Welcome to Tactical Team

This week, I got to spend some time with Sage and the campers! On Monday, I taught on servant leadership, then hung out with Sage afterwards. We walked around lake Tomahawk and talked about how this first camp is going and about the lessons she learned from the last. This group of camps is definitely more introverted than the last one, so she's been navigating how to bring the engird, while not forcing anything. I advised her to continue to plan some fun things, but also leave some evenings open and give the girls space to do their own thing! We also visited Talia at Spice It Up! She is in her element over there! She's so knowledgeable about the different items they carry and interacts with the customers so well! Back to Sage and camps though, on Sunday, I also got to do the scavenger hunt with them on Sunday. What an adventure! Sage really is doing an amazing job. In other news, Alyssa is feeling much better than she did last week. She's started going to work again as well as reading at home and in class. No issues so far! All team on Tuesday was a Guy-Girl breakout. Savannah took a funny video showing the dichotomy of men and women that night. The ladies all had a great time scrapbooking while the guys played some sort of sport in the tent! All in all, a successful night. It's been really nice, having a group of girls on campus who enjoy more crafty things! On Wednesday, one of my C10 girls gave me the news that she plans on moving back home over July break. She was very positive and kind about it though. She said she had no ill will, but that she had an opportunity back at home that she didn't want to pass up. She also told a few of the others over dinner and, while we were all a bit sad, everyone kept it light and wished her well. I hope to plan some sort of send off for her and Savannah soon. On Thursday, the Carlsons came and spoke at all team. Unfortunately I wasn't feeling too well that evening, so I didn't stay long past 8:30pm, but I heard it went well and many people were blessed! Friday and the weekend weren't as eventful, but the scavenger hunt, which I mentioned earlier, was so much fun. I also got to work with Brighten at Ridgecrest (she's doing a great job) and on Sunday, Hope hosted several friends for dinner. They all had a great time and cleaned up afterwards as well! As far as the tone of the house this week, I'd say it's been anticipatory, as people prepare for upcoming traditions (moves, graduation) but also steady with some of them settle into new rhythms (practicum, C10's first full year).

• Ease of transition
• Momentum and spirits to stay high
• New friendships and deepening of old ones

This week has been a continuation of heart to hearts.

Tuesday was seriously a day of rejuvenation for me. In my season of life, Shannon’s chat about professional development was super applicable to me. The upstream and downstream concept reminded me of a saying that “You’re one person away from impacting a thousand.” Not only is it a gift and entrustment, but it also brings a hyper-intentionality about the choices, thoughts, and actions I choose into. Also, we talked about the send-and-delete method and availability boundaries so I don’t get overwhelmed with communication.

That same evening, we had a guy/girl breakout. No matter how nervous or at ease she is, Katie seems to consistently do AMAZING with engaging with others. I loved chatting with friends and creatively crafting vision boards over chocolate, berries, and sweet music. Lately, I’ve been wanting to personalize my room more so it doesn’t look like a robot occupies it. My vision board actually has a place in my room where it spotlights the things I most care about.

During Wednesday’s sunset, Gabbie, Norah, and I belly laughed like crazy over playing with a random frisbee in the parking lot. Then, we had relaxing conversations over ice cream on our outdoor porch. I cannot stress enough how enjoyable the space is; Laura, you really have contributed so much to White House’s culture through the kind gifts you’ve given us. That night, I had a deep conversation with Gabbie about personal life.

On Thursday, Gabbie and I also hung out some while cooking in the kitchen. That night was the Carlson’s testimony. I enjoyed hearing their story of healing miracles again with the new class.

On Saturday, I drove Gabbie to work, went on a 20-minute run with Summer, and went to Trader Joe’s with Talia and Margaret. That day was full of perception, challenge, and reward. Also, Talia, Margaret, and I stopped at Blue Cone to see our beloved Johanna while she was visiting. It was fun to debrief our lives and share words of encouragement together.

Sunday, I went with Talia to her church. It was a really beautiful experience, and the sermon was literally tied to practicum: stewardship, shrewdness (the parable of the dishonest manager), and fidelity. Then I ate lunch at Arabella at Hendersonville with Riley and her mother. We also had a heart-to-heart about our spiritual journeys thus far during the car ride, and discussed the heart of education over really good food.

Hi Abba,

Thank you for the opportunity to celebrate the well-stewarded, hard-earned milestone accomplishments of C8. Thank you for the opportunity of the school, and how the faculty and founders have provided my generation with a bridge that gaps the academic-workplace dissonance in America. Thank you for sustaining us in paying off tuition as we go, goal-setting and accomplishments, and rolling tides of change. Please help us lean into You as our solid rock when things get tumultuous. Your Son is the Prince of peace, and we are children of light. I pray for the whole home that we operate from–not for–a place of joy, peace, and hope.

In Jesus’ powerful and beautiful name,

Amen.

Monday house dinner was fun. It was a good turn out and Ellie joined us. She asked everyone to share what was new for them this week. (How ever you want to interpret that). It was a great prompt to get people talking about their weeks. Tuesday was a very fun guy/girl breakout night! Katie led us women in making vision boards. It was a really great time, of sitting with the Lord and asking him for ideas, before jumping in and making the boards. The ladies in the house loved it. In fact, it was pretty funny, when we got home from All Team, about 4 of them needed to borrow my glue stick, because they hadn't completed their boards. We definitely have a bunch of very artistic and creative women in this house!

Wednesday house dinner was one of the smallest yet! I traded with Aaliyah and was on that cook team, and besides the 3 of us on cook team, Rachel Brewster was the only other one who came! But we saved a lot of leftovers for the women who couldn't make it. And we still had good convos about our days.

Thursday All Team was the teaching by the Carlsons. I loved hearing their testimony again, and it seemed like a lot of the women were touched by it. I honestly didn't really hear anyone's thoughts on it yet specifically. But I heard I need to ask Riley Floyd and Caydance about their experience because they apparently stayed very late.

On Tuesday night, Makana suggested we go around the house and anoint it and pray over it, so we did just that!

• For the dishes...
• For sleep
• For good communication

Fear’s grip is becoming something that doesn’t have a hold of many of these men’s lives anymore. I have been really intentional about pressing into the places where fear has taken control in their lives. They are outwardly expressing the gratitude for another and serving more willingly. There is good things on the horizon and good things already here.

For peace and understanding to be the basis of our conduct.

It's been a pretty good week. The guys are getting along well and everyone has enjoyed the first week of the virtues government module. House cleanliness could use some work.(Planning to address that at the house meeting tomorrow). Outside of that it's been a pretty regular week.

That we would continue to have an increasingly positive attitude in the house and be a house of men with a hunger for the Lord. And be in communal pursuit of him.

This has been an exciting week! Micah and I announced the move to the guys. Petras and Sanders seem super on board and excited to settle in. The guys here are super excited to welcome them in as well. They moved in yesterday, and both guys said the move was a lot easier than they thought it was gonna be, which was great to hear. I was gone this weekend to go home for my younger sister's high school grad party, which was amazing, and Lucas was the point of contact again. Super excited for this new time in Freedom.

Lord, I pray over this home and everyone in it. I pray you make your presence known in this house, and we all grow closer to you through each other. Prepare me for this new season with the new members of the house. Prepare the guys and me for this week, that we will look to you in all scenarios, and be more Christ-like with every passing day.