Posted in Pre-Race by Jillian Mangoni on 4/28/2012
God had Other Plans, and so Did My Friends (PT 2 of …Sense of Humor!!!)
Ok so this is part 2 of this amazing weekend where God provided more than I ever expected. I left off last blog where I had $1700 raised in 2 days, and was searching for how to raise the last bit to hit my next goal of $6500 by June 16th.
It was Saturday and my friends were throwing a party at their house. That wasn’t too unusual, they have a pretty great house that accommodates large crowds nicely. They also would try and do something for major holidays or something. I was told it was an end of the year party for all the graduates, and others leaving either for good, or just the summer. Let me preface this even more, many of my friends are still in college, or just out of college. I myself am only a year out, and am still involved in the leadership for the college ministry. With that being said, I have a lot of college friends, and the college ministry has been such a great support to me.
My friend and I was getting ready for this said “White Out” party, where you wear all white and there were going to be black lights and such. It was a cool idea, and I was excited to see everyone, potentially for the last time for some! Well we were running late, nothing new, and driving to the house. On our drive we were talking about all that God had provided this weekend, and how amazing it was that I was getting closer to my goal. We also started talking about other fundraisers that I could do before I leave. When we finally got there the street was lined with cars. The line was so long we were AMAZED! We were trying to guess who was here by the cars we recognized, but there were too many! We finally parked and made the hike to the house and went in. At this point we were about an hour late… whoops… Well when we got in, one of the guys that lived in the house got everyone gathered around, all 70 or so people stopped and listened. He started out talking about the graduates that were only 2 weeks away from receiving a diploma, and then called out our college pastor to come over and pray. That part was a little off to me, I didn’t realize our pastor was there, but little did I know… When I looked up after praying a few of my friends were in front of me holding a vase full of money, and a GIANT card full of encouraging words. The party was for me, not for anyone else, not to just have an excuse to get together, but for me, and to help me raise money. Everyone was there for me, and to help support me. They charged $5 at the door, and kept people aware and updated about my cause so that people would feel good about donating more if they wanted. They had this party planned for months, had a facebook group and everything, everyone around knew for weeks! they invited everyone and anyone. I was overwhelmed with joy and thankfulness. So we celebrated, and danced the night away! Praise God!
A couple of my friends took the jar towards the end of the night and counted out the money. They came to me with the total, and I just couldn’t believe it. Completely overwhelmed by the love from my friends, the love and provision from God I stood there in tears. Couldn’t believe it was real. The final total of that night was $2,280 raised, so that I can go travel the nations and declare the name of Jesus to the world. A bunch of broke, college age students raise over 2000 dollars for me. Praise the Lord.
The next day I was just in awe, and shocked. I could not describe in words the thankfulness I had felt. I cried most of the day. Tears of joy, tears of gratitude, tears of anxiety, and just plain tears. I still don’t have words to say to tell my friends, and family how thankful I am for them, and what they have done for me. They have all have taken care of me and supported me and loved me more than I knew. If you all are reading this, thank you! Thank you for everything. I will continue to praise the Lord for you and with you! I will continue to pray for you and the people you are broken for. I will make you proud, and give God the glory, and make His name famous!
That next day, I also got handed a $100 check from a family from church who really wanted to support me somehow, and someone else gave me an ipod touch with a camera, so that I can bring it on my trip and use it for facetime, skype, and pictures to keep all of you updated more easily! SO there you have it! My full total in 4 days was $4000 and an ipod touch. Talk about overwhelming. PTL! So God’s sense of humor took me from completely lost and defeated, to completely overwhelmed with gratefulness.
Support update, I am at $8000 after that weekend, and have had one other fundraiser since then, and other responses to my letters sent out, and am now about at $9000. Thank you so much for all of you! I am not only $6000 away from my final goal!
Here enjoy some pictures from this awesome party of my awesome friends!!
Great friends enjoying the White Out party!
These guys are so silly! i love them! thanks again!!
They had a chalk wall.... full of encouraging messages and drawings!!!
My friends about to tell me that the party was a surprise fudnraiser!
And so we danced
Don't let the smile fool you, I cried seconds after after finding out that they had raised over $2000 for me just that night.
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Posted in Pre-Race by Jillian Mangoni on 4/28/2012
Our God with a lot a bit of sense of Humor! (PT 1!!)
So if you checked my last blog out, which a ton of you did (yes I can see numbers, I don’t know who, but the number is high) (THANK YOU!), last blog I wrote about giving up, and just having a really defeated day, and not knowing how the money could possibly come in. I doubted the power of God. That same night God re-assured me of His greatness by giving me peace about it. Still not knowing, I was ready to trust. BEST DECISION EVER!!!
So also that night I was asked if I could speak to our women’s ministry at our church on that Thursday morning, and promote my trip, but also promote my fundraiser on that Friday night called Parent’s Night Out (basically me and some friends babysit a bunch of kids at one time for donations. It’s a really fun night, for the kids and the parents!) So I couldn’t pass up talking to these women!
That Thursday morning, I took my lunch break at work and headed to the church and talked to these wonderful women. That morning alone they gathered together and donated $705 for my trip. Many of them also came to my Parent’s Night Out fundraiser that next night.
Well Parent’s Night Out is usually pretty successful of a night, like I said its fun for us, and the parents LOVE it because they get to take advantage of a much needed date night! (Future racers, if you need any info on how to get this together as a fundraiser let me know!!! It’s always a good turnout!) Well that night alone I made $578 in donations, but add another $500 for people who gave me their actual support donation for my trip that night too!
So by this point in the weekend I am just in awe of God and His provision! After feeling so defeated just three days ago, and doubting Him so much, He showed me! This totaled me up to $1700 raised in just 2 days. I was overwhelmed by the support I was being shown those couple of days, not just financially but also emotionally, prayerfully, and just knowing people are going to be there for me.
Before that weekend I was at $4000 in my WR account. Those two days brought me up to $5700! Our next deadline I was trying to make was the $6500 by June 16th. So I began to think about different ways I could raise that next amount. I had been hoping for one last Parent’s Night Out before I leave, a restaurant or two to help with a sponsored night, and even a last minute plea as a birthday wish before I go. Well God had other plans on how to raise this support, and so did my friends. The weekend wasn’t over apparently.
I compiled this next story into pt 2. because it is a fun story in itself! So please
check out part 2!!!
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Posted in Pre-Race by Jillian Mangoni on 4/11/2012
I gave up…
SO today was a day of defeat. I had given up. There was a moment of complete failure and lack of trust where I said to myself “there is no way that this is going to happen.”
Looking at my WR account and seeing $4,000 in there, and thinking about the $11,000 still left to go, I felt as if it was impossible for me to come up with this kind of support. I also came across some expected, but not so expected financial burdens today… due all in the same week I owe $400 for rent, $380 for insurance for the year during the World Race, and $400 for a year supply of contact lenses.
I was overwhelmed and ate up the lies of impossibility. I kept thinking of fallback plans, or “what if” scenarios.
“what if I don’t go?”
“What if they send me home early?”
“I can’t afford any of this.. is this really right? What if I’m making the wrong move?”
Just to add a little more emotion to the night, tonight was my last regular Ignite. (Ignite is our college ministry at our campus). I have been a part of Ignite for 5 years, and have served in some kind of leadership for the last 4. Looking at the sanctuary filled with 240+ college students worshiping the One true God just brought tears of joy. It also brought back flashbacks of very important pieces of my life the past 5 years. Many special life moments happened in that same room. I remember my first night there as a college freshman, my first time standing in front of a crowd talking about my faith, the first time I became a leader, a couple relationships kindled, and a couple of break ups even started in that room, friends of mine confessing major things happening in their lives to me there, and even bringing my mom to see me get baptized happened in that same room. So much of me has been in that room, and this ministry, it was a little bittersweet to say goodbye.
While reminiscing through my memories, and in the midst of wiping tears, there the Lord was, nagging at me, telling me that He is there. That He is doing new things and I can be apart of it. He is leading me, where He wants me to be, and that NOTHING is impossible with Him. I have not been defeated. He has conquered the World!
Oh! How He loves us! – giving me these past 5 years to grow in Him, to seek Him, to learn about Him. Now He is leading me to go and grow, seek and learn more. He will provide, and I should never put it past Him to make all things possible.
Hebrews 13:5b
“ never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you. So we say in CONFIDENCE, The Lord is my helper, I will NOT be AFRAID”
Incase you missed my Video… Here you go! I am at $4,000 and need $11,000 to go. I cannot do this alone; apart from God I do need your help! Please consider becoming part of my team and help to support me in any way possible.
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Posted in Pre-Race by Jillian Mangoni on 4/6/2012
Update and VIDEO … I must be crazy.
So there is just about 3 months until I leave for my first month of The World Race. There is a month and a half before I go to GA for a week of training camp. A month and a half before I get to meet and see the faces, in person, of all the people I will be spending my next year with. My new family, and I get to see and be with them in a month in a half. Wow am I excited!
Well I wanted to start out by saying thank you! Thank you to all that have already supported me. I have had so much support from others, that I am just humbled daily. I appreciate all things given, and all things offered. I am getting close to my goals, but still needs some help. So here is my updated list for now!
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Still need prayer! - pre race and during!
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I have surpassed my first deadline of $3,500. I am at $3,700 right now and need $6,500 by June 16th. So please consider supporting me financially in order to make this happen!
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If you are interested in supporting me by taking my Insurance fee off my list, please email me(flamngoj7@yahoo.com) or facebook message me! It will be around $385 for the year!
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Here are a few random things I am still needing
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Tarp for under my tent
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Headlamp
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Microfiber towel
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Compression sacks/ Packing cubes
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Airporter (for my pack in the during travel days)
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Time Machine for my Mac book
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External hard drive
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Carabineers
5. I also want to buy a used or new Ipod touch, one with a camera. If you have one that you would like to sell let me know! I would really appreciate it so that in WIFI places I will be able to “face time” friends and family here in the States.
Well thank you so much for everything, and I will continue praying for you all! My God is GREATER, He will provide, I will NOT be AFRAID!
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Posted in Pre-Race by Jillian Mangoni on 3/13/2012
Syracuse or Bust….
This past week I had the amazing opportunity to help lead a group of college students on a mission trip to Syracuse, NY. Last year I was a student on the trip, and was very excited about going up to Syracuse again.
We were there being led by Jim Murphy, who is a pastor at Missio Church in Syracuse. We had 3 goals through out the week; 1. Serve the city. 2 To pray with people 3. To present the gospel. These three things may have seemed a little overwhelming and daunting for us in the beginning of the week, but by the end of the week, we had all stepped out of our comfort zones, and was ready for any opportunity God gave to us.
Processing this whole trip and what God did through out the week, I was led to Psalm 50. Here are a few of many points that I have taken away from this trip, and excited to talk about:
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“God calls all of humanity, from where the sun rises to where the sun sets.” He does not call on just me, or just the students from the trip, but all humanity.
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.Verse 2 talks about Gods perfection of beauty and the glorious radiance. This week I got to see that. Gods perfection of beauty in a city, and in the people of this city. There is nothing less then beauty in that city. Each person, all bearing the beautiful image of Christ.
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Verse 3 “Our God approaches and He is not SILENT” Our God certainly is not silent. He was banging on the door of every person we encountered this week.
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I am so incredibly proud of the students I served with this week. They all grew so much in just a one week. We will be taking this home, and wherever God sends us in the future.
This past week, we were able to bless many, pray with many, and share the gospel with many. One girl in particular from the campus of Syracuse University, never in her 20 years of life had ever heard the name of Jesus Christ. That day she heard. There was another woman from the city in a grocery store admitted to never have prayed before, that day she prayed, and was prayed over. There were many other situations that could not have been constructed if it weren’t for the work of God. He is alive, and the tomb is empty!
This week not only showed me a form of love that I have never witnessed before, but also a whole new excitement for my next trip. This next trip, to 11 different countries I am going to be encountering so many new people, and different cultures. I have found the love for these faces that I don’t even know yet. I am so excited to get to know those beautiful faces, and bring them joy, grace and love, in the name of Jesus, just like we brought to the strangers of Syracuse.
Our students praying with a women at the grocery store.
Our students serving by helping pay and do laundry
We got to reach out to SU students for a day!
Our crazy Syracuse group at Niagara Falls!!
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Posted in Pre-Race by Jillian Mangoni on 3/13/2012
13.1 – I’ve Never Felt Anything Like it.
Ok as most of you all know I was training for a half marathon. So here is my update from after the run.
This is a 13.1-mile long run. I don’t know if you can imagine 13 miles, let alone imagine running 13 miles. It was rough, but amazing. The first mile and a half we were running in a torrential monsoon downpour of rain. While we were running we couldn’t breath or even see because of the amount of water that was coming down on us. We kept on running. Mile 7 and 8 was designated for a bridge. Going up and down the first time was against the 20 mph winds, but going up and over the 2nd time we had the wind for us, which saved us some energy. Mile 10 came along, and my body was done. I wanted to quit, and I wanted to just walk. I kept on going though! The last mile I was pushed and encouraged by my running partner, and finished strong! I finished my firth half marathon in 2 hours 23 minutes and 48 seconds. That was faster then my goal time, and I am super happy and just feeling accomplished. The end feeling was like something I had never felt before. I hugged all of my amazing supporters, and got my medal for finishing, and stretched. I yearned for water and Gatorade, but other than any of that I couldn’t even think. Others would ask me things, and I just seemed to not understand anything that was said to me. I was mentally and physically exhausted, but excited and pumped at the same time. It was the strangest feeling ever. Needless to say, I think that will be my first and last half marathon. I do think I will continue running, but not at that distance.
I did use this run as a fundraiser for my trip and 20% of every gift that came in went towards the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL. I want to thank everyone who supported me in this run, whether financially, encouraging words, and even to my awesome supporters who came and cheered me on! It really means a ton to me, and I couldn’t have done it without you all.
Thanks again!
Right before the Race!
During the bridge part of the race!
Finishing up!
AND... DONE!!!!!
Running buddies from work!
Some awesome friends that did it too! Im so proud!!!
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Posted in Pre-Race by Jillian Mangoni on 2/9/2012
Another Word I Thought I Had Mastered.
Patience:
Wow. It is so powerful, and yet so frustrating at times. Waiting for things joyfully? Being “long tempered”(Orlando Cabrera). How on earth can I have patience?
I have hit a time in this trip preparation where there are so many things to get done, and the calendar keeps moving rather quickly. The plans that I made on how this year was going to go, and the timeline I made for myself in support raising and groundwork is just not working the way I wanted. Things have gotten busy, and important things keep getting pushed back. Time keeps creeping up on me. I feel like I am losing my patients.
It is a great thing that I have a church that God uses to speak to all of my convictions, at seemingly the most convenient times. (o.k. so I am a little sarcastic, but in all seriousness its always exactly what I need). This past week the sermon was on none other than; PATIENCE.
Also glad I can cling to verses like this one to help me lean on God more in times of struggle, and lack of trust:
“do not be conformed to this world, but be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your MIND, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and PERFECT.” Romans 12:2
This verse is my memory verse of the week for me and my small group (yes girls you better be memorizing this too, Don’t Forget!), and I have been meditating and replaying it a lot. Wrestling with and joyfully giving up my control, over my situations. I know that if I am in control, I will be worse off as opposed to giving it ALL to God. Keeping my mind set on Him, renewing my mind by submerging myself in His word. He does all things in His timing, and all for my good. I need to delete my timeline, and live off His, and simply just be PATIENT.
With all this being said, my Half – Marathon is in 24 days!! I am very excited, and getting a little nervous. I will be running 10 miles this weekend for the first time!! Yay! Please consider being a part of my first fundraiser (click the link below-or read previous blog) I have gotten $120 sponsored so far, and $25 of that will be going towards the Moffitt Cancer Center for cancer research! Please pass this link on and help with my support!!
http://www.indiegogo.com/Jogging-for-Jillian?a=377084
Thank you all for everything!
Teaser Picture for promo/prayer card (thanks to Amanda Truxillo)
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Posted in Pre-Race by Jillian Mangoni on 1/31/2012
Giving the World a RUN for Its Money
Here I am, the last day of January. Tomorrow is February and I am one month closer to going around the world! This is a very exciting thought, but also can be a very anxious thought! I am almost there! The calendar says so, but my World Race account does not. That is where the anxiety comes in. Thankfully I have ONE AWESOME GOD! He has already shown me His provision, His comfort, and His plan in all this. SO there really is no reason to be concerned.
Well here is my first actual fundraiser! As I wrote about in my last blog, I am running a half-marathon. I am hoping that others will sponsor me as I run 13.1 miles. The half marathon is called the Hooters Half Marathon on March 4th. The Hooters Half raises funds to benefit the Moffitt Cancer Center. My personal earnings will go towards my World Race, and I will also be giving 20% of your donations to benefit the Moffitt Cancer Center. I have been impacted by family and friends who have/had cancer, and I know most of you have been as well. I am very excited to be able to benefit and donate to cancer research, and excited for you all to join me as I run!
I will be running for my family members, and friends and would love for you all to jump in mission with me.
You can donate to “sponsor” my run at this website (therefore I can give a portion back to the Moffitt Center)
http://www.indiegogo.com/Jogging-for-Jillian?a=377084
Or if you would like, send me a check personally- Just email me and I will send my address : flmangoj7@yahoo.com
Or if you would prefer to just donate through the World Race, you can always click the “Support Me” link under my photo on the left of this page.
Thank you all in advance. And I cannot wait to share this experience with all of you!
Pictures from my Half will be posted and I will update after I run the 13.1 miles!
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Posted in Pre-Race by Jillian Mangoni on 1/7/2012
perseverance |ˌpərsəˈvi(ə)rəns|
noun
1 steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success : his perseverance with the technique illustrates his single-mindedness | medicine is a field which requires dedication and perseverance.
2 Theology continuance in a state of grace leading finally to a state of glory.
Perseverance has been a big thing for me all my life. I have always been told to never give up, to keep trying, to persevere though anything. In middle school I even earned a reward for it.
We were doing the physical fitness tests in PE class, and the only test that was holing me back from getting the Presidential Award (highest level) was the darn mile run. Now I have never been a runner, but was always pretty borderline athletic. To pass the presidential test you had to run the mile under a certain amount of time. So the first time I ran it, I didn’t pass it. I ran with the make-ups… still didn’t get that time! So I asked if I could run it again and try and make the time, the teacher let me run it 2 more times. I still never made the time I needed for the Presidential award that year. But with my persevering attitude I did win an awesome plaque for perseverance!
A few years ago while writing my core values, perseverance was one of them! So with being able to persevere all my life, and holding it as a core value of mine, what could God possibly teach me about it??? I’m a pro, right!???
Well this past month I have been really wrestling with the word, and the concept. It all started when someone at my work told me that I give up too easily!.. Really.. did he really just tell me, miss perseverance plaque winner, that I give up too easily. Talk about humbling.
I don’t want others to think that I will just give up, do people think I’m lazy because of it? Can I finish anything? Or will I run from everything? More importantly I didn’t want to look at myself as a failure, I don’t want the Lord to tell me one day that I failed because I didn’t keep trying. I don’t want to give up.
This past month I have been giving up. This is where the humbling begins. I have had some issues at work, where all I wanted to do was run from them, give up, and not look back. The raising of support for this race, has felt massive this past month, I continued to believe in the lie, that I will never raise that money. Its too big of an amount, I should just stop now and give up. I have even been training for a half marathon and there are some rough days where I am ready to throw in the towel. Even the most important race I will or have ever been in has been suffering. This race started when I was in 10th grade, my race with God. I am in a race, I need to persevere until the end. I wasn’t feeling the way I needed to feel, so I gave up.
This past month I haven’t been doing that. I have let all my emotions, stresses, and busyness take over and defeat me. This whole month I think I picked up His word 4 times. That is it. I gave up.
So God decided to teach me something through this. Every time I did actually pick it up I kept being led to the book of James. I read the whole book of James all the way through about 3 times. Each time James 1:12 stands out
“ Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. “
Then again v 22:
“ don’t merely just listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
We are also going through 1 Corinthians in my small group, and I was reading over what we will be talking about in the next few weeks and I ran into one of my favorite verses: 1corinthians 9:24-27 talking about running the race as if for a prize, don’t just merely run.
Then to rub it in even more, my church did a sermon on perseverance last weekend.
So why am I giving up? I have Him there to help me! He is paving my path for me, He is also right there beside me! I also have so many others there to help! The biggest thing that has been getting me through my half-marathon training has been one of my friends coming along with me on my long runs. She straps her rollerblades on and is there just for support! I love her for that. And that is exactly what I have in my Christian walk. I have many of my brothers and sisters in Christ arm in arm ready to run along side me in my race with the Lord. (Many of you are probably reading this now, and if you are, I love every single one of you for it! And would not be able to do it without you)
I want to be the one to declare this:
1 Corinthians 9: 26
“Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27. No, I beat my body and make it a slave so that after I have preached to others (the world), I myself will not be disqualified for the prize”
And my prize isn’t a trophy, or a plaque, or a crown. My prize will be a prize that last for eternity!
A group of "family" that has kept me running this past year <3
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Posted in Pre-Race by Jillian Mangoni on 12/10/2011
Why the World Race?
Well why not!!! That was always my response to the “why” question. This is the perfect time for me to do something like this. I am young, I am not in my “career mode” yet, I don’t really have anything tying me down to the place that I am living. So, why not?
The most important reason that I have decided to go is because God has called me to go.
“Are you sure?”
YES! I am sure. There are many things that have been confirmed for me daily about my decision. God has used, more then ever in my life, His word to confirm His plan for me. One day I was intentionally praying for the trip, and the decision that hadn’t been made at the time, I was pointed to Psalm 20. Verse after verse God kept telling me yes ad to go!!
Another example is about the concerned, caring, protective mother of mine. I was apprehensive at first about how she would react to my desire to travel for a year, but after some time she got excited! Yes, my mom got excited and interested in this trip! I was so thankful!! It was a huge confirmation from the Lord, and a huge answer to prayer!!
Not to mention my supportive friends. My roommates, and friends and pastors, even a couple of people from my work have been supportive and excited for me! And what God is going to do with me!
So, Why the World Race? Well for one God called me, along with that I am so excited to go travel the world, and see His work around the world. To become His hands and feet to help the least of these! I am beyond excited about the community I will gain, and the friendships that will last. It is one year of my life where I get to go do the work, and explore His plan for my life.
I am going to be a Missionary!
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