Let the Travels Begin

  Today I said good bye to my aunt and 6 year old cousin who were here visiting in Ohio.  We had a wonderful week filled with berry picking, swimming, enjoying some water slides, and simply laughing at all the crazy things a 6 year old says.  It was great to see them, and even greater to know that I will be seeing them again in about a month.  I also said goodbye to my high school friends who were home for the summer, as many of them have departed to return to school or jobs outside of Ashtabula.  It was great to spend time with them and find out how their lives have been changing.

Cooling off

 As for a Chad preparation update, I have all my shots and I got my malaria medication in the mail today (big green capsules that I must take each and every day).  I have also opened new bank accounts  and am still searching for the best evacuation insurance for my needs.  I still must apply for my VISA, if only the Chadian embassy in the US could get their website up and running again, my life would be much easier.  I have started gathering items to pack, including 2 fans!  In regards to fundraising, I am so grateful to the people who have donated to my adventure thus far.  I am about $2000 away from reaching my goal to fund all my necessities for the trip.  Prayers for me in learning how to trust that the funds will come in as well as how I might be able to reach more people would greatly be appreciated.  The family I will be living with next year has arrived in Chad to begin the transition back and anticipate my coming in October of course!

Nothing like a freshly picked black berry pie.....

...to watch the sun set and the moon rise!

  Aside from figuring out additional trip details, August brings about the start to my traveling.  First up my mom and I are driving down to North Carolina to visit family down there.  My grandparents will also be riding down, thus the large collection of books on CD that we just borrowed from the library.  We will depart bright and early on Thursday and return Sunday evening.  It will be a quick, but worth while trip.  Let the State countdown begin....thus far Oregon, Ohio, Pennsylvania....