Blog Transformation...

Well, my blog is officially changing course. I originally created this blog for my photography class last semester, so feel free to look through some of my old posts for photos. But now, with 4 days left to go before I board the plane, I think it's about time that it gets a makeover.

Plans for the trip are coming together. (Notice, I said coming together, not ready to go)... but I am confident that everything will fall in place (or else, my mom will be shipping me things I forgot - - like .. shoes. No, I think I'll remember those. I even finally got a pair of Toms to take with me. So I feel pretty good about the kid in need who's about to get some shoes.

Things I have done: gotten insurance! Finally. Although it is mainly for catastrophic purposes... seeing as how anything I would actually need it for (i.e. all my arthritis issues) won't be covered because it's a pre-existing condition. So please pray that I won't have any major medical issues while I am gone, and maybe that the medication I'm on will start to work and I will have some relief from pain.

I have all my gear that I need I think... got a hiking pack and a sleeping bag, which made me feel pretty outdoorsy... even though I'm not. I think James liked it - we now have two good reasons to go camping.

I haven't packed - I haven't gotten my save the dates addressed and ready to go (something I'd love to do in the next few days)... I can't quite find my passport? and I'm waiting on my hard drive to arrive (I had to get it shipped off, but I need to take my computer with me). can't find my ipod, i don't have travelers checks, and I am not fully funded. At the moment, I am funded for the lecture phase (first 3 months) but not for the outreach phase (second 3 months)... so please pray for that to miraculously come in.

I know this all sounds VERY chaotic, but for some reason I am very much at peace with everything and I truly think it will fall in place somehow. I think a lot of my reassurance comes from knowing that I have a great team of supporters who will step in when I'm gone to take care of the wedding plans, and who will help me if there's something that I need once I am halfway around the world.

I am going to attach my little flyer that I made that just has all of my trip information on it... and one more thing - here is my address in New Zealand:
Chelsea Nielsen
Justice DTS 2010
YWAM Auckland Central
PO Box 68913
Newton
Auckland
1145
New Zealand

and my home address, in case anyone should need it, is 1032 Beechtree Rd Jacksonville, NC 28546. That is where you can send any support checks for the next 5 weeks.

More posting soon - what a crazy and fun adventure this will be...