Hello y’all! It is 10:30pm and I wanted to connect with you as my dear team…keep scrolling…
First of all, if you are waiting for a fundraising goal update…so am I :o)! Crossing my fingers it comes soon! I’m guessing there are lots of funds coming in right now for all of us racers, so it seems things might be taking a little longer to load…growing in patience with you ;o). Like a kid in a candy shop! If you’re here to join this team, NOW is the time! See the “Good Job! You found it!!!” post to learn more.
Second of all, I thought I’d let you prayer warriors in on what’s been happening this week…
Here is a picture of the back of one part of my van as a little window, or lack thereof, (no pun intended, until I realized that it was a pun and now it is intended) into this week:
This happened Thursday, August 28th. Getting ready for The World Race is already full of details, details, and more details…then add a U-Haul truck inserted into your van, and life, and things get a even more interesting. It was such an avoidable fluke that I know God has to have beautiful plans for all of this! I’d love prayers for all the logistics to work out as He sees fit! We’re in a bit of a time crunch…(another no pun intended until after the fact…).
I was in my van with my dear friend Laureen who was down visiting and being a peach helping…we celebrated 15 years of friendship in the ER together that night ;o). Remember, coveting is a sin ;o). At least the company was stellar :o)!
At first it was like the wind was knocked out of my sails…I had just made the final trip to the storage unit and was about to go to Ohio the next morning to visit my family and little nephews, when stopped at a light…BAM! At first it was surreal, then I was a bit shaky just from the impact and realization, and then realized that I now, in fact, was not done, and a whole new set of logistics, phone calls, time schedules, aches, etc. had just come about. And then it was that TRUST ME thing again…thankful that is always an option and a promise for good.
I’m fairly exhausted, but tiredly joyful even so, and wondering if I’ll ever get that “I’m done” feeling (I like lists, so I was so excited for this moment :o)). I’ve grieved a bit here and there about probably missing out on that moment to the exact extent (maybe you know what I mean…when you can just sit back and know that you know that you are finished and can just revel in that moment for a little while), but grateful for that peace thing that surpasses understanding…thank God :o), and I have a feeling that this could be yet another great training for a year of unexpected happenings and uncertainties.
So, this is the verse that surfaced…we can be hard pressed…but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-12) and In God We Trust can remain as intact as ever both literally and figuratively. More than we expected, maybe, but He’s got this (His words :o)).
I’m hoping this all works out splendidly…and quickly!…as I leave for Atlanta on FRIDAY (It’s really happening, y’all!) and then India a few days after! Please keep all of this in your prayers…the logistics, the details, and most importantly, that not one drop is wasted for what God intended through all of this. “ALL things work together for the good…” Romans 8:28 Right now it feels like going to India and starting the World Race could be the most relaxing thing! So funny…Perspective, people, God’s good at giving perspective :o). It was also nice that the XRay lady thought I was 19…that alone might make this whole thing worth it…that was an awesome perspective! God bless you, Donna!
My parents have come down to get me and have been so helpful, too, since I no longer could drive up. My sister helped with backpacking tips and my housemate has cooked some delicious omelettes and both of them tried to help by massaging jolted muscles :o). My bro and sister in law have been good at praying and asking how things are going from Ohio. So grateful for everyone. It’s really hard to have missed a week with my bro and sister in law and little ones. It’s been nice to go to a few things I didn’t think I’d be here for and am blessed by those God has put in my life. As always, SO excited for heaven when ALL of us are together…in one place…at the same time! Thank you, Jesus!
God bless you. Thank you for praying. Thank you for being here. Thank you for everything. God has BIG plans for all of us this year! It might look different than we expect…He never promised He was predictable, just that He is trustworthy.
Love and hugs and thanks,
Julia
P.S. If you’ve had, or are in, a season with a lot going on, this is phenomenal…Graham Cooke’s “Overcoming Negativity Through Rest” on iTunes.
