Hey everyone!

We’re officially one week into Training Camp!

Just like every week (in different capacities) this week has been happy and sad and exciting and new and nerve-wracking and filled with so much joy. Ive heard stories and testimonies that broke me. I’ve had the opportunity to rejoice with those who rejoice, and I’ve been brought back into a space where everywhere I turn I get to step into the role of being my sister’s keeper.

I truly am so honored to be put in this place for these people at this time.

T squad holds such a special place in my heart already. There are 2 words I would use to describe this little family: tender and gentle.

They are so willing, constantly encouraging, ever so gentle, vessels of grace, so strong as they walk through sadness, and so hungry for the daily Bread of Life.

Each day the Lord is revealing new pieces of His heart in each of them. Their different gifts are brought to the light and it’s an honor that we get to empower them in those.

They offer me so much grace, as I’m in and out with different responsibilities. They greet me throughout the day with enthusiastic “hi Rissa”s.

I literally love T squad -if you can’t tell.

And to think I wouldn’t have enough capacity to love a new squad well - what a crazy lie!

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Awesome testimony!

My heart has been so, very tender recently. It breaks throughout the day as I hear stories that broke the person sharing it.

Just a couple of days ago, I talked with a girl who is walking through, almost step by step, something I walked through leading up to and while on my race. The pain in her eyes made my heart drop and watching her tears reminded me of the moments I shed the same ones.

I got to pray with her and really needed to sit with the Lord on how to walk with her well in this. It’s a hard battle, but God is still good!

The Lord really protected my heart as I sat and listened in this precious conversation. Leaving the table, I felt honored that the Lord would have allowed me to walk through this so I could walk with her.

This week I’ve found my self in tears everyday, as I thought about people I miss or am going to miss in just a couple of days.

Yesterday I took that to the Lord and asked Him why I care so much. Why does my heart feel so sad, when maybe theirs doesn’t? Why do little things remind me of them everyday? It feels like too much.

I wrestled with that a bit.

Then, Areonah (my mentor) and I went out for coffee. We sat at Farmhouse for a couple of hours and chatted.

The Lord brought back to mind so many instances on the race when my heart shattered for people. When I felt the Lord’s heart so deeply and passionately that I was literally weak with love. I became lovesick.

I thought of the man Captain in Malaysia, and how the whole rest of that day I couldn’t stop letting tears out as my body felt so weak. I thought about the man who was drunk in Guatemala, and how I literally lost breath as I watched this man stumble into a car. I thought about Ester, and how I’d never quite felt a love like that before.

My heart feels like this toward my squad.

My heart feels like this toward the people I love here.

My heart feels like this toward ones I wish were here.

The Lord reminded me, as I felt like my emotions were too big, that it is actually an honor to hold the weight of His heart for His people. My heart quite literally aches, very often, and what a beautiful reminder to intercede!

I’ve learned that my portion for this season is intercession!

His yoke is easy and his burden is light. Yet I think He allows us to feel the weight of His heart - to be quite lovesick. I think He does this to lead us into a place of deep intercession. A place of on your face worship - praying for the ones your soul loves. I think He’s honored by that.

As hard as it is times, and as much as I don’t like missing people, what a beautiful opportunity to hold the heart of the Father. And the best way to love people is to bring them to Him - so I’m in!

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We’ve seen the Lord move so evidently this week.

He’s been setting people free, revealing things in my own heart, building relationships, sustaining the weary, and bringing SOOOO much laughter.

He’s got so much in store for this season - to God be all glory!!

Fun fact : my new favorite hobby is laughing

Song recommendation : Heavenly Hunger

https://open.spotify.com/track/3Qopw14OfKkdUNiTU3MdPx?si=izppxbMTTSuQA-DS4yJVNg&utm_source=copy-link