As you know, we're planning on moving overseas in the "near" future. Of course, only God knows the exact time. We hope it is early 2011… but we'll see what God's timing is. In the meantime, we are doing our part to prepare. We are raising our expenses. We are completing paperwork. We have medical things to take care of, passports to get, and THINGS to get rid of!!
This is where "Letting Go" comes in. We've been married over 18 years! We have LOTS of STUFF. We have 5 kiddos. THEY have LOTS of STUFF! Even though we've been "preparing" to go overseas for at least 10 years… we've never been this close. We've tried to live with the "wartime lifestyle" that John Piper speaks of. We haven't been about acquiring the newest & the best… but it does take some stuff to live… a table to sit at, beds to sleep in, books to read, toys to play with, coats for the winter, etc.
In order to help us be MORE ready for our overseas departure, we decided (after some prayers) that NOW would be a good time to move to JAARS Center housing. This will save us some money, a four bedroom house just happened to open up, and it will FORCE us to get rid of almost EVERYTHING!
You see, when we go overseas, basically we're only going to take what we can take with us on the airplane as checked baggage. Shipping stuff is too complicated and expensive. Where we attend language school will have basically most things we'll need for setting up house for very affordable prices… more affordable than shipping stuff from the states. Also, electronics from here won't work over there unless we have an adaptor.
So, that leaves us with a lot of things here! Some of it is EASY to get rid of (if we can find someone willing to buy or take it). Then there are the "things" that I'm not so sure about. Things we received as wedding gifts, other gifts we've received, items we have collected over the years… things like: fine china, serving dishes, keepsakes, scrapbooks, etc. Of course I WON'T take these overseas. But do I pay for storage for these items for YEARS? Our families don't have extra "climate controlled" rooms to store our THINGS! Of course I'll keep scrapbooks and photographs, but what about the other stuff? Will my kids care about any of it 30 years down the road?
So, as you think of us, please pray for us to make these "simple" decisions that are VERY difficult! We're moving to center housing on June 19th… I need a LOT of the decisions made BEFORE that!
Blessings,
Melinda =0)
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9
Father, help me stay focused on you and not be anxious about these decisions. Help me get rid of everything joyfully as a sacrifice to you. My joy is in serving you. My desire is to serve you with a totally surrendered heart. Give me wisdom in knowing what to keep, what to sell, and what to give away. Give me peace in all these choices. In Jesus precious name, Amen
1 comment:
When we moved from Texas to NC almost two years ago, we decided to sell or give away anything that would not fit into a 16' moving truck. And we moved into a smaller home. The decisions were sometimes tough, but sizing down and refraining from shopping has been a good move away from the materialistic emphasis of our culture. With kids, it's tougher.
Post a Comment