“It’s just how God does things.”

I wrote this to a dear friend last week.…

Well, it’s 12:35 a.m. and I just am sitting down checking my email. I had a little break earlier in the evening when I went with Britt to play volleyball at the Fawley’s. I just needed to stare aimlessly at something other than packing. It feels never ending. Every time I go to some other room other than the one I’m working in, I get distracted by the never ending mounds of stuff left to do. It is dwindling. In fact, I think I can start the labeling process tomorrow. 

We still don't have a final shipping solution. We have tried several angles, many estimates, and we're waiting on what I hope is the last one now. If it all falls in place as would be really nice, we should be able to have our container picked up here with a 3 days notice (our goal is next Thursday). Then 21 days for shipping and up to 7 days going through customs. So basically it will be a month before we get our stuff back. Britt wanted to start stacking our bins and boxes to ship in the basement to see how much space we are going to use up. But he also wants it to stay that way until it leaves. Yikes! Not ready for that yet. I have made labels for many of them. But I need to make copies, tape them to the tubs, and record them numerically in my notebook. This way when our stuff gets there, I won’t have to dig through everything…only unloading what we’ll need right away. I can just check for the number and look at my list. We got in contact with a company that works with customs on Guatemala's side. She gave us lots of advice on how to pack and what not to pack.

Last night on our date night, I was sharing with Britt my frustrations. I told him that everyone has been telling me that it will all get done. But I told him I don't see how it possibly could. And he was sharing how he’s feeling similar with wrapping things up at the store. He explained to me about closing out inventory and how much time it is taking. In fact, he’s at the store right now working on it while it’s quiet there. But he also made a comment that caught me off-guard and brought tears to my eyes. He reminded me that all along this journey we have totally relied on God for every step. So why now, do I not think that God is big enough to help me get it all done? It just caught me dead in my tracks, cause I was thinking from a human perspective. I had taken charge of this process, instead of letting God do it. Today, He has already proven Himself to me several times. I'm in awe of how He works. I really got an incredible amount done today, in-spite of doing laundry, dishes and knowing little boys were unpacking things I spent great amounts of time packing (was not very happy or kind in my reaction). And, when we were at the Fawley’s, Kara (our piano teacher and the 3rd sibling in that family) asked if it would help if she found people to bring us meals. I had to smile to myself, knowing this is God working and showing me how he can handle this for me and I don't need to worry and stress over it. I’ve also had people offer to come help, but they don’t know how to help. I can't remember all those who've offered. But I know they will show up…it’s just how God does things. 

Then tonight…

It's been a roller coaster day. Britt called me this morning as he was trying to finish out some stuff at the store. He said our freight forwarder is still waiting on a quote from the shipper. Of course, we can't get our container here until we get a quote. At this point, Monday (the day before we leave) is the very earliest we will be getting our container to load. And, it's very likely to be after that…which means we won't be loading it, but all of our friends and family will instead. I did NOT handle this bit of information well. But God sends people along to remind me of His promises and calm my anxious heart. And He did. When I was struggling with “why would God allow this ridiculous delay?”, Ami reminded me that it may be for no other reason than to increase my faith. Of course, I remarked that it was a lousy way…until Britt got a text and then later I got one…

Mark told Britt to read Gina’s blog she wrote today about Xiomara (read it here). Both Britt and I wept as we read it. This is the very root of why we are doing what we are about to do. Shipping containers packed by friends and family instead of us is such futile anxiety compared to a new child entering the Kingdom of Heaven.

And tonight, my text from another friend who is struggling so deeply and has been for so long that it makes delayed shipping containers seem even less important…again.

P.S. Soon my posts will be about Guatemala rather than getting there. And even though getting there is half of the story, I sure am looking forward to the next part of the journey and reporting about it.

P.S.S. This Sunday we are inviting anyone who can come to an open house at our place from 1-5 p.m. There will be homemade ice cream, snacks, and smiling faces. If you don’t like good-bye’s, and are afraid of shedding some tears, don't worry…we aim to keep it light and fun…and encourage each of you to come visit us in Guatemala soon so we don’t have to say “good-bye” for long.