So there I was, basically all of my valuables strung out across my sisters living room when I thought to myself “There is NO WAY this is going to fit.”
“Just lay out everything you would like to take and we can narrow it down from there.” My sister reassured me.
“UGHHHH… there is so much here!”
It may have taken a few hours, but eventually I got it figured out and, aside from my short list of incidentals I will need to get before I leave, I am pretty sure I’ll have… completely and totally over-packed for this thing.
I know this is not uncommon so **future racers** please know that you are not alone! You will look at things like your phone, laptop and tablet all sitting together and think “which are necessary?” You will look at your favorite shirt, sweats, hoodie (fill in your favorite thing here) and wonder “Should I bring it? It’s sure to get broken, lost, wore out, etc.” You will absolutely think of things that you NEVER use here that suddenly, you think you’re going to use while you’re away! (Don’t … It’s a trap!).
Now I have done lots of traveling, lots of moving, and lots of being without a “home base” (if that makes sense) in my life, and anyone who has known me for a while knows that I am unfailingly under-prepared.
Like I said there I was. I was trying to decide how many shirts was enough shirts, how many skirts would meet the minimum requirement (you may also know that’s not my thing) how many pairs of basketball shorts are acceptable? The list could go on…
Thankfully my voice of reason (My sister) reminded me of a few things:
1. You don’t have to have everything you could possibly need for a whole year.
2. Don’t bring things you won’t wear. That just doesn’t make sense.
3. Bring things that will remind you of home.
4. It’s OK, just keep going. You will figure it out.
So now I am packed, mostly. (I am not sure I will be posting a full blown packing list before I leave, but I may attempt it.) Now, with my departure date coming up so soon, I am mostly trying to emotionally and financially prepare for this adventure. So I have a few updates/ requests:
— If you would like to see me before I leave (whether we are close or not) let me know. We WILL make a date, a visit, a skype date, a phone call, whatever happen before I leave!
— If you feel so inclined, I would absolutely LOVE letters to read during my trip. You can pick later dates if you’d like, draw pictures, whatever floats your boat. I would love messages to take with me from those who love me. =)
— WE have raised over $10,000 … let that sink in a second. Hold on, I’ll tell you again … $10,000 that is HUGE. Also, that is the entire reason I am able to launch with the rest of my squad so THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU and PRAISE GOD for his provision. That being said, My next goal is $13,000 by 2/28/17. Please consider helping me reach this goal so I can stay on this race and continue to serve! You can do so by just clicking that little donate button at the top of this page.
— Please, please, please continue to pray for me, for my team, and for this squad. They are an amazing bunch of people and I can’t wait to see what God has laid out for us this year. There are so many big things happening and none of it will be successful without your prayer and intercession.
If you made it to the end of this, thank you so much for your loving, caring support. I couldn’t and wouldn’t be this far without all of you and am so unbelievably thankful for each and every one of you.
I suppose that’s all for now. I promise to be more consistent with my blog posts in the future.
Much Love!
–Dacey
