Welcome to Tactical Team

This week in the gray house was full of connection! On Monday, at diner, we played some fun games, like concentration! On Tuesday, I got coffee with Brighten and Emily Gampp at Short Sleeves and went to see Roots and Branches, which is where they work! It was so fun! I also did a lot of work on some practical things for the house. At all team, we had Micah and Johanna's creative showcase WHICH WAS AWESOME! Getting to see the fruit of their labors in practicum was so uplifting and I think everyone was blessed by it!

On Wednesday, I got coffee with Sage in the morning before Bible, which was so fun! We talked about camps, practicum, and what she's looking forward to in this next season.

Savannah's parents spoke at all team on Thursday, which was very uplifting! I also had a meeting with all of the girls after all team about cleanliness in the home and how we can improve. It was received very well! I introduced a new(ish)cleaning system, which I'll share more on in a moment. They all received my feedback very well!

I wasn't home for much of Friday, but Saturday was a fun day! I worked in the morning and afternoon, then went to soccer with Alyssa. We had a great time together! Hope and Savannah also hosted some of their classmates and had burgers with them! It sounded like the evening was a huge success! They even played "We're Not Really Strangers" with the girls, and the conversations I heard were awesome! On Sunday, I took Alyssa grocery shopping, which was lighthearted and fun. The new(ish) cleaning system also worked really well! I made cleaning checklists for each task, put them in sheet protectors and then placed them in every room of the house. I asked the girls to check off every item as they completed them, and they did! The house is looking exceptionally clean!

• More awareness and consideration of each other (loving you neighbor type vibe)
• Peace over my homesick girlie
• Health! One of my girls got sick last week and I say, no more!
• Sunny weather!

I'm just so thankful to be with all of the girls in this season of my life. They're very life giving, spunky, and caring. Seriously, though, I had dinner with Gilby at Creekside and realized that while that place is familiar with well developed relationships, a new side of myself--a kind of silliness and lightheartedness--has been brought out. Also, I've felt like I can rest and be rejuvenated in a home because of the creative and relaxing White House atmosphere.

The gals have continued buying into their relationships with one another in very powerful and intentional ways. A simple and precious example is when I saw Anna, Norah, and Gabbie snuggled up together on the couch watching the Notebook (it was Norah's first time). I enjoyed hearing about their impressions about the movie. An instance of sacrificial sisterhood was when, last Monday, Anna woke early at 1 a.m. to drive Gabbie to the airport to pick up Enoch. Although she had Launch at 7:30 a.m. and work right after that, she said that she felt so awake the entire day lol. I love her sense of others-centered friendship. The next morning afterwards, someone anonymously left a plate of Flik homemade barbeque chips and chocolate-pretzel barks. Later on, Johanna made homemade pancakes (even GF ones!) for the whole house before our Friday house gathering! I think that the mundane life can actually be taken with intentionality; the White House gals are very good with expressing encouragement, affection, and service.

I also chatted with Norah this past Tuesday. Her love of learning and friendship has really impressed me. From conversations with her and Gabbie, I think C10 is now stepping past the honeymoon phase and navigating their beliefs and class disagreements, as well as who they want their close friends to be.

Dear God, You are my Helper and Shelter. Thank You for always being there, sustaining me ever since I existed. I pray that You give this house a sense of security, that while hardships can be wearisome and circumstances be unpredictable, we can continue lifting our eyes to our Maker. Please give us wisdom, peace, and clarity during this season in particular, Lord, and may we always find a reason to rejoice in the hope we have only in You. Amen.

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It's been a pretty chill week at Creekside. I think Boost month was great, with the scheduled activities. It gave students something to plan for and look forward to. The reading night and craft night both seemed to have great turnout!

I connect with the women mostly in the evenings when I'm cooking and meal-prepping. There are a handful of us that do a lot of cooking, so the kitchen has been a great spot to chat with the women and talk about their days.

Thank you, Lord, for simple every-day life. Thank you that I get to do life with each of these women. Thank you for the fun little moments that we have with each other. In Jesus' name, amen.

One of the most fruitful and encouraging weeks since I started captaining for the blue house. I think most of the guys are starting to get it! Language, complaint, and cleanliness have all improved. We had the blessing of being able to host Josh and Shannon for dinner tonight, the guys hosted super well and I’m proud of them. Connection during boost month was successful and meaningful.

• That I would receive grace, living in light and truth. I am passionate about receiving health in this season of discipleship.
• Logan would continue to soften
• Jackson would know honor, unity, and dignity within the church as a beautifully carried out lifestyle.
• Josh would keep his spirit well fed.

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This past week, I believe a tough situation caused frustrations and other questions a few of the fellas had to boil to the surface. I could tell some of the guys were wrestling with some things. I was reminded of the importance of encouraging the guys to bring questions and concerns to light as soon as possible. Last week was heavy for some of the guys, and for others, it was just another week.

Pray for more genuine unity and that, amidst the guys that have left or are leaving, the ones that do stay would stand strong. It is my prayer that the Dixon will become more of a place of rest, peace, and redemption every day.

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Freedom house is alright this week! Couple guys have a stomach bug but besides that we’ve been experiencing great connection and a healthy home atmosphere.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the coming of spring and the promise of warmer days. Thank you for being faithful and consistent no matter what. Thank you for the growth that’s happening in our lives in the freedom house, and the opportunities that we have to do this with you. Would you provide more open windows of time for the guys to get to do things all together, and increase the desire in all of our hearts for that? Thank you Jesus, amen.