I learned a lot about love. And I'm not talking about the mushy romantic kind. And I learned most of what I did about love through my amazing team. Amazing doesn't even really cover you guys. So here's a little something for you. (:
Dear best team ever,
(Shreela, Jessica, Stevie, Melynda, Mark, Tim, David, Lucas, Jon, and Colleen)
First off. I love you guys. I love each and every one of you for more than just the fact that I spent a month with you and sharing some once in a lifetime experiences with you. You are all amazing and genuine people. And I also love you as a group, I never want to forget the community we built and that I got to be a part of.
Being with you ten wonderful people taught me so much, and filled a huge empty space in my heart. I thought I had known what it felt like to be accepted and loved as a person. But what I thought I knew was totally wrong. When I'm with you guys I feel loved and valued for who I really am. I don't have to put on faces or act like something I'm not or I don't want to be right then. And you never pushed me away. I was never once torn down, or mistreated in a way that ruined my day.
What I experienced as far as group settings go, I've always had bad luck. And I almost didn't apply for YCEW because in my mind being in a group of other people meant that I was going to get hurt and it wasn't going to be a safe environment for me personally. And oh boy was I wrong. I'm so glad I didn't let that hold me back, because my experience with you was the complete opposite.
I remember vividly May 14, 2010. I was so nervous to be with you all. Spending a weekend with ten other people and no way to get out scared me. I'm not going to lie. But I vividly remember walking in the heat across the Fred Meyer's parking lot to the van where the rest of you were standing and waiting for Shreela, Melynda, and I. I remember being so nervous to have to talk to you guys. Talking was never a god experience for me. And then everyone greeted us so warmly and it was so genuine. And I felt a ton better. And I remember going to bed that night with the weirdest feeling, I was happy and at peace. It was new, but I loved it. And I don't think I have ever laughed so much with other people than I did with you guys, even in just our first evening together.
And then we all went to Aguascalientes together. And I didn't want to be with anyone else. I can't think of any single person I would have rather been there with me and on our team than any of you. I mean that from way deep in my heart. I wouldn't trade my team for anything. You really did show me what it felt like to be 100% accepted, ALWAYS brought up rather than being torn down or just ignored. You showed me unconditional love. I am forever changed from this trip. God did the work in me, but I truly believe he did so much of it through the ten of you.
The way I think of myself is so much better. And I went from feeling like I had SO few true friends, and having over ten. You did much more than just bring me joy through laughter and killing each other in Mafia! (:
I love you guys. You're one of the best gifts I've ever received. I can see God so evidently in each one of you. And I know it was God that brought us together as a team and used us to build each other up. God is so amazing. And the last month I have thanked him daily for you. So if you guys ever need anything you have a life long friend in me, and some of you a little sister too!
With all my love,
Lyssa
