Okay... not sure where to begin. I've attempted this so many times within the last week or two. There would be moments where the kiddies would say something so beautifully, I'd get a huge glimpse of God in our everyday, or I'd just feel the need to send a shout-out and let you know that we're still here, and all systems are still go. But, nothing flows -- yet I think that's okay, considering the place in time our family is in and what's on the very close horizon.
So, a post of random updates (and a lot of Bob Loblaw) -- to keep you all in the loop.
Three weeks from this exact moment, we'll be in the air, flying from Minneapolis to Atlanta, and connecting to Johannesburg, South Africa. We'll arrive at 5:20pm on February 12th, and dear missionary friends Mitch and Char Hildebrant will be waiting for us with huge hugs (we'll need a lot of them!). We'll stay overnight in South Africa and make our way to Swaziland (four hours by vehicle, crossing the border) on the 13th, where the rest of the Children's Cup team will await.
The kiddies just left this morning for Eau Claire, Wisconsin to share a week with both sets of grandparents. They'll come back late next week. Next Wednesday through Saturday, I am flying out to Connecticut to see one of my dearest pregnant friends from college -- Tracy (Brooks) Shortell -- and will have four days of "girl time" with her before we're off to Africa and she's off to being a mommy of two. :)
While the kiddies are gone, Steph and I are busy packing, downsizing, discarding, donating, and selling. Our huge dumpster arrives on Thursday, and most of our furniture and "stuff" will be moved when the kiddies and I are away. And when we all reconvene as a family on the 29th, we'll have a lot more square footage of space and nothingness -- and less stuff to make our way around!
Sunday, January 30th is our open house (see prior post for details -- all are welcome!). The days remaining will be spent emptying the house of what's left, taking an extended trip home to Eau Claire (where most of our family is), enjoying an awesome night out with some friends on the 9th, and spending our last night with both sides of the family in a hotel close to the airport on Thursday, February 10th. We'll swim, decompress, and relax together. We'll also celebrate Avery's 8th birthday (March 14th) a little early with a surprise party, so keep it on the down-low!
That's the rundown of our remaining three weeks in the States.
Lately, we tend to get a lot of the "how are you doing... how are you feeling?" type of questions -- almost like people are waiting for us to crack, panic, or freak! Honestly, we're still completely at peace, maybe we're a little numb. It most likely hasn't hit us yet (I tend to be a little more rattled under pressure). But, this journey has been awesome. Each and every step of it -- especially because we're following Him and what He wants for us. Is it tough? Sure it is. Is it overwhelming? Sure it is. But it's an awesome overwhelming. He has called us out -- and although it really hurts to leave family and friends, this is His will for us. We're completely honored to be chosen to do His work in Swaziland, Africa.
"We can carry the weight on your shoulders, or we can say, 'I give up Lord; here's my life. I give you my world, the whole world.'" -- Bruce Larson
So, in close... that's our update. We are all good. Life is crazy, but it's all good. The burden is so light for us, and the weightlessness on our shoulders is indescribable. We are so thankful.
PS -- Bob Loblaw -- say it ten times. It's fun. We love our Arrested Development. :)
