Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
It's been a while since my last entry, so in this post I'd like to update you on some of the things that have been going on in my life.
1. MudLOVE bracelets are back!
I just got a new shipment of MudLOVE bands in for the holidays, and they are available to you! As you may know from earlier, MudLOVE is an Indiana-based company that donates 20% of their profits to clean drinking water projects in the Central African Republic. Buying just one bracelet gives one person clean water for an entire year! The money also goes toward my own World Race fundraising.
The new bracelets are pictured below. Some of the varieties are limited, so get to me quickly if there's a specific color or word you want. These make great stocking stuffers!
Suggested donation: $8 for one, $22 for three. I will ship them to you as well. Email me at [email protected] to place your order!
2. I still have t-shirts for sale!
If you are interested in purchasing a t-shirt to support me, I still have them! I'm out of small sizes, but have limited quantities of everything else. Note that these shirts were made before I switched routes, so the countries aren't the ones that are on my new itinerary. But hey, nothing is sure on the World Race, like a shirt. And this is one comfortable t-shirt, ladies and gents. Same deal, email me to place an order at [email protected]. Suggested donation: $20 for one, $35 for two.
3. The fundraising is going very well.
By next month, I was hoping to have $7500 in my account. But as I write this, you all have given a total of $10,135, which is 65% of my total fundraising goal. My entire family has been learning a lot from this process of asking for money: we've been learning that it's scary and awkward. But more often, we've been learning that it is courageous, encouraging, and very humbling. It is a wonder-full thing to send not just money, but people to the nations to know Jesus and make him known. Because of your generosity and faith, I get to be one of those people. So thank you for giving your money, your time, and your counsel. And stay tuned and trust that great things are going to happen as a result.
If you would like to contribute, you can do so at the top of this page next to my progress bar by clicking "support me."
4. "What are you doing these days?"
In 40 days, I will be in Honduras. That is a big idea to take in, and I think in 40 days I will be ready to be there. But these days, I've been very thankful for the chance to be home for the holidays for the first time since high school. I've been trying to make the most of the time I have at home. Last weekend I went to Spokane, Washington, where my brother David and his girlfriend Ashley go to college. Tomorrow we have family coming to our house for Thanksgiving, kicking off the cold, colorful, musical, delicious, hectic holiday season. On Friday we're going to see the Paperboys (of the Canadian/bluegrass/pop/Spanish-speaking/Celtic genre), one of my favorite bands, in Seattle.
I've been playing piano for Living Way, the Bible study my mom and family friend Trudy attend. It is the best part of my Tuesdays, because I get to play songs with a bunch of wonderful ladies, and then join in as they study 2 Kings. I've only been there a few times, but it already feels like I've been there for years. If you're a Living Way lady reading this, thank you for welcoming me! You've been a blessing!
I've been studying Biblical Hebrew. I'm trying to work through as much of a textbook as possible before leaving, and it's been going well since I studied Modern Hebrew in school and a lot of the grammar rules I'm encountering are things I've already internalized by saying aloud so often. It's starting to get more confusing as I get deeper into the grammar, but I love learning languages so much that it's worth a couple headaches and worn-down erasers. Plus, I don't have to worry about passing any tests!
I am going back to New York next month! Two college friends, Grace and Tian An, are getting married and I had enough frequent flier miles to book a flight out there. I am very excited to see them and reunite with my Vassar family and friends! New York dwellers, beware: I'm coming for you!
5. Please pray for me!
These days, I ask you to keep me and my immediate family in your prayers.
Pray that we stay present in the time God's given me, not succumbing to fear of the future.
At the same time, pray that we continue to plan well for my departure: pray for a good use of time and sound decisions.
Pray that we would stay encouraged, even though this whole adventure is so scary and uncertain in so many ways!
And be praying for my World Race Squad C, especially my team: Michelle, Tony, Kori, David, and Robyn!
God bless you all. Thank you for being in my lives, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
