First off, I am officially funded for launch!!! Thank you to everyone who has made donations and said prayers to get me there. This trip wouldn’t be possible without your support.
So what’s that mean?
I will go. I’m so excited to be able to say that officially.
BUT I still have money that needs to be raised, and if it’s not fully raised it’s possible that I will have to come home early (this very rarely happens and I have every confidence that it won’t).
Accounting for the donations I know are coming but have not yet processed and monthly donations, I still need about 18 donors to pledge $50 a month over the next 4 months to be funded by my final deadline in December (assuming no other donations come in-which they will). If you would like to be a financial partner in this way or would like to make a donation of any amount, please click the support me to the left of this blog or at the top of the page.
Many of my squadmates have had their supporters write them letters that they’ll take with them to open along the race. If you are interested in writing letters/cards/etc of encouragement/support for me to take with me, let me know! I’d love to have something from home along the way. 🙂
I’m also looking for prayer partners. People that I specifically can make requests to pray for myself, my team, and even my squad. There’s a chance to pray for us through the World Race, and I hope some of you will consider joining that prayer team. If you would like to pray for us through communications from me personally (which may be sporadic based on internet)- let me know before launch (September 6).
Speaking of technology… how do you keep up with me on the race and live vicariously through me (because I know some of you have the travel bug too)?
Your best means will be this blog. It will be the first place I post mass updates.
I will also try to communicate through email and wi-fi when we (sporadically) have it. I will not be carrying a cell phone plan. SO if you want to try to text/chat with me, I’ll be downloading these apps:
-Viber: for calls and texts
-GroupMe: group texts/texts
-Facebook Messenger (reluctantly)
-Facebook/Instagram: Posting pictures of the race and life while I’m gone when I can. I’ll be hashtagging things with #WeltyRaces (despite the fact that I’m convinced I don’t personally need a hashtag, enough people have said I do that I’m going for it).
-Skype: not sure if this one’s even worth mentioning because it’ll likely be extremely limited and I want to be present on the race so I won’t be doing this with too many people or too often
-Snapchat: picture chats
I’ll try to update this blog as I actually figure out what works on the race.
If you want to connect with me in any of the above ways and haven’t already or have questions-feel free to talk to me about them.
SO last thing… the promised book worm part…
At training camp and since A LOT of books came on my radar as books I’d like to read in preparation for the race and while on the race. Since I love books, I thought I’d share the list in case any of you wanted to check any of them out.
The first list includes the books that I haven’t read and would like to own. It’s mixed in with my general world race list, ignore the other wishlist items, unless you don’t want to and then you know, look at them, buy them for me, do whatever you want. You rebel, you:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/SL4VNYVE6EYF/ref=cm_wl_list_o_5?
The second is a list that includes all of the books that came up at training camp and were recommended after by World Race connected people and include some that I’ve already read or purchased (I made this list for my squadmates and those of you who were interested):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/KVSZ4Q4XO0ZI/ref=cm_wl_list_o_0?
If you have questions about the books, I’ll do my best to answer them.
Thanks for everything y’all! This likely will be my last pre-race post, so…
SEE YOU ON THE RACE!!!
