I realized it has been too long since I last posted and I wanted to update everyone on our current status. We are still here. We delayed our departure date from September 8 to later this fall given the status on the sale of our home. This was a really hard decision to make, but one that both of us felt necessary given all the details involved with selling our house. We continue to be working with the same buyer, we have finished all inspections and completed all repairs. We have gone through the appraisal and God was extremely gracious to us giving us exactly what we needed in this! Huge praise! Now it is time to wait for the rest of the paperwork to go through. Waiting can be so hard, but we know that God has a purpose even in this.
During this time Dan has been able to go back to work for MMS which is a blessing and I have picked up some shifts as a substitute doctor through locum tenens. God's provision and timing is amazing. We are still anxiously awaiting our departure to Kenya, but know that this will come at exactly the right time.
As we push forward I have attempted to start packing our suitcases for Kenya several times, but often quickly find myself overwhelmed. 7. This is the number that keeps swirling through my head. Seven is the number of suitcases we can take with us to our new home. Of all the things we own and want to take with us they have to fit into seven pieces of luggage. Wow. That task is daunting. Growing up, when we would go on vacation it was always a competition between the different members of my family to see who could be the lightest packer. Having two brothers who liked to point out their efficiency in the packing process definitely left me not wanting to be that stereotypical girl that has to bring three bags filled to the brim with unnecessary accessories that she likely will never even use. If my bag ever seemed too heavy it wouldn't be long before one of my siblings would ask if I had brought my bowling ball collection along. Haha, very funny. Light packing has always been a type of game, a challenge. My brothers definitely never wanted to have a heavier bag than a girl for fear that they might be labeled "high maintenance" - when it comes to name calling this is one of the worst ;-)
Somehow though, this time is different. This is a different type of packing. Thinking through the next two years and what we will need not only in terms of personal clothes and toiletries, but also medical supplies we are taking, books to reference, linens, etc. I find myself fighting internally with wanting to take only what is practical and yet looking at our pictures, throw blankets, quilts and wanting to bring a few simple pleasures to add familiarity to a completely foreign place and attempt to make our new residence feel like home. With every new thing that gets added to the list to bring it seems that one more thing needs to be taken away from the growing pile. How do you decide? I obviously don't have any of the right answers. It remains an ongoing struggle. I know this will all sort itself out in the end. This is just some of the growing pains that come with the journey we are on. Minimalizing your life is tough!