Mefloquine (Lariam) dreams

I am testing out different anti-malaria med options because doxycycline made me super ill. I have two other options. One of those is malarone but it's about $6 per pill and it's a daily pill so unless I marry a handsome doctor who gets drug hooks ups...I'm going to avoid that one if possible.

This left me with mefloquine. It's a weekly pill that is much less expensive. My travel doctor starts asking me a bunch of wacky questions like, "have you ever tried to kill yourself or thought about killing anyone?", "Have you ever suffered from depression or psychosis/hallucinations?"

no, not yet! joking, joking.

Turns out mefloquine can make crazy people even crazier so it's prescribed pretty hesitantly. Once we determined I was probably in the clear to take this medicine she wrote me up a two week test dosage. I guess if I have any underlying undiagnosed issues, we'll find out now! HA!

I googled some of the side effects and found a bunch of blog posts from people who have taken the drug and experienced some wild dreams. Thankfully they are just weird, and not scary.

One week in and I've only had two dreams.

The first one takes place at Neiman's. Somehow I rationalized buying a super pricey handbag because it also converted into a backpack. I spent the rest of dream feeling insanely guilty for spending so much money. When I left the store, I saw that my car was stolen but I had keys to a Hyundai in my new handbag/backpack contraption. I decided I would steal the Hyundai and go on about my life.

spending money= super guilty... grand theft auto= no guilt.

My 2nd dream was even better because I was just best friends with Taylor Swift and who doesn't want that?

I really haven't had any horrible side effects--- praise the Lord! I think we might have found a winner!

Oceans

On a totally random note, I am just so loving this song right now. I stumbled upon this cover video and love it! It's called Oceans (where feet may fail) by Hillsong United. Here are the lyrics:

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
[x6]

I will call upon Your Name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine

My very first newsletter, you guys!

I have some deets...

My MAJOR update is that God provided my funds so quickly for this upcoming trip! In one month enough support came in for me to head out on the first part of this journey. ONE MONTH. I know, right?! So cool. I have the neatest people in my life. Thanks God! Thanks everyone!

I am now in touch with my foreign partners and we settled on travel dates as well.  I was able to reserve my flights today and get my visa paperwork filled out which is so exciting. I will leave early September and return mid October. I will be on the other side of the globe for about 6 weeks and I gave myself an additional week when I return before going back into the office. I thought I might need some time to get back on a sleep schedule and reflect on this trip.

During these e-mails back and forth with my new friends, I was given two choices. The first was to pick one spot and stay put during my visit. My second option was phrased, "do you love flying and want to explore different ministries?" Um, I actually loathe flying. I immediately imagined what type of planes I might be hopping around in and I am pretty sure I like living so...I decided to go for it! I figured the point of this trip is to learn about what God is doing and how I will fit into that equation. This is the perfect opportunity to explore these different ministries and see where I can plug in to serve long term. I am terrified and excited. Pray for my pilots and the people lucky enough to sit next to me, haha! I don't know exactly what the details are or what they have in mind but I am on board. I will definitely let you know what awesome things I get to experience through this. :)

The last exciting update I have is that my foreign partners (I really need to come up with a better name to call them for these updates...Ideas?) will be in California in August. This means that I will actually have the chance to meet them before my trip. I am SO excited about that! 

Prayer Requests

• I applied for the 10 year visa which will eliminate the cost of future visas and make things super smooth for future trips. Pray that I am approved for the 10 year visa! 
• That's all I can think of right now so maybe I'll have more requests next update! 

XOXO
Samantha 

PS- if you want to donate, you still can! all funds will go towards this trip or my future move. all donations are tax deductible ;) here is the link to give online: http://www.convergeworldwide.org/give/197742. You can also sign up to receive my newsletters here: http://eepurl.com/ztAqX