. Britain, cute little boy I sat next to on a flight who talked my ear off about rollercoasters and asked his parents if he could visit me in California.
3. Esteban, sweet Honduran boy who hugged me really tight and wouldn’t let go.
4. Sofia, snuggly little Honduran girl who I gave a piggyback ride to.

Four things I’m looking forward to

1. Seeing our squad mentor and coaches at month 4 debrief!
2. Fresh street tortillas in Guatemala
3. Gurlz nite out with my co-leader in a few days
4. Going back to Ethiopia in two months and drinking gallons of coffee