Life Update:
As of yesterday, I am officially a Drexel Alum!
216.5 credits, three minors, and four years later, it has finally come! A few days ago, I contracted some sort of virus that has been going around work. But after calling out sick the day before graduation, God has given me the strength to make it through my graduation and all the pomp and circumstances that come with that! It's hard to believe that I really am done. I have been "doing school" for so long, I don't know how to feel about being done.
I am SO thankful to be done! But it hasn't hit me yet. I'm still living in the same apartment, with the same people and thanks to Drexel's screwy quarter system, everyone in my house is either still working on coop or is gearing up for another term to start in a week. And I am still working at the same place I did my coop last year and have been working part time there since that ended. So, life is still the same. Except now I can work more hours and spend more time organizing fundraisers instead of going to class and doing homework. 🙂
Now for fundraising:
I still have a long way to go before I can say that I am fully funded but I figured those of you who have supported me one way or another would like to know the progess of my support raising so far. Plus, I've also had a lot of people asking recently. So here goes!
Thanks to all of my donors, a successful Yankee candle fundraiser, a successful [and ongoing] cupcake making campaign, and graduation gifts, I can say that I have met my first financial checkpoint, weeks before the deadline! PRAISE THE LORD! I haven't even added in all of the graduation gifts, but as of now, I have $3956 in my account! I needed to have $3500 by the beginning of July in order to attend training in July. So I can joyfully say that I WILL be going to Atlanta for training to meet my squad and get wrecked by the Holy Spirit in preparation for this trip! I have read so many blogs from people who recently finished training and am so excited for and looking forward to writing about my own Training Camp Experience!
On to Equipment:
Thanks to a generous graduation present, I have all the bare necessities I will need for my trip [tent, backpack, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad]. And thanks to a great friend, I have already tried out my equipment during a weekend hike on the Appalachian Trail. 🙂 Since my pack is only 59L, space [and weight for that matter] are at a premium. I will not be bringing much with me, but there are a few things that have been highly recommended by other racers who are either currently out in the field or have recently returned from the field. I have assembled wish lists on Amazon and REI of these gadgets/gear. If you are looking for a more tangible way to donate to my trip instead of just donating money, I would greatly appreciate any help you can offer in making these purchases! Below are the links to each.
AMAZON WISH LIST
REI WISH LIST
Thank you all for your continued support and prayers! Day after day, God continues to confirm this trip as his plan for me!
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." -Proverbs 16:9
I am still not sure how I will raise $15,500, but I know that God will provide. His plan will prevail and He will see that the money is raised!
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." -Isaiah 55:8-9
And I find peace in knowing that I do not have to figure this all out by myself. *sigh*
