We have a little more than six weeks left before we travel back to the US for what we believe is a permanent move. At this point in the journey, most would be pulling out suitcases, finding things to give away, selling those lesser-needed items, and clearing out spaces to be tidied up. In our house, we have slowly begun to do these things. Doug's developed a list of items for sale and has alerted those among us that we're ready to release some of our possessions.
For example, Jacobey sold his seven inch jungle knife just yesterday. (If we'd taken it to the States, it would have been considered a weapon, and we would have been considered nuts to have allowed our eleven year old to bear arms. You know though, when in Rome.....) I've already given away the shoes that Darius grew out of before he wore them very much; I figured my Ecuadorian friend's grandson would appreciate them more than Jacobey would two years from now when he finally grows into them. The list goes on and on.
So, some of these tasks have begun to get our attention. We're pondering what to keep, what to leave, what to sell, what to give away. All lists, except for the first, are fairly long. Yet, it is not just material possessions that have captured our focus for these remaining weeks. Doug and I have found ourselves shifting from the physical to the emotional, the mental, the spiritual. We now are more attuned to what we will be taking with us in our hearts, minds, and spirits. These are the greater things. And, we are more attuned to what we will be leaving behind....
For one, I noticed my husband (I'm having a hard time not crying as I write this) just a couple of days ago allow someone to completely disrespect him. The person informed him of their dislike for him in no uncertain terms and in their unwillingness to come to resolution with him. My husband's response? He completely forgave, did not hold a grudge, chose to serve the person anyway, and is not devastated by the entire situation! I see my man has chosen the better way. He's chosen the way of Christ--a by far much, much harder thing to do than to be resentful and overwhelmed with anger and hatred. Doug's therefore chosen to leave behind baggage that has no benefit for us as we move away. He has been molded into a stronger follower of the One who moved us here in the first place. After all that he's experienced, my sweet husband still chooses to say,
...I am blessed to have eaten lunch with my wife and kids every day.
...I am blessed to have spent time folding clothes, doing dishes by hand, and serving my family in many chores.
...I am blessed to have gone without a car, a big house, a yard so that I could spend more time just with my family.
...I am blessed to have worked at a job that took me out of my comfort zone so that I could learn much more about schooling younger kids.
...I am blessed to have served and worked with others who did not know me or appreciate me so that I could learn how to work for the Lord and not for man.
...I am blessed to have known little Spanish in a place where it is necessary so that I could see what others experience.
My husband chooses to see this trial as one that blessed him rather than disabled him. I'm so proud of such a man! We truly will return different people...
Praise God.
Blessings, kim
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