Saying farewell

I received a warm sendoff from my congregation today.  It's good to have their prayers.

Packages on their way

I sent the rest of my junk to Israel today, and to my surprise, sent my books and leadership materials by the elusive USPS M-bag.  Elusive?  Well, it's on the USPS website and was recommended by the UMKC Study Abroad coordinator, but I had no luck finding anyone at several post offices who believed that such a process was possible.  But my postmaster in Creighton called the postmaster in Garden City who told her to send me over.  Voila!  BTW, M-bags are ~50% of international parcel post.  We'll see how long delivery takes.

Getting closer...

My techie friend Sheila got my SIM card installed in the phone.  And my kitchen package arrived in Beer Sheva. So at least I'll have coffee and tea available those first few crazy days.

And I have two meetings set up with BGU faculty.  They will be in final exams when I arrive, so I'm glad I can meet with them.

Two more lessons left with my Hebrew teacher...

Cell phone with NES mobile

I set up a cell phone program this week with a very favorable calling allowance.  They're sending me a SIM card for my phone, so that I will have service when I land in Israel.  Yeah!

Approval from UMKC

Today, I received THE letter approving my sabbatical leave.  Whew.  55 days until departure!

Progress on several fronts

1. I got a verbal approval of my sabbatical from UMKC.  I await THE letter.
2. I signed up for international health insurance (BTW-their site worked).
3. Did a test pack of my suitcases, and to my surprise, everything fit and was under the weight limit.
4. Bombed out with the Post Office on cheaply shipping books, so I'm rethinking what needs to be shipped.
5. Got the passport out of the safe deposit box.
6. Made contact with a Beer Sheva resident that will be helpful when I get there.
7. Less than 8 weeks to departure!

UMKC swag

UMKC's anniversary provided an excellent opportunity to buy some travel gifts (at a discount).  I procured 8 yellow kangaroos and a couple history of the UMKC kangaroo motif t-shirts.