On about day 6 of training camp, I sat on the lawn with a couple squadmates, wondering at the uniqueness of our groups connectedness.
"People have been commenting on how quickly we have meshed together. Don't you think it's unique?" says JM.
I sat and quietly pondered the group dynamic. I thought of the way people willingly shared their things when half our bags were "lost by the airline" (a group challenge to have half our bags absent for one night). It only took one second for me to think how my things could be divided so that no one would be without a place to sleep and clothes to wear.
Then, I thought about standing in the forest, applying Matt's deodorant. After a couple seconds of resisting the thought of smelling like a guy, I shrugged and took up his offer, realizing that I wasn't sure where mine was.
Then, I thought of all the moments when someone needed prayer to help them wade through the still-healing darkness in their lives and the way the squad would surround them with words of "you're worthy," "God can and will use you still," "you're beautiful."
The point of it all is that we live by community,
and we die,
fail,
and hurt without it.
I saw the movie Up in The Air, I watched as George Clooney grasped for connectedness, and I too felt dismal as the movie closed with him all alone at an airport.
God created us for intimacy, to be with one another. When we live in community, we find life. We find ourselves loved, secure, understood. With community, all those tasks that seem far too hard to juggle are suddenly doable when you know you have someone you can count on.
My sister regularly comments on how blessed we have been with one another, a family that we know we can count on. We never doubt that if we ask for a favor that it will be taken care of. The Smiths are reliable, a fact I will never take for granted. A fact I hope, at some point, you have been blessed by.
So for the next year, I will be a part of the Z Squad family. One I, in just a few days and a million Facebook posts, have come to love. I have committed myself to them, to help them in any which way that I can, and right now, we need funding.
Ten of my squadmates, including one of my squad leaders, are in danger of not being able to launch with us at the beginning of September due to a lack of funds. You, my community, continue to bless me every day with your prayers, your excitement, and your financial support. Because of this, I am currently at goal financially for the month of August.
However, if you have felt led to give at all, please also consider my squadmates. Yes, I am not yet fully funded, but I will not be left behind come Sept. 6th. Consider blessing my team with your giving, and as always, if you are not in a position to do so, please help us to pray in the amount they need!!!!
Need ranges from $200-$2800, support links can be found at each of their blogs under their profile picture:
Megan Dietrich – Z Squad Leader
Jonathan Jessee
Megan Miller
Amanda Brucki
Tiffany Chen
Marian Padilla
Maria Rocha
Kristen Pfund
Jessica Fischbach
Michelle Lasko
Emily Watkins, from the other September Squad
Remembering that it's not easy to ask for help, especially when it comes to money, please bless my squad family.
All my love and continual gratefulness for your love,
Jamie Jo
Current financial status: $6,415.51
Thanks go out to Salt Lake Christian Center, Mike and Kathleen, Mary and Jim, Danny Martinez and his family, Delia and Ed Fresco, Selma and Steve, Eunice and Al, and Grandma.
As it says in Philippians 4, thank you for all your gifts. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. In return, He will meet all your needs because it's all for His glory.
