how do i put it in words?

this week has been one of the hardest for me.

after years of praying, months of planning, weeks of packing...the big move was right smack upon me.

busy as a bee i have been-
packing boxes, organizing, re-packing boxes, packing suitcases, and packing crates...
oh, oh, oh- deciding what to put in the infamous "oranges" for the over seas extravaganza!
what a task!

one of the hardest parts this week-
deciding if this or that makes the cut!
does it go with us?
is it "special" enough to take up space in the pod?
must we give it away?
is it going to goodwill?
life. all the "stuff".
the couches, beds, mirrors, clothes, spices from the kitchen, baby stuff...that we gave away...
all of it represents my life, our life
over the past 10 1/2 years.
and it was hard to let it go. i wanted to keep it for next time. for later. but, we just couldn't.
we were out of space
and really... it's just stuff. and there is more where it came from. right?
still, it was hard.

then, oh then, there is the house.
the house
where with every wipe of the counter and every turn of the corner
memories flood my mind. life.
my life. our lives.
babies being raised. taking first steps. movie nites with popcorn. 4 kids in the jacuzzi tub. dinners. christmases. views from the back. homework. baking cookies.
memories. home.
life.
it was there in that house.
and it was all i could have wanted it to be.

but, greater than all that
is God
and God called us to do something, something big
and no matter the cost
here we go
yes, i have moments of tears, of fears
of leaving home, our close families, our friends,
all we know
but God
He is with us always and we are following Him,
praising Him that He chose us to use for His glory!

so today we are "homeless"
homeless for Christ.
maybe i should put that on a bumper sticker
except that in just a few days we will be "car-less" too!

not sure i really put to words all that is running through this head and heart of mine.
but i tried.
if you're reading this
please pray for us this week and every time you can
yes, we are excited about this journey
but so many other emotions swirl around too.


as for this week...

we finish tying down loose ends.

loving on friends and family

and preparing our hearts and minds
for the adventure of a lifetime

one that calls us to sacrifice

one that will forever impact each one of us and so many others