There are some things I would like to accomplish before leaving for the Race, and I'm going to share with you here in hopes that they will actually get done! Some are serious and some are goofy, but they are all true!
1. Plan ahead a specific time and scripture to read each day (Thanks Aunt C!) I realize that I always have intentions of being in the Word, but since I don't have a set time, it often gets pushed around, shortened, or totally ignored. As I am preparing for 11 months of spreading the Gospel, I want to be experiencing oneness with Christ and be at the center of His will. I want my life to be fully devoted to God, and not just have a "God part" to it.
2. Work out 4 times per week and be active on the other 3 days. Every time I've made plans like this in the past the main goal has been to look "better"- basically just appearance focused. Now that I'm going on the Race, my real concerns are the fact that I have little to no endurance…I'm just a little bit weak 
And while I know God will make me strong, He'd probably appreciate it if I at least made an attempt to get off the couch….
3. Read more spiritually encouraging and challenging books. I LOVE to read, Always have, and I know I always will. I particularly love fiction, and while this does not mean that fictional books are never spiritually encouraging, I tend to really love things like epic adventure stories. Eragon, Percy Jackson, Kane Chronicles, Harry Potter, Hunger Games…I've read them all….sometimes twice. Oh, and anything Jane Austen or similarly related! These books are interesting, well-written, and can teach good lessons, but in preparing myself for this journey (and life in general!) I want to be more focused on Christ. So here is what's on my list:
Praying God's Word, Beth Moore
Breaking Free, Beth Moore
Kingdom Journeys, Seth Barnes
Having a Mary Spirit, Joanna Weaver
Confessions, St Augustine
Thirsting for God, Gary L Thomas
4. Raise ALL of my support. I technically have until January of 2014 (6 months into the field) to raise all of my support. However, this is something I just don't want to have to be concerned about while I'm out there serving! I know that God has a plan for how my funds are supposed to come in, and perhaps part of my journey will be being on the field and still needing funds. But I do 100% believe that it can all be raised before I go, through the power of God, so I hope that's what happens
5. Spend quality time with friends and family. This is pretty much a given as I will be going for 11 months without seeing them, but I want to make it intentional. I want to make the trip home to Richmond to see Lilly cheer or play soccer. I want to go to Patrice's equestrian shows. I want to have dinner with Scott & Leslie while cuddling Captain Jack. I want to get coffee with Lauren T and Rachel. I want to talk in accents with Anna. I want to go to a One Direction concert with my best friend, Lauren K, 2 months after she gets married (THAT"S ACTUALLY HAPPENING.) My point is, I want to do the things with my friends and family that are meaningful to our relationships. There are so many people I didn't mention here, but trust me, I want to spend intentional quality time with all of you!
6. Go to Busch Gardens. What? Yes, we just hit one of the "goofy" ones. Riding roller coasters is one of my favorite things, and I just realized I haven't been to an amusement park in over a year. So I want to do that before I leave, and I want to go with Dad and Lilly. Dad, because he's my park buddy. Lilly, because she's never been to Busch Gardens.
7. Watch Downton Abbey. Haters gon' hate. I've only heard good things about this show and I haven't seen it yet. Let's make this happen people.
8. Learn about the 11….as in the 11 countries I am going to. Perhaps in the weeks leading up to my July launch, I can assign each country a week and just do some daily research on it. What are the main religions? A brief political history? What is the culture like? How do you say "Where's the bathroom" in their language?
9. Form a prayer team. A small group of people I am close to that I know I can rely on to pray for me every single day while I'm gone. People I will be able to share more private and personal details with in the knowledge that they will be on their knees before our God presenting these request on my behalf.
10. Make a list of firsts. Starting now and carrying on through my entire adventure, I'd like to keep a list of first experiences on the blog. It will be a way to commemorate the fun and challenging things I'm going through, as well as keep you (my readers!) updated on the adventure!
In conclusion, I'd like to give a special shout out to Lauren Tapscott for the inspiration she gave for this post! Goals, list of firsts, and a couple of the books were all her! Love you!
