Love one another.

From left to right: Karina, Steve, Lindsey, Derek, me (Raquel) and Juan Carlos.

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 1 Peter 3:8

I was reminded this past week how relationships take time. Friendships don't just happen from night to day, but rather require time to develop. The only team members I knew coming into STINT were Karina and Derek from Project last year. I feel like I'm slowly getting to know my teammates better. We are such an interesting mix of people, all so different. And yet I'm really embracing our uniqueness.

I spent some time this afternoon praying over our team, but more specifically praying for my relationship with each of them, and their relationship with each other. I started thanking God for the qualities that I admire about each of them.

Something I'm very grateful for is that we're learning to be open and honest with each other. We also have a lot of fun together and laugh a lot. I know we're not perfect and there will be times when we'll get frustrated with each other, but my prayer is that we will learn to deeply love one another as it says so in 1 Peter. Only by abiding in Christ can that occur.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8