So I am sitting at my parents house in Abilene right now, watching Cinderella with my little sister. I have moved out of my apartment in Houston and moved home to spend time with my family. It’s nice to be home. I got to see Doug briefly the other night and Dale and Triston are coming to visit in July. Mom, Dad, Katy and I are leaving Saturday to go on vacation. We are roadtripping to Rapid City, South Dakota to see Mount Rushmore. We are stopping in Albuquerque, Pagosa Springs and Denver on the way. I am really going to miss Houston. Saying goodbye is very bittersweet and surreal. I had a week between when school was out and when I moved home. I tried to fit time in with everyone I cared about. I had one last lunch with my mentor, one last dinner with several friends, stopped by to see my friends with new babies who will be walking when I get home, and I had a really fun dinner with my girlfriends at the Melting Pot.

It’s very strange to say bye for a year to people you see so often. The race seems likes its coming really fast, and like its really far away all at the same time. I got asked so many times as I was saying my goodbyes if I was coming back to Houston when I get back from the race. ‘Good question’ is my response. I’m trying to not make a plan. Dad’s not making that easy on me though…love you Pops. So other than just enjoying being with my family right now, I am starting to gather things I need for the race and finishing up my preparations.
I wanted to update you on my fundraising. I lack about $3,000. I did a volleyball tournament at my church in Houston. It went really well. Doug came and played with me, and Mom and Katy came and helped! I also did a Parents night out at my church. Total between the two fundraisers, I made a little over $500. I have a lot of t-shirts left over. There is a possibility that we will do another tournament in Abilene. If you are interested in a t-shirt let me know. They are $10! The other thing I am collecting is old cell phones. I have collected about 40 of them and will send them to be recycled and will get money for them. Let me know if you have any lying around that you would like to me take off your hands, I would be happy to.
Please continue to pray for me, my family and my teammates. September 1st is right around the corner. I’m not only preparing to go around the world and share Jesus with others. I’m preparing to say good bye to all my friends and family, and to live a life that is very different than the one I am currently living. Exciting and a little scary! Thanks for reading this.