Freaked out

"I can't believe we are leaving in two days!" Jubal told us yesterday.

"I'm excited, but I'm also a little bit freaked out," he told us seriously, and we all laughed at his apt description of all of our feelings.

It's funny how kids can hit the nail on the head without realizing it. It's coming down to the wire, the point where I can no longer sleep in the mornings. I wake up at night with things running through my head that I forgot to buy or pack. Everything is mostly done, I think, but as I look around my house, I can still make lists of the unfinished items. At least the list is shorter than a page now. Progress.

Vaeh left for school on Friday, and the house feels emptier without her. She sent me a picture of her dorm room, cozy with strings of lights and Bob Marley playing in the background. She's doing a good job making a home away from us, much cleaner than she keeps her room here (ahem), and although I don't know how I'll make it without seeing her every few months, it's not because she needs me there, but simply because our family feels incomplete without her with us. Ezra and Rikot both leave after we fly out, and somehow that makes me feel like we are the ones leaving them, even though Ezra goes back to a school and soccer team and new roommate this semester, and Rikot goes back, truly back, to her first home and family. They all have beautiful, exciting things ahead of them that we aren't a part of going forward. Our family, as we've known it, might never be here again, in this space, together. And that makes me feel a little freaked out. 

Kenneth and I have reflect​ed out loud about the year, and honestly, it’s been a crazy one. I know that God has called us to Liberia, my head knows it, but the reflecting has really helped my heart. I’m starting to see how his plan has been unfolding throughout these past two years, and it's like watching The Sixth Sense while knowing the ending. It all falls into place. Sometimes I forget that He orchestrates everything, every little or big thing, whether we understand it or even notice it. It’s part of His plan. And He really is a master storyteller. 

All this to say, we may be a little freaked out, and we may be struggling through the changes, but God has us in his hands. He has definitely shown us that in big ways, and I know he will continue to do that for us as we start this new phase of our lives. 

A BIG way He has shown up is in our finances! We are at about 70% of our monthly support, which in my mind is practically 100%. He has always cared for us abundantly, over and above all we need, especially when we are overseas! One of the things our monthly support goes to is saving for trips back to visit our older kids. I couldn't imagine moving away from them without the ability to go back if they need us, and so, we built it into our budget. 

Our startup fund is growing as well. I don't think we are all the way funded, but close! We are hopeful that we will be able to buy a vehicle that will fit our whole family (our biggest and most expensive need) when we get there. 

A few praises to share:

• Our leach field stopped working completely this month. This is a praise because it happened BEFORE we left. We also have several friends who have volunteered their time and expertise to get a new one put in. Thanks so much Deric and Kevin! (and Tim and Lance for digging up our garden!) 
• God provided the money for a new leach field before we knew we needed it!
• We had a work day at our house right before Christmas that was so helpful in getting us 90% done with our house! Thank you to everyone who came or provided food!
• It's snowing :)
• We are all healthy finally, just in time!
• Several of my kids got to go skiiing/snowboarding this week for the last time.
• We are (almost) all packed, so come by tomorrow and say goodbye! We leave around 5pm.

A few prayer needs for the week as we head out:

• Jireh has taken up screaming, and it's not pleasant. Pray that he has a good experience traveling and doesn't feel the need to scream. 
• Pray for health for our family. We have had the stomach flu twice since November and would love for it to NOT come back!
• Pray for our kids' hearts. I would love for them to be able to see this as a grand adventure and not an uprooting of their lives. 
• Pray for our adult kids at college and moving to Uganda that their moves would go smoothly, especially Rikot as she flies alone internationally for the first time. 
• Pray that we find a vehicle in our price range that has air conditioning and fits our family!

We will update from Morocco! Thank you all for praying and for being such an amazing community to us. We are incredibly blessed to have you in our lives!

"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21