"Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:13-14 NIV
At 4:26 p.m. on December 31, while many people were making preparations to celebrate New Years Eve, 24-year-old Jozie Ann from Springfield, MO was already celebrating in a most unique way... by crossing the finish line of the Across the Years Ultra after running 100 miles! Pretty impressive right? As someone who's been blessed to complete several 100 mile races, I will tell you that every long distance race comes with its own unique challenges, obstacles, hurdles, and complications--something Jozie and her Mom, Jill (who ran 75 of the 100 with her), can now attest to.
However, there's more to Jozie's story than meets the eye. Her life, which has been full of challenges since the beginning, began in a region in North Asia more than two decades ago as Jill explains...
Jozie was adopted from an orphanage in Western Siberia at age two along with her sister who was three.
I was not able to conceive. But little did I know, God had bigger better plans for me with these two girls. The struggles and triumphs of being their mom has made me a better human.
A little over a year after Jozie’s adoption she was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease that affected the “pons” of her brain called A.D.E.M. At age four, she basically lost the ability to walk or speak and lost all of her balance. Jozie then spent many years relearning those skills that come natural for most. Then in junior high, she developed scoliosis so severe that her organs were in danger and she had to have two titanium bars surgically fused to her spine. We like to joke that she grew 2 inches in a day! This took months of recovery and rehab. Doctors told her no activity with “impact” such as roller coasters, horseback, rock climbing…. and so on.
Jozie describes herself as “a fighter and stubborn." She handled all of this with a smile on her face, never complaining and always displaying a positive attitude... and always determined to overcome.
She became submerged in the running community due to my running addiction… Running tons of 5ks and then a couple half marathons at age 19. She “accidently” did a 50k at Bad Dawg just by being there to volunteer and jumping in at the last minute to run. After a 50 miler in 2023 she was determined to do a 100.
She picked Across the Years in Arizona because it had a 72 hour cut off… Running 1.4 mile loops over and over until you hit 100. (she completed it in 52 hours with 34 hours of actual moving time). It was mostly concrete and a little bit of dirt. She was able to take breaks to sleep or eat or fix her feet.
Her determination was infectious… she had people and other runners on the course cheering and encouraging her. She was literally smiling and joking with people the whole time. It was very emotional for me as mom… to pace her and witness her determination. And to see how easily she makes friends and encouraged others. She has her own “fan base” now! I think it shows lots of people out there… They need to stop making excuses.
I know that Jozie would have not had the life she does if she had stayed in that orphanage… her medical issues alone would have shortened her life. But neither would I. Having her and her sister in my life has made me do things I never thought I could do as well as made my life FUN and purposeful. My mom said God gives the hardest challenges to the strongest people. I'm just a better person because God meant for them to be mine. Jozie is a true example of strength and positive.
And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:9-14
And, you know, while Jill's mom said that God gives the hardest challenges to the strongest people, it's actually the challenges God gives us that make us stronger people. You see, Moses wasn't always the strong leader who we picture stretching his hand out over the Red Sea as commanded by God to part the waters and allow the Israelites to pass through. He was once, like us, a person who questioned by what strength he would overcome the battles in his way. A question God answered by saying, "I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” With this introduction, God was telling Moses that He was all-knowing, all-being, all-powerful, and all-merciful—something Moses came to believe with his whole being by experiencing the presence of God in the midst of his challenges and the power of God in overcoming them.
So don't fear challenges my friend. Embrace them knowing that God will use them to make you stronger by growing your faith and confidence in Him... the great "I am.” This is the great God we serve and the great God who displays his boundless love, knowledge, grace, and mercy in all our challenges.
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that You work all things for the good of those who love You and are called according to your purpose. Help us to understand this Lord, so that when (not if) we go through tests and trials, we can consider them pure joy for the strength and perseverance they are producing within us. Thank You for being a Father who loves us so much that You would allow us to go through situations that cause us to become more like You Lord. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
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