countdown : 24 days

I can't believe its already nearly time for me to start packing! Only 2 weeks of classes left, and just over 3 weeks until I leave for Juneau!
Currently I am at about 65% of the minimum amount of financial support I need to be able to go! I know that I still have support coming from a few friends as well as from First United Methodist Church! With that, I should be within the range I'd hoped for! God certainly has provided for this! I also have been averaging 43 hours/week between my two jobs (on top of school) which has helped provide for my financial need for project as well! ...and I must say, I have only been able to work so many hours and keep up on school work (as well as keeping a positive attitude) with God's help!

Lately, one of my friends and I have been doing a lot of hiking and conditioning with our packs to get in shape for this summer (as she is going backpacking in Utah and I will be doing some while in Juneau) It has been great to see some unexpected ways that God has worked even just as I have been preparing for this summer! I have been able to share with numerous complete strangers about how I will be spending my summer, leading them to tell me they want to know how things go while I am there and want to hear about it after I return. Some of these people have workers at Bushwhacker (the outdoor shop here in Peoria), as well as at the Forest Park Nature Center, and even people I meet out on the trails! I know that God is going to do much in me and with me this summer and am so excited for it all!

I can't thank you all enough for all the support you have given, the encouragement, prayers, and even the interest you have taken in this project!