This is my squad. Gap 23.

When I say they are the coolest people on the planet, I mean it. These are the people I have lived life with on the field for the past five months. They are a people who push each other closer to Christ every single day. 

"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord"

Psalm 150:6

We are a squad of worship. From day one, this squad has worshipped with no restraints; from intercession, to good ole fashion worship, to everything in between. We set the tone in a space, and always invite the Holy Spirit in. These people have shown me what it is to worship freely, giving everything to the Father. These people have shown me what it is to be obedient to the Spirit in small and big moments. They have shown me what it is to truly worship.

"This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it"

Psalm 118:24

We are a squad of celebration. We have dance parties like NO ONE'S BUSINESS. We go crazy for birthday's and literally any excuse we have to celebrate, we do it. We value that everyone feels seen and known and our celebration shows that. These people have shown me what true joy is and how much freedom is found in genuinely that out. When we're together, it is nonstop joy and celebration. The joy of the Lord truly is our strength as a squad and it is powerful.

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another"

Proverbs 27:17

We are a squad who sharpens. We call each other higher, carry each other's burdens, and each carry something unique and different that we can all learn from. We are bold and desire to sharpen each other. I always know that those around me have my best in mind, and this is such a comfort.

Our name, Gap 23, was chosen by our mentor Hailey based off of Psalm 23. In Psalm 23, the main focus is on the Shepherd and His sheep. This parallels to how the Father is our Shepherd, and we His sheep. We are a squad who walks in remembrance of who our Shepherd is, and walks alongside each other as we learn how to be His sheep. We are each learning every day what it is to be a child of God.

This squad is powerful! I am so grateful that the Lord has given me the opportunity and honor to live and learn from them throughout this season. As we enter the last few weeks of the race, I am beginning to sit and reflect on this journey and process all that has happened. And this squad is a huge part of that journey. They are family.

Gap 23, I love you.

Thank you for everything.