I know who goes before me

                                 I know who goes before me

                                                     I know who stands behind

                     The GOD of angels armies

                                      Is always by my side.

                                             The One who reigns forever

                                                     He is a friend of mine

                      The GOD of angels armies

                                      Is always by my side.                         ~Chris Tomlin

This song has been playing on the Christian radio station.  I find myself drawn to it every time. The God of angels armies is always by my side.  Always.  I know who goes before more. I know who stands behind.  I believe this in the very depths of my being.  The God that I serve and love has so graciously prepared a way for us.  He has prepared us for a time such as this.  And not only us, but those we will encounter and work alongside in the Pearl of Africa. He has gone ahead.  He has provided.  He IS Jehovah Jireh.  And because of this, I take great confidence that he also will come behind.  That He will protect.  Yes, I battle fear.  Yes, I have worries.  I can choose to allow them to overtake me, or I can surrender them every time they surface, and then focus my thoughts on

"This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged.  For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." ~ Joshua 1:9

We have 11 days left (but who's counting?).  Any given day, or moment, I face the gambit of emotions--joy, fear, sadness, excitement, frustration, impatience, hope.  Marc has finished working at the Seattle office and it is great to not have him on the other side of the state.  We make more sense together, than apart.  

Packing has begun.  I am constantly asked if we are sending a container of our belongings. Not this time.  So the next questions are how do you know what to take and how will you get the stuff there.  I know several people who are serving overseas and they have shared their suggestions, and I have keenly listened.  We will take bedding and some toys, familiar/comfort foods (at least to help at the beginning as the kids get used to the food), kitchen gadgets/knives, movies, and presents (since we will be there for Christmas).  

Our baggage consists of a couple duffle bags, a few suitcases and a few hardy plastic totes.

We are also packing all of our non-clothing items in Ziplock bags.  It will help keep bugs out, once in country, and prevent transfer of smells.  Because who wants chocolate chips that taste like Dove soap?

Lastly I would never have even known where to start if not for this dear friend who came and helped me sort, stuff and begin the packing process.  Without her, I would still be staring at the pile feeling highly overwhelmed.

It's the final countdown

20 days.  Seriously we have 20 days left on U.S. soil.  I am constantly being asked how I'm doing.  The truth....I'm overwhelmed.  I'm excited, but I am overwhelmed.  We spent the last 3 Sundays speaking at churches in Washington and Idaho.  I have a great respect for missionaries who itinerate around the country speaking at different churches EVERY week. 

We have been filling our time with as much family time and memories as possible.  We went apple picking with friends, pumpkin patch with the grandparents, trick or treating with the cousins, and baking cookies  and carving pumpkins with grandma.  I am trying to love these moments and not feel sad that we will miss them next year.  I try to focus on what's ahead and what we will experience as a family, but I am a sucker for nostalgia and traditions.

Even as I get overwhelmed I am so very confident that God is taking care of us and all the details.  We have been raising funds to help us on the field and that has been a crazy humbling journey.  We have received funds from unexpected sources and not received funds from expected sources.  In all of this I give Him praise. He has reminded me that He is Jehovah Jireh, our provider.  Fundraising isn't awesome.  I'm brand new to it.  I don't love it.  But I do love watching God take care of our needs.  Some people may not take their families to Africa, but they may make a monthly donation to us, and truly are partnering with the work and ministry we will be doing in Uganda.  I am blessed.

Our flights are booked.  We leave on Monday, November 25.  20 days from now!  Even our flights were an example of God taking care of the details. We ended up getting great flights that leave out of Spokane at 2:30pm.  As compared to the other flights we almost booked that had us leaving at 5:45 am.  Who wants to leave at 5:45 am? With kids? And fly for hours and hours?  NOT US!  So British Airways will be our lovely host in the skies.  And we get to spend a few days with my dear dear friend Andrea and her family.  Andrea was my maid of honor and I haven't seen her since my wedding 7.5 years ago.  So 2 kids later (for both of us), we will reconnect outside of London for a few days.  Again, I am blessed.

So what does one pack for 11 months in Uganda?  We are cramming what we have into 12 suitcases (3 per/person....thank you BA for your generous baggage allowance!), at 50 lbs a bag.  I have tried to cover my bases from comfort snacks, bedding, toys and gifts, to the practical of any medicines 2 adults and 2 children might need in a foreign country for months on end.  I am starting to feel that I have "over" prepared.  I just want to help my kids embrace the newness of our culture, with some things that are familiar and remind us of home.  But as I look at the mound of items to pack I feel like it is excessive.  A bit ironic to be complaining about the abundance of stuff I have as I head to a nation that is stricken with extreme poverty.  Once again, I am blessed.

Just a pic from my newest favorite acquisition to take with us...





















Pics to follow as we pack, say good bye and embark on the next part of our journey.