THE WORLD RACE!

Don't forget....my updates are at:

karistembel.theworldrace.org

Preparations III

Heading South!

Moonlit sky bright above

Curled up waves upon the shore

Rolling in between my feet

Calmness and a sense of peace

Our First Stop

This was my first night experienced in Florida! I have arrived, but much has happened before this point. On August 29^th, my parents and I headed south with a few stops on the way. Our first stop included visiting my sister Stephanie at Grace College where we went to lunch and visited a few buildings on campus. We then headed down to a river near Winona Lake. Right in the middle of this inlet next to the river on the grass, the four of us sat down, held hands, and each prayed; we prayed for safety, for my departure, for God to work in ways never seen before, for unity, for my brother and sister while at school, for friends, for each of to be impacting lives no matter where we're at, but most of all that we would all be in God's will, that we would LIVE in His will this year each moment. It was a powerful and unifying time for each of us. Stephanie, and I have become particularly close this past year and a half and it was hard to leave her, but we hugged and hugged again for a long time, and blew our usual kisses good-bye. We ended with a great big, "I LOVE YOU and I WILL see you later!"

Indy Visit

In our little blue convertible Audi, we headed towards Indy where we met up with my cousin Lori and a few other friends at the Old Spaghetti Factory. We had some good talk and some good food J ! It was so great to see them again and say a few more ‘see you laters' before leaving. And as I said in my last posting, I have the best friends ever! On the way to Lori and Ryan's house (my cousin and her husband), Lori and I did some wonderful catching up and got to talk about where we're at in life - something we haven't had the chance to talk about in years. I really treasured that time with her. We stayed in their beautiful house for the night before leaving once again early in the morning around 6 (for anyone who knows me, that is a tough one for me!).

(Left front to back: Christine, Chris, Me - Right f to b: Lindsay, Lori, Chris (my mom) and dad is taking the picture)

FL Arrival

And we were off for a LONG day of driving down to FL. Our goal - midnight. I ended only driving about 3 -1/2 hours total with my dad driving the rest. We made it safely down to Melbourne, FL a little earlier than expected (woohoo!) where my cousin got us a su-weet deal on a hotel room right along the ocean front! Here's where the beginning of my post comes into play. WOW!! I am SO thankful God is as creative as He is. At midnight, we had the opportunity to walk along the ocean as the waves faithfully rolled in and the big bright moon was reflecting off the ocean. The soft sand sunk down between my toes and I just walked peacefully - just me and God. In that hour, God spoke so much truth into my life and revealed new perspectives to me, things I had never thought before. What an wonderful Creator we have who cares enough about me to take time and speak right to me!

(sorry picture didn't come out very well -
I wish you could see the ocean!!)

The next day was spent with my cousin Timothy around town, touring his college campus, viewing his house for the year, meeting some of his house mates, and driving back to his parents' house (my aunt and uncle's).

FLYING

My cousin is an aviation major and has his pilot's license so every moment he gets, he takes someone out for a fly. My mom, dad, Timothy, and I went out yesterday (Saturday) afternoon. It was a great time had by all….well, almost all. Sadly my mom loves the view but gets motion sickness so she wasn't able to handle it very well, but it was still a wonderful view from up above (did you know Florida is mostly swamp area?? Well, I guess I knew that, but forgot just how much of it is and can't be built on!). Thanks TIMOTHY for one last flight with you before I leave!

Last minute packing

There have already been last minute trips to the mall and Wal-mart for things needed. I am now two steps closer to be "ready" for this trip; #1 I have hopefully purchased everything needed and #2 I rolled my sleeping bag, sleeping pad and tent up all by myself tonight! I know, it seems like a no-brainer, but I haven't actually had the time to do it myself until now. Now I know I can do it (which is a bit of a relief to me). I may have forgotten to mention that among my preparations back home, I obtained a new drivers license (before the dreaded big 2-5) and got my hair cut for easyier management while gone. There are still things to be done tomorrow, but hopefully Tuesday will be a time of rest and enjoyment with my parents and relatives before driving up to the base on Wednesday where I will begin training.

Excitement

As the time nears and as the trip becomes more of a reality than just talk, I get more excited. Much time, thought, prayer, and MUCH more has been put into the preparation of this trip. I can't wait to see what God is going to do this year!! Before there was much fear, and yes, fear and nervousness of the unknown is a natural feeling, but that feeling no longer overwhelms me and takes over, much more excitement has entered my heart and God has given me such a peace about everything. He has made this happen; He has put the pieces into place; He has surrounded me with tons of supporters and prayer; and He has promised great things! What more could I ask for??

Preparations II

**(just a reminder.....i will not be able to update this site as often as my WR blog @: www.karistembel.theworldrace.org)

A multitude of heavenly hosts

Imagine being surrounded by millions of angels surrounding you so closely that the enemy can't even see you; He can't get in because there are so many standing tall hovering over you. Imagine an overwhelming feeling of peace and comfort because of it. This is what I experienced Sunday morning at my church, the church I grew up in, the church I call my second family. As the elders, deacons, mission committee, and my family gathered around to pray for me with tears in their eyes, I knew God had brought many to pray for me and many angels to protect me. I can not even begin to tell you the overwhelming feeling that came over me as they prayed. I am blown away by how many people have committed to pray for me faithfully this year and gave me a verse to remember throughout the year. I am in complete awe of God's goodness and the amazing people He has placed in my life. Thank YOU for praying and for your support of me. You are a part of this trip is so many ways—you have given me the resources through prayer, money, encouragement, supplies, and your all around support - I'm just the one God is sending to go, you helped send me!

Farewell Open House

Sunday afternoon, I had lunch with some of my extended family to say good-bye and later on an open house for friends to see me again before leaving for a year. Some I hadn't seen in a very long time and it meant so much to me to have them come. Some drove three hours or more just to say good bye and show their support. I have the best family and friends ever!! We had so much food for both lunch and the open house and it was all because of aunts and cousins who worked hard several days to prepare for the event.

Saying good-bye

As I stood at church talking to people after the service (the last sermon I will hear from my home church before I go), it did not hit me that I would not see these people for a year. I will miss my church family very much, but no matter how many miles away I am, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt I have hundreds of people thinking of me and praying for me. As I was saying good-bye and hugging friends and family throughout the afternoon and as they came and went, it seemed as though it was just an open house celebration for graduation or something of the sort. And then it hit me at the end of the day, woah, I won't be seeing these people for about a year, but I didn't view it that way as they were departing. One of my best friends reminded me in an e-mail this week, " Remember Kari, it is not good-bye - it is just see you later !" and she's so right. Oh, at that moment, as I read her e-mail, I needed the reminder. It is a surreal feeling to be leaving for a year, that I am this close to actually doing it instead of just talking about, but it is an exciting and exhilarating feeling. The verses people gave me were just the perfect verses to encourage me and God knew they were just what I needed to hear now and throughout the year!

How to Stay Updated and Contact Me

This year, I do not know all the details of when I will be able to call, have access to a computer and internet with internet etc…but I will give you the information I can.

The first website I will always update when I have access to internet will be my World Race blog at: www.karistembel.theworldrace.org

I will also be able to receive e-mails on my blackberry phone when I have service, so feel free to e-mail me at: krazykari@comcast.net

We will also be using Skype when available. When I am on and you are on, I will be able to communicate as an instant message system by typing as well as have access to talking as it were a regular phone line, all for free! My Skype name is kari.stembel if you are interested in trying that out when I am online.

Facebook, MySpace, and Xanga will be checked as often as possible and when time is available, but will not be my primary sites for updating.

No More Updates on Xanga!

So......a little quick update!  I have arrived in Florida and got to walk along the beach watching the waves come in and the moon shining down last night.  It was wonderful.  I won't give all the details on my stop in Indy yet or the drive down--hopefully later though. i wanted to let you know that while I am gone, I will not be able to update this often at all.  If you want to follow me around the world please visit my website at:  www.karistembel.theworldrace.org.  if you want to recieve automatic updates each time I post a blog, please go to the website and click on "KEEP UPDATEd" and enter your e-mail address.  LEAVE ME COMMENTS!!  I would love to hear from you throughout the year.  I will also be receiving e-mail at krazykari@comcast.net throughout the year.  Be patient, as I will not alwasy be able to respond right away.  THANKS for all your prayers--it means alot!! I will try to update at least one more time on here before I leave the country. I'm going to miss everyone!!!!