Bits and pieces

I've lost track of time.  I know Christmas is coming soon and that the move to Rwanda will be upon us before we know it, but to figure out what day it really is, or calculate how many days are left until we move is a bit beyond me.  Right now, it's take on one project at a time, pray I don't miss anything and help our family walk through this transition.  Daily I am asked how are we REALLY doing?  While my friends push for a deeper answer, the most honest one I can give is "good".  Yes we are "happily terrified"--but that feeling may last for some time yet.  Every day, we cross another thing off our to do list and get one step closer to Rwanda.  I do what I can do, but surrender the rest each night and trust God for His strength for tomorrow.  It's all I can do and it is "good".  

What about our children?  This is a huge transition for them.  I will do my best to convey what I've witnessed as our family prepares for this move of a lifetime.

The youngest is surprising me.  He is the most resistant to change, yet he is the one embracing this adventure more than ever.  He has been asking some good questions about what to pack, what is there and what we leave behind.  Even having strangers coming through for showings hasn't phased him.  Today, he was packing his favorite toys to take to Rwanda and talking about the friends he will have and his new little brother (a 2 year old who just came to the orphanage).

Our next youngest is doing good, too.  He talks about the children, what we will see, what we will do and daily life there.  The hardest thing for him to leave will the activities with his friends.  Even with these things to leave, he is looking forward to what lies ahead.

Our youngest daughter has shown the most enthusiasm.  She's been excited from day one, though, as the months draw out, it's the being "caught between two worlds" that is tough.  While there's so much to do, the days and weeks of being with her friends and knowing she has to say goodbye soon has been challenging.  Being as social as she is, I can see how much she will miss those here, but her sense of adventure will help her adjust quickly.

For our oldest daughter, there's a quiet confidence, but something more.  Ultimately, this is a dream come true--but coming true earlier than expected.  I am sad to say that I didn't fully comprehend the reality of her emotions while packing up . . .she will graduate and who knows where God will take her?  There's a peace, but also a sobering reality that her life is about to radically change.  I understand this, but how can I share in that acknowledgment? I know that deep sense of upcoming change and the laying aside of everything familiar, knowing that our life will never be the same.  

For our oldest, there's probably the least amount of enthusiasm, but the most confidence that this is what we are to do.  Leaving friends is incredibly hard for him, he builds close friendships with people of all ages and is a friend to all.  Most of all, he loves church and reaching out.  It will be this passion that God will use to bridge His love to the people who need it the most.  From the beginning, he viewed this  opportunity as something that he will never regret.

As I watch my husband lay down a job he absolutely loves and embrace this adventure (did you know Kim hates change?), I am in awe.  To see him light up as he talks about Rwanda, the people, the village and the children, I am so excited to see the passion in his face!  

In a nutshell, as the date to depart draws closer and our emotions go through highs and lows, the bottom line is that we know where we are to be and look forward to what is ahead.  This passage from Philippians sums it up well:

I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Philippians 3:14 NLT)