**(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.