In Recent Days...

        In preparation for the big move we have begun our “purging” and boy are we doing just that! I’m beginning to realize there’s quite a bit of a difference between those things I “need” and those things I actually need. As I type this, it seems so simple, but the truth is, it’s actually been pretty difficult. Let me be transparent for just a bit. As I went through my things the other day, I realized I had a really hard time letting go of certain items…part of it, as ashamed as I am to say it, was that I liked having a diverse and plentiful wardrobe. However, part of it is that I have had so many of these things for so long, and with time, comes attachment. On the other end of that spectrum are the things I haven’t had long at all (all of our wedding gifts) that I don’t feel quite ready to part with. The hardest things for me have been the kitchen things. There have been many a meal served on those plates, people crowded around the table, joy, fellowship, prayer, tears. It’s hard to let go of that. As silly and insignificant as plates may seem, this is honesty. But thanks to a sweet sister for buying them, I am confident the Kingdom of God will be served with those dishes : )  For Nathan, the difficulty is with books. We could keep them…store them…but as Nathan sweetly says, “books are meant to be read.” There are some hands we have picked out that we desire those books to fall into: ) We are confident they will be read, shared, and used to equip and encourage.

        The Lord has begun to show us just how transient this life is. But a vapor… As difficult as it is to let things go (more difficult than it should be) He is teaching us that these things are temporary. It has become a new motto as I go through my closet and come to something that I don’t need (or ever wear) and say to myself, “This shirt is not eternal. The souls of people in Israel are.” He is beginning to give me a bit of perspective (shout out to my wonderful mom’s blog). Now, I don’t say all of this to say that possessions are bad. We will have possessions in Israel. However, we are learning (note: are learning, not have learnedJ ) not to set our minds on them. To remember Whose they truly are and from Whom they came. May we have a deeper and richer understanding of the Gospel and what has been given to us.  It is then that we can sell (or use) our things with sincere joy and for the glory of our King : )

On another note, we have learned the Hebrew alphabet! Apart from the fact that there are no vowels, we can somewhat sound out words: ) Just for funsies…