I can’t believe it is already May (and half way through it no less)! So here is a short update:
We have our tentative leaving date: Sept. 28, 2008!! I am so excited, and I can’t wait, only 135 days until I take off for the adventure of a lifetime!
Physical training: I ran 2.5 miles nonstop last week. I know this is pathetic to all my marathon running teammates and friends, but this was a big step for me. God is teaching me a lot though my training, and I am starting to look forward to it:) I finally have my pack so I will begin training with that soon:)
Ignition Training Camp and the rest of time before I leave: Dates were finalized and I have my tickets, I will be flying to Atlanta, Georgia on August 2, for a week of intense training with my teammates! We are all looking forward to meeting each other, and finally having more than digital images, voices, and information to connect us! From Georgia, I fly on August 10, directly to my friend Emily’s wedding in Alaska for what is sure to be an incredible week of fun, hiking, reflection, laughs, and reunions! Then I fly home to get back to work on August 19. I will continue to work until Sept. 12 when I will head down to Carlsbad to pack, move and get ready to go!
Memorial Day Fun: I am super excited that I will get to meet 5 of my teammates over Memorial day! All of the California Racers are hanging out, probably going to the beach. We are all really looking forward to really spending some time together.
Stuff: It is incredible how this process includes a major weeding out of everything I own, and at the same time requires so much new stuff. Thanks to REI I have gotten some great stuff on major discounts. I have my pack, my tent, and my sleeping bag, but I still need other supplies, such as
- a sleeping bag liner
- a new camera (my old one is just that old and you can tell, I don’t want to go on this trip without a camera that can do some justice to the things I get to see)
- a pack cover for plane travel
- a mess kit
- a travel towel
- a warm jacket/fleece
- a day pack
If you feel like you would like to support me by helping me purchase any of these items, or if you have something you won’t need for the year I am gone, please contact me via the Contact Me button on the left.
Fundraising: I am currently at $3865! this is about 25% of what I need to complete the trip. I still need to raise $11,735. If you want to contribute, just click the Support Me! link on the left hand side of this page. I can’t do this without the financial support of coworkers, friends, family and most likely strangers. I am having a fundraising dinner at Taffy’s Pizza on June 3, if anyone in Santa Barbara is interested! Please contact me and I can email you the flier you need to make sure your purchase goes to contribute toward the trip.
God is great, and I am amazed at how He is sustaining me through this process. As I grow closer to Him, running toward him as I prepare to take a huge leap of faith, He is ever present. He is so clearly with me and my teammates as we learn about each other and get ready for this. It is such a blessing to get to be part of the World Race. I realize that this is an incredible opportunity, I can’t believe I am going to get to travel the world and serve Him. It is only my faith in Him that reassures me that He will make it happen, He will bring me where He wants me, and I will GET to be HIS hands and feet. What an honor.
Here is a picture of my friend Cailin and me when she came out to visit… teammates– I’m the one in blue:)
** and I updated my Why I love Santa Barbara blog with my own pictures:)
