I keep hearing the line in my head from the movie Almost Famous "It's all happening!"
Yesterday we officially booked our flights to Ireland. We depart this country on April 14th.
I can't believe it...it's all happening! We have spent the last 2 years prepping, fundraising, and sharing about our mission to Ireland knowing it was coming to fruition sometime in the future....the distant future. The future just caught up to us and it is becoming very real.
After we hit send and secured our tickets on Aer Lingus, I had a strange reaction. I suddenly felt very overwhelmed. Of course in true Genesis "can't do anything normal" fashion, "overwhelmed" manifested itself not in panic, anxiety, hyperventilation or nervous laughter. No...I developed an acute and speedy case of narcolepsy. I immediately fell asleep. As I now begin the process of planning our departure, I am really afraid I will wake up in a rubbermaid container in our storage unit or in a half packed suitcase wedged between a stack of size 4 Spongebob underwear and my scrapbooks.
I just have so many decisions to make and I am not sure where to start!
How exactly does one pack to relocate to another country? Do you go light, or cram as much as you can into 3 suitcases that weigh 300lbs each? Do you try to stockpile as much American gear as you can or just let it go and resolve to find new ways to outfit your family and home? Do I pack my favorite stainless steel measuring cups, or get revved up to buy ones marked with grams and milliliters? Oh, yeah I think I will enjoy weighing myself in kgs instead of lbs...much smaller number. Leave a comment on any good packing advise, insight or tips. I can really use some perspective.
A far worse problem is how to say goodbye to my family and friends.
I can't think about it at all. I think I am going to fall asleep. I can't really talk about it now.
Please refer to Melyssa's blog entitled "Blarney" for a really good way to manage our goodbyes and understand how I handle them as well. I run. I hide. I deny. I pretend I will see you tomorrow. When you do see me before I go, don't be offended if I seem unemotional or aloof. Just email, blog or write your goodbye in a card and hand it to me on the way out the door so I can keep avoiding the obvious. I will hydrate myself til I am bloated, read it on the plane and cry my way to the Emerald Isle.
I think I need a nap...zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Packing advice? Bring a suitcase big enough to fit me.
ReplyDeleteGoodbye? I prefer "See you in 8 months for an Ireland Christmas!"
Narcolepsy? We'll just go see 400 movies, buy make up at Body Shoppe, hit Marshalls and Ross 25 times and, alas, cry to "The Help" just one last time all in the five days we get to see you before you leave. There will be no need to sleep.
I think I'm going to go puke now.
I think I am in denial altogether, I will just do my usual avoidance techniQue....if I don't look, it isn't happening right? And if all else fails, I will cook.
ReplyDeleteLove you....
Space bags!!! They sell them at Wal Greens. You can fit a ton in those things and they go so tiny! We love you guys and we are so excited for this new chapter in your lives.
ReplyDeletexoxoxoxo Brandy and Jaime
I just stumbled upon your website and linked to your blog. My daughter spent three months studying abroad in Ireland with Taylor University (Greystones) where she fell in love with the land and the people. Ireland has been on my heart lately. Today, I googled Missionary to Ireland and I found your site. I'm inspired by your story and in prayer for your family!! How neat that you are preparing to leave so soon. We've been praying for Ireland after she explained to us that so few there are Biblical Christians and that the children and youth are not hearing the gospel. May God richly bless your work there!! Pack light. They told her to pack what she thought she'd need and then take out half of it. You'll find what you need there and love the beauty of a simpler, slower life there. Irish Blessings to your family and friends who obvioously love you so! Oh what an amazing adventure you will have. God Bless, Shelly Spickler New Life Bible Church, Winnebago, IL
ReplyDeleteShelly,
DeleteThank you so much for your prayers, tips and encouragement. I am grateful you stumbled across my blog. If your family ever considers a short term mission trip to Ireland let me know!