Purging

We have spent the last 2 weekends going through this house and purging.  (Well, not exactly purging.  We are putting it in the garage for our garage sale next weekend.)  Let me remind you we live in a small house so we can't really accumulate much.  But I have even been surprised at how much we are getting rid of.  We, along with most of America, live in excess.  It is time to simplify and purge!  For many reasons, but for 1 because the Bible says to sell what you have and give to the poor.  So, like mentioned in my last post, we are going to have a garage sale to raise money for our trip to Mexico.  (Our way of giving to the poor.)

I am also taking donations from others of items to sell.  (Just to clarify, I am not selling items for people and giving them the money.  I taking your items you want to get rid of and selling them with my stuff to raise money for our trip.) 

While the last two weekends have not been fun, and exhausting to be frank, it is has been kind of fun.  Lying...not fun at all!  Fun isn't the right word.  I have enjoyed getting rid of stuff.  It is kind of freeing.  I encourage you to try it!  (And then you can bring your stuff here!  Hahaha!)

All that to say lots of prep already for Mexico.  I have begun getting my shots, we go Wednesday to get our passports (please pray we get them by June.), and we started a family devotion last night called, "Tales of the Not Forgotten" by Beth Guckenberger.  She is the co-founder of Back2Back the organization we are going with.  (BTW, great book and her story is amazing!)

Lots of work going on in our house and our hearts as of late!

What is Next for Our Family (Mexico)

Yeah, so I just realized I never updated my blog that Rob made it home. Guess what!?  He made it home!! I must have been too busy enjoying him to let you all know.  Ooops...sorry.  It has been so fun to hear all his stories, see the pictures and watch the videos.  I tell ya...I tear up every time I see those sweet faces.  Especially one little guy...Georgie.  Oh my, this kid.

 I am hoping Rob is going to do a little "guest post" for you all.  I figure it would be better for him to tell you about it than me.

As you can imagine, there has been a lot of conversations happening at our home. 

Where do we go from here?
What is next for us?
What does God want us to do?
How do we continue with orphan care and missions?
Do we get rid of our tv?
What do we do with our excess?  (time, money, etc)

You may be wondering...

Are they moving to Africa?
Answer: no (not now!  ;)
Are they adopting a sweet African child?
Answer: no (not yet ;)
Is Rob going back to Africa?
Answer: yes...someday
Is Amy going to Africa?
Answer: yes...someday
Will they ever go as a family?
Answer: yes...someday

I am sure this is helping you, right?  Truth be told, we don't know what God has in the future for us.  We will just trust His plan.  We do know that we need to keep this momentum going.

 I have mentioned that we have been reading the book "Not a Fan" by Kyle Idleman.  We have felt like we can't read this book and continue our life the same way.  Then Rob went to Africa which just affirmed our thinking.  So, the first, concrete next step is a family mission trip this summer to Mexico!  We are so excited for this trip and what God will do in us and through us. 

There are  few ways you can help...
Pray.  This is the most important piece of our trip.
Support.  We will be having a garage sale May 2nd-4th.  All the money we make will go towards our trip.  The kids will have a lemonade/cookie stand on the 4th as well.  You can also donate items to the sale for me to sell.
This weekend our church is doing a fund raiser as well.  For a donation ($5 per person or $15 a family) you can get hamburgers, hot dogs and chips.  It will be Saturday night at 6:30 and then Sunday starting around 10:30)

Stay tuned...