Warning: NERD ALERT! This blog is going to give you a glimpse into the nerdier side of me :)

Something I've really enjoyed in recent years with my parents is watching the show 'The Crown.' If you've never heard of it, it is a historical drama that chronicles the life of the late Queen Elizabeth and the rest of the royal family. It can get a bit dicey, but I believe it is a pretty accurate reflection of their personal lives and the unwanted burden it is to be born royal.

In the most recent season, the queen is getting older and life around her is really difficult. A beautiful analogy is created between Queen Elizabeth and the royal yacht Britannia. The ship was commissioned in 1954 and if you trace the journey of the ship, you can clearly see the life and adventures of Elizabeth herself. Her relationship with Britannia and her relationship with the crown go hand in hand. Once, she called Britannia, "a floating, seagoing expression of me." Unlike monarchs before her, Elizabeth was involved in intimate details of making this ship her own; down to paint colors and woodwork. Britannia took the royal family back and forth to their summer home in Scotland, carried newly-married royals to their honeymoons in other countries, and even hosted Ronald Reagan, Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill, and several others. When the cost of maintenance and necessary repairs became too much, Britannia was decommissioned as the official ship of the royal family. In 1997, Elizabeth and Charles waved goodbye to their home on the sea with tears of reminiscence.

During her speech commissioning the ship, just a few months after her coronation, Elizabeth famously said, "“I hope this brand-new vessel, like your brand-new queen, will prove to be dependable and constant, capable of weathering any storm."

You're probably wondering where I'm going with this history lesson. When I think back over my time with my previous team, SDR,  and serving as their team leader, the relationship between Elizabeth and Britannia came to my mind. Stepping into a brand new role, one that carries a lot of responsibility, along with joining a brand new team was honestly a lot for me to handle. I wanted to keep this team afloat and prove to myself and to my squad that I could steer this ship with grace and confidence.

I've learned so much about myself and about my God from the of adventure serving as team leader. This ship has become a home to me. I have poured my heart into it and am sad to see it retired, and my role with it. It has been a high honor to give out of the overflow of my relationship with God and to be surrounded by such amazing women. I have learned what it looks like to be an introverted and gentle leader. I have learned how to approach the throne of grace with confidence. I have learned that I can do nothing without Him who strengthens me.

The ship that SDR has become is a ship full of dreams for the future, courage to step into the unknown, true friendship, and one that is capable of weathering the roughest of storms.

Maggie, Mikahla, Olivia, Kirsten, and Lexy,

You have spurred on my sanctification, shown me where I've looked like Jesus and also where I haven't, made me laugh, pushed me towards discipline, and walked beside me through it all. I am so proud of this ship and how we've sailed through a myriad of seasons. While it is sad to say goodbye to this team and to this role of team leader, I can't imagine sailing a different ship. It has been an absolute blessing to build this ship with you from the ground up. You are my shining stars.

Polaris, Halley's Comet, Orion, Pegasus, and Andromeda, I love you.

Love, Carol

I have now stepped into the role of storyteller! I am thrilled for this new season. P squad made it to the Middle East!!! Time is flying. 90 days until I'm home! More blogs to come!