We just watched KJ Blair’s vimeo per suggestions from my fellow Team Asia Squadmates! I’ve watched this about 10 times now and can’t watch it without the joyful tears welling! I’m so amazed, ecstatic…and a smidgen intimidated ;o)! Thank God for God! He’s good at putting us where we need Him, and joyfully so! It’s all one village and if you’re watching this, you’re a part of it, too! Going to attempt to link it here…
Here’s a look at THE WORLD RACE!!!
Quote from my former student Jillian, “I’m so glad you’re doing this! People say, “I’d like to do that.” You get to say, “I’m DOING that!” Love it. She’ll be teaching me more guitar chords today!
Also, here are a few of the INCREDIBLE, HUMBLING, PRECIOUS things that have happened so far…THANK YOU GOD AND THOSE HE’S BROUGHT to join in this epic mission! Other stories are throughout this blog. Here are some stories from my personal support village!
The first small group I ever went to talk to was a group named Transit at my church. It’s a group of young adults who are on fire for Jesus and others. My gosh, they blew me away! The God stories they shared were so encouraging and then they started coming up with ideas and I was just informed on Sunday that they are sincerely carrying them out! My tear ducts have been in amazed tears overdrive lately, I tell you! This weekend they are hosting a Parents’ Night Out and doing childcare to raise donations for my race! THANK YOU. THANK YOU! What a joy to see people of all ages getting involved.
There is so much God is doing! Gosh, I can’t do it all justice, but here are some…
So many blessings…
There is a small group my friend Kandi goes to that she has been talking about so highly of. I went this past Thursday. My goodness, I still don’t think I have words for my experience there. It was pure and simple LOVE. They have been together for a long time now, over 10 years, and know each other so well that I actually didn’t know whose house, of all of them, I was actually at! Everyone helped with everyone else’s kids to the point that I actually wasn’t sure which kids belonged to which adult either! What a clear, clear view of the body of Christ working seamlessly and beautifully. Everyone brought food for the literal smorgasbord! This time…all Asian :-). They were actually so interested in what was going on that the theme for the night was Asian food. I am tearing up again just thinking of this group, their warmth, their joy and care, they’re realness, their honesty, laughter, giving, and love. After eating together, we sat down and Steve…who, with his wife Karen, actually own the house :-), led a discussion of Philippians 1. The insights brought me into this first chapter of one of my favorite books as never before. I won’t do it justice if I tried, but it was such a gentle and firm reminder of the meaning of thankfulness, friendship, and child-like understanding of God’s heart for us and our purpose here. When they asked about hearing about my trip, I was saddened to not continue to learn together in this way. As I shared, I was amazed yet again with the focused interest on the journey God is calling me to. Then they tossed “the prayer pillow” 🙂 on the floor. I sat on it and they gathered around and sincerely and passionately prayed for me and all that was on their hearts in relation to the pre, during, and even after portions of this mission God is calling me to. Then they gave! Out of their own pockets. And Steve shared that the way this would work was that they’d keep sending gifts until God told them to stop. I honestly was so dumbfounded and humbled by their care, that I don’t even think I could process how to respond. To feel cared for, really cared for, it felt so so good, so, so many things. There aren’t words. I had done nothing to “deserve” this care from them. Here come the tears again. God, is this how you love us? Yes. And your word says it is, too. How? Why? And thank you. Simple. Understated. And sincere.
Before this, I had a meeting with some librarians from my county…Stafford, VA! They had secretly taken up a collection from some of the librarians at the various schools and blessed me with their support and interest. So grateful. So, so touched. Thank you. Thank you.
Another precious librarian who has commented on this blog surprised and shook me by giving and sharing that she had put it on her calendar to pray for me 365 days this year. Just to clarify…that’s every day!!! Thank you. Unreal.
In my own small group, they have been awesome! They have prayed even before I knew all the ways God was going to call me to this trip and this route and have been part of the answers at times! Several have ordered the shirts and others have made commitments to give. Thank you!!! I love spending time with you each week. Though we haven’t been together for the years yet, as above, even in these first months there are already the joys of our time together and the designs for meaningful depth and true community. Thank you!
My friend Annette and I stopped by Plato’s Closet to attempt to find some cheaper clothing for the journeys ahead! She is good at clothing and while I was changing, when I asked if she saw any cardigans, she came bearing a whole stack that she piled on until her arms hurt! Well…needless to say, there was a winner in the stack! Thank you!!!
There really are so many stories and I fear leaving others out.
My wonderful parents pulling me into a group hug and speaking tender prayers and investing in my journey.
Volunteers, students, and teachers at my school really wanting to help and support and hear about what is going on with me and this new step. All of it, too much for words.
A sweet lady named Ariona that I’ve never met…yet :o)…contacting me that she found my blog and would be with me along the journey and shared encouragements…thanks God! He takes our weaknesses and works them to good…aka blogging!
Dear friends in North Carolina and Ohio where I lived before helping with various aspects and supporting and praying and encouraging. Gracious.
Meeting people for the first time at a Juice Plus conference this weekend and having them want more information and being truly interested. My friend Leigh Anne wanting to hear more and getting so excited about getting my prayer bookmark.
My friend Laureen, who I will be spending time with at the Ignite Conference very soon :o), praying with me, being so faithful to pray and encourage!
My creative sister Laura coming up with fundraising ideas…like a kickball tournament!
My college roommate Molzie and her little ones Emma, Micah, Saralyn, and Calvin (all 5 and under! Hello and hugs :o)) following this blog already and looking up the places I’ll be going!
My housemate Mel helping me put together the intro videos…you can see them on the SQUAD WARS! Intro videos post!!!
Good gracious…so many! Don’t want to leave any out and ultimately it all goes back to…Thanks, God!!!
If you’re here to join Team SUSHI: Let’s Roll! Sending U Some Hope Internationally and fund me financially…
To give, you can click “Support Me” (or scroll to the bottom if you’re on a phone) for an online donation, OR send a check to:
Adventures in Missions
P.O. Box 742570
Atlanta, GA 30374-2570
Please make all checks out to Adventures in Missions and write “Julia Goll” in the memo line.
Thank you so much!
