A little updatey-do
Well, it’s the day after Christmas, and I feel like I can breathe a little bit more. We still have another Christmas gathering at my parents’ this evening, but that’s the last one. As I’ve said before, I really do love Christmas, but this year’s has just felt so un-Christmasy to me. And I know it’s because we didn’t have a place to unpack our bags until December 21 – and even then, we’re only here until January 3, when we get to do the process all over again. We’re getting pretty good at it.
So today I’m going shopping (I know! I’m crazy!) to look for Christmas goods for (hopefully) dirt-cheap. Methinks I won’t be finding any Christmas decor in shops next year, seeing as they don’t celebrate the day in our new country, so I’m going to see if I want need to replenish our stock of holiday gear. I won’t go nuts because I already have one box of decorations we’re taking, but there just might be something we’d really appreciate at this time next year, when homesickness will be at its highest, and I don’t want to miss that window to buy it for 80% off. We’ll see. If not, then we’ll just cover our home with homemade paper snowflakes. And we’ll be just fine.
So yeah… We’re here in Austin until we move overseas, except for a vacation that’s required of us by our sending agency. And of all the things on our to-do list, that should be the least painful. So our (now) very short list of requirements looks like this:
- Raise the rest of our financial support
- Do as many correspondence classes here as possible; finish the rest in our new country
- Go on a vacation
And if you’ve known me at all in the last 12 years, you know what an incredible miracle it is that this is all that’s left to do. This is it! Amazing. Other than spending time with friends and family here, this is all we’re focused on. Our Father’s in control, but we hope to see these things checked off as soon as possible, in the next two months at the latest (I mean, have you seen the thermometer on the right? Wow.).
In the meantime… Any suggestions on good vacation spots around January to February that aren’t outrageously priced? We’re open to either a family vacation (as long as there’s plenty to keep Chickpea happy) or just the two of us, granted we secure week-long babysitting. I have ideas, but I’d love to hear any recommendations.
posted: 06 December 26
under:
Wow. Do you have an actual departure date set, or is that contingent on your support? Do you have to hit 100% to go? I know different sending agencies handle that differently.
There’s a big part of my heart that would love to live in that “the Father’s in control, let’s see how it goes” moment. I mean, I know we should all live that way, but … too much of my life is predictable (I won’t say structured, LOL, I’m not good at that) and comfortable. It’s hard to walk in faith, sometimes, when you’ve settled into a cozy spot. And of course getting out of that cozy spot and seeking that living-in-faith is more complicated when you’re married and not on the same page (although at least in the same Book! LOL!)
Praying for your final weeks here …
Our departure date is still up in the air, because we have to be at 90% monthly support in order to buy plane tickets. Hopefully that won’t be too long from now! And yeah, the goal is to be at 100% by the time we leave. Trust me, when we have an official date on the calendar, I’m sure I’ll be talking about it. I’ll probably find some ticker.
I know what you mean about that cozy spot. It sounds weird, but my cozy spot has been the preparation process – I’ve been in it for so long, it feels kinda scary that the actual leaving part is almost here. It’s like – what a minute, is this really the plan? I thought we were going to spend the rest of our adult lives preparing. I didn’t realize we were actually supposed to apply anything we’ve learned in our prep time.
I feel like clay in His hands, really!
so i’m looking at treadmarks issue no. 15 and looking at the thermometer on the website, and i am totally rejoicing at what God has done with your support in, what…a couple of weeks! it’s beautiful. i love it!
Rachel and i wanted you to know that we are praying for you, and we want to encourage you in this: that you are part of a new generation … that the Lord is raising up specifically for the last days. [extremely encouraging, yet edited by the site owner for security reasons] …the Lord will do this for His glory and for His renown, an everlasting sign which will not be destroyed.
we love you guys and are so inspired by your “Yes” to the Lord.
grace and peace,
John
Wow, John. Thank you. I don’t know what to say but… thank you. That was incredibly encouraging for you to say that. We love you guys too, and are so thankful for you in our lives. You are a blessing to us.