Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Purging and Packing

It's really starting to hit me. It's been hitting me all along in different ways. For instance, about a month ago when us girls (my cousins) sang at Magnolia (I posted about it), we were practicing that Saturday before. I started choking up as we practiced and couldn't sing thinking about how that was the last time I was going to be singing with them for a while. I regained my composure and luckily didn't do that during the real deal the next day, but yeah...it's coming quickly and boy do I know it.

Mama is keeping the kids right now. They are spending the night with her tonight and tomorrow night. We gathered all of the things that we had in storage today and started going through every bit of our belongings. We will be doing that tomorrow and the next day. We have to make decisions about it all...will it go with us, will it be shipped ahead of us to Brazil, will we give it away, will we trash it, etc.? It's tedious, sad at times, freeing to get rid of stuff we don't need, hard to decide about some things...and it's dang busy.

The goodbyes are starting to come too. We've seen several people lately that we know we aren't going to see for at least 3 more years. To think about our children and how they will be 3 years older (a huge difference in a young child's/baby's life) when we come back, before our loved ones will see them again...and I may even have another baby by then...it's hard and sad. None of the really hard goodbyes have started yet, but again...it's coming quickly.

For all the sadness that a move brings like this, there is also SO much excitement. It is heart-wrenching, but we know that God has spectacular things for us and we know that as heart-wrenching as it can be, we would be miserable if we stayed. We press on. And, we remember...

"And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for My sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will have eternal life." (Matthew 19:29)

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I just don't want to think about it yet. However, I did notice on the calendar yesterday that we have about 7 more weeks. The thought that my grandchildren might not know me is horrible. But I also know that you are in God's will and I'd rather you be in Brazil than living here out of God's will. God might just send you back to this mission field at some time. Anyway, I'll be like Scarlett and just think about this tomorrow. I love y'all so much!

Anonymous said...

Mama said...
I just don't want to think about it yet. However, I did notice on the calendar yesterday that we have about 7 more weeks. The thought that my grandchildren might not know me is horrible. But I also know that you are in God's will and I'd rather you be in Brazil than living here out of God's will. God might just send you back to this mission field at some time. Anyway, I'll be like Scarlett and just think about this tomorrow. I love y'all so much!

9:59 AM

Anonymous said...

uh-huh. ap

Anonymous said...

I really should not read your blogspot at midnight. I know it is all true but I do miss you already. I can be like Scarlett, too. Love ya!
Aunt Marilyn

The Brodines said...

Oh dear Michawn! I love you and I can somewhat relate to the hard good-byes. The verse you shared is one that I cling to at times when I have felt lonely and frustrated as I see my little girl grow up with no family around. It is hard at times, but yes, the Lord does provide other family--the family of Christ--who will be temporal grandparents, aunts/uncles, etc. I will be praying for you guys especially at this time as you await those hard good-byes. When I return from Honduras I always have this huge void in my heart. I always cry at the airport like a little girl and those first weeks after my return are always hard. Press on my friend...I know you are! Remain close to Him!