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.
Pack a few good kitchen knives. I'm not in Africa but that was one of my biggest frustrations when we first moved here. (I've brought new ones still in the package and in checked luggage and haven't had trouble.) Praying for you!
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