It’s Now Or Never What seems like years and years of preparation has now finally come to the day before. (It hasn’t been years, it’s only been six months) Tomorrow I’ll be getting on a plane with my dad next to me. We are flying to Tanzania to climb Kilimanjaro. People ask me if I’m ready? They want to know if I’m fit enough? My honest answer, I’ll tell you when I get back. I have no clue if I trained too much (which I doubt) or if I’m completely walking into a fire. All I know is this mountain has become a much bigger “thing” in my life than ever expected.
Challenges I’ve faced so many different challenges during this short journey. Physical and emotional challenges and a person don’t realize what it takes until you take it on. At least I can say now I’m walking towards this mountain a much stronger woman than what I ever imagined existed in me before this life changing choice of mine.
Packing I packed yesterday and honestly I hope I have enough of what I’ll need over there. If there’s one thing I don’t want, is to be cold. We are only allowed 15kg’s for the five day summit and one day decent. That might sound like a lot but it’s not when you have to include your sleeping bag, jackets, rain suites etc. For a Summer vacation at a beach resort I can pack no problem but this is a new ball game for me. Camping... let’s just say I’m more of a Hotel Resort kinda girl and actually prefer it that way. So packing was a bit of a challenge only because I have no experience in this. Again I’ll let you know how I did once I’m back. Only time will tell.
Nerves Yes I’m nervous I don’t make it. Yes I’m nervous for the unknown. Yes I’m nervous that I am not fit enough. Yes yes yes, I’m human and I am going through all those emotions. I try rise above it at all times but can I be honest? I just want to get there now and do it. This count down and talking about it all the time is not helping the nerves. I seriously just want to do it and pat myself on the back, while saying MOVING ON.
My Kids I’m leaving my kids behind and this is the hardest. Not only am I leaving them while it’s still school but I’m also leaving while my daughter will celebrate her ninth birthday. It makes me sad that I’m going to miss her special day. I probably won’t even be able to call her on her birthday as that day we will be so high up on the mountain that there will be no signal. I would love to say that she’s okay with it but she’s not. She’s really given me a hard time about this and this has made it a little harder than expected when I first made this decision.
Vacation Time On a more positive note, it does feel like I’m going on some exotic vacation. It feels like I’m going to a place where I can rest my soul and be still in front of God and just listen. I look forward to the time with my daddy. I look forward to the time with me. I look forward to see if I still have what it takes to conquer mountains like I use to back when I was a kid. I’m going to rest in a different way. I’m going to find my inner peace.
How Will You Know My blog will be off line during this time, I’ve decided to bite the bullet and go self hosted. This will all happen behind the scenes while I’m climbing my mountain. Thank you to the wonderful friends I have that’s helping me with this. I’ll be off Instagram from the moment we leave the Hotel on Monday morning until the moment we are back on Saturday. Make sure you follow me on Facebook, that’s where all the updates will happen. Check in every day to see where we are and what we are up to. Please comment and I’ll reply as soon as I can. I count on everyone’s support and prayers. I won’t be on Twitter, but I’ll be back as soon as I can be. There’s a Kilimanjaro Facebook Update Page where they will upload photos as much as they can and you can also follow our journey there. Thanking the team in advance for everything.
Thank You
The support and love has been overwhelming. I’m in awe. The way you guys care has touched me deeply. Thank you for all the support, love, messages, gifts, prayers and even a surprise party. Really I did not expect half of it.
