I need help packing!
UPDATED 8/5/2014 
So today I began the exciting journey of pre packingfake packing for the world race!
Yeah… I know I don’t leave for another 3 1/2 months, but I just can’t help myself! Ahhhh excited. As I sit on my bed with the items I have “fake packed” I’m realizing that my thoughts have turned from of oh I’ve got this to now… mild panic ha
so… here is a list of what I need to gather/collect/purchase/legally obtain/find between now and August 29th 🙂 *Beth passes out*
ATTENTION: Current or alumni racers I NEED YO HELP! I have done my best to compile the most detailed pre-packing packing list and I need your input! I have put *** by notes to self AND items I have questions about or need advice on! I need your suggestions and advice! Things I forgot? Things I don’t need? Please help!
Gear I need to collect before august for the race!!
Toiletries, necessities, and extras
~Eye drops
Small/med size smelling good lotion
~Shampoo * learn how to wash hair in 4min. Cold shower (Thanks training camp)
~Conditioner
2 tooth brushes Still really need this $10
~Floss
~Razors
~ * hanging toiletries bag, suggestions? L.l.bean? Thanks Elizabeth Spoon & Laura Wren
~Tylenol
Vitamins?
*Does anyone take airborne? Does it work? Medicine wise what should I take?
~*Enough contacts to last 11 months? & not acuvue oasis they’re not awesome…
LOTS of contact solution, it’s really expensive overseas Still need this $10
~ 3 chapsticks! Thanks Hannah Welsh
~Downy wrinkle releaser (do I need this?)
2 rolls Backpacking toilet paper
~*Hanging Washcloth contraption for bar soap & figure out a way to keep bar soap clean?
~*Quality camp towels (but not the one that smell funky by month 3) specific fabric or brand to look for? How many do I need? FORGET the Towel & pack a sarong instead! Multi purpose, fashionable 😉 and dries quick! THANKS Laura Ficken
* figure out how to wash face everyday, sometimes twice a day without the use of clean washcloth 😐 #Struggle #OCD #MustLetGoOfDirtyFaceFears Still working on this one… Shatterproof Mirror? Dont even know where to begin… 12$??
Clothes, shoes DONE!!!!
~ Laundry bag, check! Found two super light weight mesh bags at the house,Thanks Mom
~Long shorts
~*Medium and long skirts, my first country is Thailand a few racers say wait and buy clothes
~*20 pairs of cotton or Exoficio backpacking undies? I’ve heard mixed reviews on these…
~4 new cotton sports bras
~1 new “real” bra
~ Quality lightweight 1/2 zip pullover Thanks Paul Sewell! 🙂
~*4 new quality sox (how often will I even wear sox? Any suggestions on how many or what kind to bring)
~Thin Crock flip flops! I’ve noticed all the racers rave about them!
~Chacos… my current ones won’t last a minute on the race! THANK YOU Morgan Baldwin!
Sleeping
~*Travel pillow for sleeping bag ( need a Nemo fillo backpacking pillow) scratch that! REAL PILLOW ALL THE WAY!
~Pillow case THANK YOU Kathy Sewell for sewing zippers on my pillow cases!! And thank you Paul for the Pillow Cases!!!
~* suggestions on a REALLY REALLLLYYYY good sleeping pad? This will be my bed for the entire year! I like my therma rest! I very used it a lot for backpacking but nothing over three weeks, will it cut it for 11 months of questionable sleeping arrangements? I hear the Big Agnes pad Insulated Air Core pad is a dream? Reviews? Bought the BA insulated Air Core Pro & my quality of life instantly improved!
*Sleeping bag liner? Do I need it? Brand suggestions? STILL NEED THIS! $62
Electronics, cases, extras
Durable Waterproof watch & band STILL NEED THIS $50
~Batteries for petzl headlamp
~small quality flashlight
~Pack of lighted zipper pulls
Book light w/extra batteries (can clip in tent for extra light) STILL NEED THIS $10
~AT LEAST 4 headphones! Apparently they break or get misplaced quite often… Thank you Brian Yopp & Laura Wren!!!
Non-plug in battery charger for devices THANK YOU Kurt
~Plug adapter for wall THANK YOU PAUL SEWELL!
~*Extension cord? Yes or no?
~Otter box for iPod mini Even better, Laura Wren sent me a gropon for lifeproof $36!!!
~Case for external hard drive
*Waterproof laptop & electronics case, suggestions? Still need this $60??
*Photo editing software, user friendly, easy, inexpensive, suggestions?
~*DREAM PURCHASE* Mac book air to replace my heavy Mac book pro! When every ounce of weight counts this would be a great weight off my shoulders, literally! THANK YOU MOM!!!!I promise to post lots of pictures and email you when I can! What a gift!!!
~ GoPro! Thank you & shout-out to Casey Thompson for the huge discount!
~ extra GoPro battery, selfie wand, head strap, ect… Still NEED THESE $100
Extras, medicine, money, necessities
~2 packs of thread for bracelets Thank you Camp Sumatanga!
~New nalgene and splash guard (pack two and store electronics in 1 when you’re not using it!) Thanks Hannah Welsh!!!
~ New blank journals Thanks MOM!
Pack of at least 10 pens Tul & sharpie pens. STILL NEED THIS $15
~2 mechanical pencils
~2 sharpies Thanks MOM!!!
Colorful pen set or felt tip markers Sharpie pens Still need this $10
~Small inflatable globe! I really dream of blowing this up, and having this small tool to show people just how creative God is! I’m excited to show people where they live in the world! Thank You Paul Sewell!!!!!
~Sunglasses, case & croakie or strap for back Thank you Mrs. Sharri Thompson!
~*Soccer ball? It’s basically the national sport for 10 of our 11 countries! I think this would be a great way to connect and build relationships to people that I can’t verbally communicate with? Thoughts? Suggestions? Would it be too heavy in my pack? Can I travel with an air pump? I’m also afraid I’ll want to leave it with every group of kids I play with in each country…. Past/current racers I need your help!
*AIRPORTER from REI it’s a big bag that my pack zips into to protect in from theft and wear and tear while traveling each month. Suggestions? Still REALLY REALLYYY REALLY need this!!! $60
Lighter slap straps for eno?
~Charles schwab International back account, I hear it’s the bomb w/no ATM fees!
Extra debit card (in-progress)
Extra US ($200+) cash hidden throughout my luggage for emergencies Suggested by the World Race ***$1,500 extra for weekends off, American/ comfort food, health emergencies, and anything not provided by AIM.
Cards and notes from my people back home
*Malaria medicine? Get it here or get it there? 3 month supply DONE
Yellow fever vaccine 😐 (must get this at least 10 days before launch & cost $120) Typhoid vaccine 😐 (Cost between $80- $120) NEED TO GET THESE ASAP! Appointment made at Health Department for Tuesday the 12th at 1pm.. Please be in prayer for this time because I don’t do shots well… like at all. Thank you Paul for helping me be strong and for holding my hand in the process.
~6 copies of passport Thanks for helping me do this Laura Wren
6 extra passport photos 1/2 complete thanks to Kelly Martin!
Copies of med. Insurance, other identification, and debit cards.
~Full physical exam (waiting on return forms!)
*And last but not least this is extremely important… Will I need to pack snacks for travel days or at least for month 1? #Food #priorities #cookies #nomnomnom
Gear ready for training camp: Pppssyycccc…..
Great Backpack w/rain guard LIES! I had to get a new one due to the fact my pack is so large, I packed enough for a married couple! I just ordered the Venus 70 liter from REI on sale for $170
north face Day pack w/rain guard
Tent w/footprint Sierra design, lightning II listen to this PROVISION… Unpacked at training camp, discovered my rainfly was having an end of life crisis, the material was having sticky issues, serious sticky issues like never ever becoming unsticky issues. Paul called Sierra Design and told them about the problem & THEY ARE REPLACING IT WITH A NEWER LIGHTER VERSION FOR FREEEE! #ThankYouJesus
Sleeping bag, Coleman 32*
Therma rest sleeping pad Replaced by the heavenly big agnes AirCore Pro!
2 quick dry camp towels
9 Packing cubes
Mountain hardwear Rain jacket
Light weight very small packable down jacket NOT packing this
1 Long cotton dress from forever 21
1 Med. Length cotton skirt old navy
3 leggings (yes! I’m packing the ones with cats on them! ;))
4 shorts Columbia quick dry, nike running shorts & two crazy print shorts
1 light weight pair of jeans h&m
3 cotton tank tops
4 regular v neck shirts <—-2
1 long sleeve shirt (my SUMATANGA shirt from Greg Spoon!)
Old Chaos
Acis
4 sox
2 Nalgene
ENO Hammock
Slap straps
Mess kit
Camping utensils/ spork
Swiss Army knife
PETZL Headlamp
Flashlight
iPad Mini & charger thank you Sewell family!
Computer & charger Thank you MOM for my new MacBook Air!
IPod & charger
iPhone & charger Thank you MOM!!!
Favorite bible Thanks for helping me find and order a new one Paul!
Passport
Hepatitis A&B vaccine
There it is friends!
This is what you can pack into two backpacks to live off of/ out of for an 11 month long mission trip serving around the world!
This whole fitting my life in a backpack might take a miracle so I’m thankful that God specializes in that department 😉
Packing is already a humbling adventure! It’s unbelievable really, what we think we need and what actually NEED. I have so so much to be thankful for and am continually amazed by the Lords provision. Im excited to really pack and to see the miracle of this coming together! I need all the help I can get! This may take a village 😉
If there is an item you would like to donate or help cover the cost of, please don’t hesitate to contact me! I would LOVE to hear from you and would be so blessed by your help! It’s crunch time folks, I NEED YOUR HELP! PLEASE Consider Sponsoring an item, donating on the link below or supporting me in anyway you can!
Please Consider partnering with my Mission to GO by Clicking HERE!!!
Peace and blessings,
Beth “is packing” Milam
#BethBeyondBorders #InTheWorldAsItIsInHeaven
Then I heard the voice of The Lord saying,
“whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. SEND ME!”
Isaiah 6:8
