To Pack, or Not to Pack?

That is the (updated, slightly less existential) question.

Yesterday we had another PNG meeting, and the main focus of our time was what to pack, where to pack items (carry on or checked), how to behave when traveling, how not to behave...all sorts of details.  As is often the case with me, I was right on board and excited about getting to the nitty gritty.  (This is actually happening!!!), but then when we continued talking about very specific things, I started to feel a bit of trepidation creeping up on me.

 However, I gulped, took a deep breath, and made a decision to focus on what I thought would be most important and improve the trip.  I tend to be a person who likes the packing process, and one of the things I am most looking forward to before we leave is creating an itemized list of everything I am packing personally and everything the group is taking for the VBS. The completion of an organized list--can't wait! 

Here are some of the items we talked about yesterday...I will leave it for you to decide if they are in the category of pack or not to pack. 

flashlight
insect repellant
wallet
lots of gum!
hairdryer
passport
expensive jewelry
prescription medication
camera
laptop
hydrocortisone
snacks
flip flops
piano (okay, we did not talk about this one, but I like the image).

ONE MONTH!!!

LAST CALL - Monti's la Casa Vieja

Calling all PNG mission trip supporters!  Here's our last official fundraiser for the Papua New Guinea Mission Team of 2012.  Monti's is graciously donating 15% of all  Sun Valley sales to the team.  This is special for us - not something they normally do, so come on out and show them you appreciate it!  Print the flyer below or tell your server you are with Sun Valley.

And check out these prices!  Sunday Brunch Specials starting at $10, including a 7 oz Carved Prime Rib with mashed potatoes and broccolini!

Look forward to seeing you there!

The map below shows an easy way to get to Monti's La Casa Vieja. Just head to the SW corner of Mill and Rio Salado.


View Sun Valley to Monti's in a larger map

Macayo's Fundraiser

Here are a few of the many who turned out to eat for a good cause!  Thank you so much for all who made it out to have a great lunch and help us reach our financial goals for the trip.  It was a delight to see all of you there!  If you think of it, when you go back to Macayo's, let them know how much you appreciate them doing fundraisers.

Next stop: Monti's.  We are having one more restaurant fundraiser.  It is this Sunday (August 19) at Monti's (across from Tempe Town Lake).  If you haven't been there, don't be frightened away by the steakhouse label...there are menu items for $11.  And, the place is HUGE...you will not have a long wait (and probably not any wait!) The owners of Monti's are doing this fundraiser specifically for our team (they have never done one before), so please support us and them this Sunday!

Friday morning shots

Well, my arms are still a little bit sore, but getting vaccinated was a much more fun experience with friends than it would have been without them.  Dennis, Kevin, and I met at Passport Health Services in Tempe to check this task off our list together.  I was impressed with Nurse Kelly's knowledge and kindness to us.  I felt like I learned a lot instead of just getting jabbed in the arm multiple times.

We are now ready to face just about any sort of virus, bacteria, germ, or infection that comes our way.  We are vaccinated against mumps, measles, rubella, typhoid, tetanus, pertussis, whooping cough, hepatitus A and B (and maybe some other things I have forgotten), and we have medication to fend off malaria and to tackle *ahem* other traveler's concerns.

As may be obvious from the above picture, Kevin is pretty much a big baby when it comes to pain.   (Or, is so very accommodating when it comes to posing for a picture...you make the call).  Actually, we were all pretty stoic when it came to the shots, and I was impressed that Dennis managed his in one arm while recovering from shoulder surgery on the other. 

Unfortunately, I am still getting used to this compact camera.  The picture with Kevin and Dennis and the map is supposed to be very funny.  The map is entitled, "Risk Areas for Travelers' Diarrhea."  The interesting part for me is that over half of the world is marked red, for high risk.  So, apparently, if you travel pretty much anywhere, be prepared.

Afterwards, Kevin and I stopped off at a nearby Starbucks, where he spotted the Papua New Guinea poster at the top of this post.  Who knows, they may have them in every Starbucks everywhere, but neither of us had noticed one before, and we found it very cool and encouraging that we saw it right after getting the vaccinations.

I am ready for a great trip with both of these friends, as well as the rest of our terrific group.  I continue to be so thankful that God has put the exact people together to benefit one another, others we will serve on the trip, and the purpose of the trip. 

It's getting shockingly close to one month until departure!!! 

Restaurant Fundraiser

Join us for lunch or dinner at Macayo's on Dobson and Baseline this Sunday, August 12th.  Print this flyer and bring it with you, and Macayo's will donate 20% of your bill to the Papua New Guinea Mission Trip!  If you have any questions, please contact Lori at lori@nickbastian.com.
Thanks!