Life Is...

Author - Jauhmar Ellick

Life is a marathon, not a sprint. I'm pretty sure most of us have heard this phrase before. It reminds us that we need to slow down and not rush. That's what The Fellowship team did this week. We had a four-day, three-night staycation here in New Braunfels, Texas. When I say that we slowed down, we really did. It was a time to get to know one another, to get closer as time continues to countdown. Sit down with us this week as we show you what it means to walk and not sprint.

I would be lying if I said I always walk in life. However, when you surround yourself with other marathon runners, it's easier to slow down and breathe. This week, we saw what God is doing in the community of Jesus' followers. And can I say, seeing and hearing the stories takes my breath away?

It started when The Yates family graciously let us use their home. It was beautiful like we were in two different houses. On one side, we were at the beach, while the other side gave the impression we were going Big Game hunting in the mountains. The team settled in quickly, dispersing to our rooms and getting comfortable. We then started to see many colors come out as we played a game called "KUBB," a very intense game, not for the weak! It started slow, as everyone was getting used to the game, then it picked up. Strategies were starting to be used, and talking ensued, leading to some funny dialogue. You can tell everyone is a competitor; they show it differently. Some were bold and confident, others more on the "assassin" side! That same energy would carry to the other games such as "Golf" and Spicy UNO. It felt like each game we played was a Game 7 or The Super Bowl. It was fun to watch and be a part of.

However, it wouldn't be a staycation without good food! We went to 3 different spots, all of them being my favorite. We started at Muck & Fuss, where they had delicious burgers and fries. Good conversation led to us getting to know each other more. The conversation did not stop there. The next day, we entered Pat's Place—a family-owned restaurant with delicious home-cooked meals. We were met by Linda, a very close friend of the program. She's really family! She told us about herself and her daughter, Lindsey Lee, and how she impacted the world. Although Lindsey is no longer with us, the impact that she left was felt! There's a room in our house dedicated to her because Lindsey Lee still wants to see the world change! I can't wait to rejoice in heaven with her one day! The last place we visited was in "Old" New Braunfels, The Gristmill. The food was amazing, and we met the youngest daughter of the Myers, Ashley, and her husband, Daniel. I can't wait to learn more about this amazing, faith-filled couple.

Finally, my favorite part was the testimonies. Hearing them reminded me of the river we floated on. A stream of emotions that couldn't be contained. We got to see the innermost parts of each other; we were in the garden again with how "naked" we were. We went to Jimmy and Beth Owens' crib to indulge in good food and great conversation. Seeing what God has done and is still doing in their lives opened my eyes. With 11 beautiful children, they were obedient when God said, "Be fruitful and multiply"! You couldn't make these stories up; if you could, they wouldn't compare. As my OG says, "God writes some amazing stories," and it's true!

Life is a journey, a roller coaster ride, a marathon, not a sprint. When you sit down and smell the roses every once in a while, life hits differently. You feel some relief from the busyness that we experience on the daily. SO AYE, slow down!!! RELAX!!! Save that stamina for the long haul, walk with us, and see what The Almighty does in our lives.