Hey everyone! I’m sorry I haven’t updated my blog in a while. There are many excuses I could give: haven’t had time, didn’t know what to write, wasn’t inspired to write. But in all honestly blogging just isn’t my forte and isn’t my favorite pass-time thing to do. But I’m on it now! So here’s my 411:
Thanks to our Heavenly Father and all of you I have passed my first financial deadline of $3,500! 
I am now working towards my next financial deadline of $7,500. Yep, that’s right. For those of you who noticed my second financial deadline went up $1,000. This is because Adventures in Missions has partnered with an insurance company to allow us to have the best possible medical coverage on the field. Another positive to this situation is that we can now fundraise for our travel health insurance as well, instead of having to come up with the funds personally. I am very grateful for this because my parents and I are already pushing it to pay for my gear and my travel shots.
I am now working towards my next financial deadline of $7,500. Yep, that’s right. For those of you who noticed my second financial deadline went up $1,000. This is because Adventures in Missions has partnered with an insurance company to allow us to have the best possible medical coverage on the field. Another positive to this situation is that we can now fundraise for our travel health insurance as well, instead of having to come up with the funds personally. I am very grateful for this because my parents and I are already pushing it to pay for my gear and my travel shots.Something I found on a fellow racers blog that I thought ya’ll would like….pie charts! Everyone loves pie charts and these break down how the money I raise is being spent. I know everyone, including myself, likes to see how their money is being used.
Yay it worked!
Next item of business:
I went to Passport Health in Greenville (SC) last Friday for my travel shots consultation. It went really well! I am very impressed by their services and I recommend them to all of you out there for your traveling health needs. I’ve already gotten a bunch of shots when I was younger (Polio, Tetanus, Hep B, etc). While there I got my Hepatitis A vaccine and also my Typhoid oral pills to take, which I have been doing and my last one will be tomorrow…yay! I still have to get Yellow Fever vaccine, Polio booster, Japanese Encephalitis vaccine, Rabies, and come December I will need to get medications for Malaria and travelers diarrhea (I know, eww, but it’ll happen at some point unfortunately). My dad and I are working out spreading the shots out as far as possible so that hopefully the insurance will help to pay for them. The rabies is a round of 3 shots and they are close to $300 each!
I went to Passport Health in Greenville (SC) last Friday for my travel shots consultation. It went really well! I am very impressed by their services and I recommend them to all of you out there for your traveling health needs. I’ve already gotten a bunch of shots when I was younger (Polio, Tetanus, Hep B, etc). While there I got my Hepatitis A vaccine and also my Typhoid oral pills to take, which I have been doing and my last one will be tomorrow…yay! I still have to get Yellow Fever vaccine, Polio booster, Japanese Encephalitis vaccine, Rabies, and come December I will need to get medications for Malaria and travelers diarrhea (I know, eww, but it’ll happen at some point unfortunately). My dad and I are working out spreading the shots out as far as possible so that hopefully the insurance will help to pay for them. The rabies is a round of 3 shots and they are close to $300 each!
I’ve been working on getting my gear, which is rough because it’s so expensive for the bigger items. I’ve been getting some clothing items which I actually found at Wal-Mart of all places! It’s durable, breathable, and quick-drying, which is all what I need. I’ve also gotten Repel 100 bug spray which lasts for 10 hours, socks, a multi-utensil that folds up like a knife, my towel, and there are a few other things that my brother has given me.
My best two buys have been my Chacos…..
And my PacSafe Slingsafe 300 GII pack that will be my day pack for the year! It’s extremely traveler, anti-theft friendly. I’m already using it and will be using it this semester for school as well. I’ll try posting the review video I found for it below.
It has been thanks to Sunday School classes at my church that I have been able to buy these things already! I have been babysitting, house-sitting, and pet-sitting this summer but have not had any luck with the places I have applied to for a job. Thankfully school is starting back soon and I am able to continue my work study job, but I only work an average of 6-9 hours a week and am paid once a month, hardly ever over $200. I am so grateful for this job, but I need an equivalent of 3 of these to pay for my gear and to contribute to my trip.
I don’t know if I relayed this information, but I have to have all of my gear for Training Camp, which is in October! Not when I leave, but 3 months beforehand! 
Speaking of….Training Camp!! October 12th-19th! I am so excited to meet all of these amazing people on my squad who I have been talking to over the past few months!! Training Camp is to prepare us mentally, physically, spiritually, and communally for the Launch in January. Here is a video from July 2013 Training Camp for those who will launch in September! You might even see my friend Kate Friar in there somewhere!
Thank you all once again for your love and support these past few weeks and I hope you continue to bring it! Words of affirmation are big to me and so very appreciated. If you have not supported me financially yet and you feel called by the Lord to do so I would also appreciate that eternally! Every single dollar helps! You can support me by clicking the “Support Me!” button at the very top of the page or in the column on the upper left-hand side.
I leave you today with a mighty prayer that I have come to love:
“May God open the heavens, break through the clouds, and deliver the answer you’ve been waiting for.
May He shore up your faith, strengthen your heart, and overwhelm you with His grace.
May your soul know a peaceful assurance like its never known before.
May you believe from deep within that God will never let you go.
He is mighty to save. Rest well tonight.”
–Susie Larson
