The process of letting go

The next step is here - return to the states and interview with the leadership at our NTM Bible Schools for a job.

Our flights are booked and we leave the 28th of May. Soon after we arrive - like within days - we will drive or fly to Michigan for the job interview.

So many questions come to mind as we head this way.


1.) When would we move??


2.) How much will it cost to live in the USA, will our support be sufficient?


3.) Where will our kids go to school?


4.) What will my job be?


and so on...


But first we have to move.


This process is not like the typical moving process. We must sell almost everything. We get 10 suitcases and 5 carry ons to bring all that we treasure most - and also the necessary things ( like tax record for 7 years!!!). A few people here have offered suitcases, since most people returning to the US are just going for a month or two they don't need all that space. But still at the most I can see us having around 15 70 pounds suitcases to pack.


So we must sell, give away or throw away the rest - you know the stuff you hang on to that has not value to anyone but you - like kids school projects, cards old videos etc. Then when we return to the US and we must decide what we need to replace or what can we live without. A lot of the stuff we are selling are things we need to replace - yes, even the kids toys, hopefully we can find stuff at garage sales for good deals...


Most of our kids toys, and most of our books will stay.


Most of my kitchen stuff will stay, bedding, curtains, pillows, etc,


Of course, all furniture will stay.

What goes with? our favorite stuff, like the kids favorite toys, my decorations and pictures that give our home the same feel no matter where we live, clothes, of course my scrapbooks ( man are they heavy) and card making supplies!!! My favorite books, and smaller kitchen tools. Quilts, computers, DVD's (thank goodness those are smaller than videos) and so on. It is exhausting!!! You try to imagine what is going to fit in our few suitcases and hope for the best.


The hard part is that we are selling our stuff to friends and co-workers. People with little money, and big needs. How do you ask for a fair price. I can't ask what it will cost to replace it if I am going to buy it new - I am selling a used product, yes, a lot of these items I brought from the US, and you can't find them here, still is it fair, I don't know??


As you can see it is hard to let go.


I do think we have put good prices on the stuff, as most is already spoken for, just a few things to sell.


So please pray for us as we go through this, it isn't easy, I find myself worn out with the thinking.

The waiting place

Sometimes my life feels like that part in this book where it says sometimes you are at that waiting place. As many of you have experienced personally, waiting is not something we humans enjoy. I am also one of those crazy people who like to plan things, and like it when I can plan out my near future and get excited about what is coming next.

So here we are, ready for the next step and waiting for news on where that will be and what??? It is not easy. Scott and I find ourselves looking at each other and say things like "maybe we will hear today??" or "what if it that isn't what God wants, then what???" Along with the waiting is the need to plan for our time in the states, to schedule meetings at churches and with friends and supporters. Yet, we really should know what we are doing before we make those plans, so we wait...

Please pray for us as we wait and pray that God would make our hearts ready for this next step. That where ever we go next it will be a place we can be used by God to the best of our abilities. Pray for our support needs for this next step. As we change locations it will affect our support as often it is based on where you are working.

So while we wait, we work, each day busy with the job in front of us. Lives God is touching, kids He is preparing for a life of service. Our senior class and their exciting future. As always, no matter what stage of life we are in, we are surrounded by people to serve and minister to. So we stay engaged and stay focused - but it isn't easy!!!