preparations

Well, it has begun. The preparation part. Finding out what vaccinations are recorded and what the schedule is for getting them. Taking passport photos. Registering for training. Each day we are attempting to sort through something or someplace in the house. Suitcases are multiplying in the garage. We are now up to 14. The kids are having to make daily decisions about what things they value most in their life. Does it go into the storage tote, the Zambia tote, garage sale box, Grandma's house or the cousin's box? I knew sorting would be hard for us, but I didn't calculate the emotional toll it would take on all of us. We have had a lot of great laughs as we have pulled out things from their younger days. Old books I used to read to them were met with exclaims of delight and demands of me reading it to them again. They didn't understand why I was crying as we cuddled on the couch and read Ping together. I mean, for pete's sake mom, this book is about a duck! Yes, I know, but its so much more than that. It's me realizing how blessed we are living together, having shared memories together. People who love us and care for us. We are healthy, we are safe. We have food to eat today...and tomorrow...and the next day. All of the things I take for granted that I know will be lacking in a lot of the people's lives we have the opportunity to serve. I am struck by the fact that the most important thing I can do to prepare my children's hearts is to PRAY! Pray He will enlarge our hearts for the Zambian people. Pray He will give us opportunities to serve children living in extreme poverty. Pray He will help us to share our resources. Pray His love will fill our hearts to overflowing and it will pour out onto others. Pray that He will be glorified in all we do as a family.