Sunday, October 31, 2010

We want to go now!

Here we sit.  We are ready to go.  The tickets are bought.  The visas are in line.  All the major tasks in preparation for travel are done.  Why can't we leave yet we say.  And than a small but clear voice says "there are still some lives you need to touch here".

As already stated, all our physical tasks we need to do to start traveling are complete (we could be packed in 2 - 3 hours).  As part of our everyday lives, God has given Jan and I lives to touch and tasks to do for others.  Over the last several years that has been primarily in Columbia.  Some of these still need some final touches and He has given us a few more weeks to be able to do these things.  We do still have a few doctors appointments and closing details.


Please give us the focus to perform, and wisdom to act and speak wisely to accomplish these tasks to your fullest glory, both here and with our traveling friends.  We need this perspective as we get ready to visit friends with the intent to share, fellowship and work along aside them.

Our lives should be to bring glory to God in everything we do and help others to do the same.  Our request of Him: "Please prepare us for this and fill our hearts and minds with the joy of service.  Open our eyes to the opportunities and the best way to have others see you through us."

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Time is the Only Factor


With each passing day, the excitement, anticipation and concerns grow with regards to our trip.  We will definitely miss our family and friends in Columbia and miss Sandhills.    These people are an important part of our lives and the main reason for this blog.  

In many situations visas are purchased at the airport upon arrival in the country.  All other travel documents are in place including extra pages in the passport and visas with the exception of one country.  This visa can only be purchased three months ahead of the anticipated arrival so will need to purchased in route.

The middle of November will be here before we know it.  With stopovers in over 30 airports and at least 15 connections, we will be tracking the number of hours in airports, number of hours in the air, hours of delay, and days luggage is lost.  Our hope is the last 2 will remain at zero but know the likelihood in todays travel world is low.  

Our destinations will be identified as we travel.  Many have asked for the itinerary but we would prefer this information not be published until closer to the time we arrive in that country.  The general locations are shown on the original blog.

Some have commented they can tell the author of the blog.  Good for you.  My more matter of fact blogs compared to Jan's informal more relaxed style makes that easy.  A balance of both will be good and provide the educational and emotional connection that will make this blog the best this couple can put together.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

25 days to till takeoff!!!

Here I go again...wanting to write...to remind myself we are really going on a trip.  It seems like a very long time since we started this blog and let people know about our trip.  At times I get very excited and other times quite nervous and other times feel totally overwhelmed and wonder what in earth we are doing this for.  Then I remember why we wanted to take this trip in the first place.  We have so many friends and family members who serve in overseas countries and we wanted to visit them, encourage them, see what God is doing in their lives and where they live and work.  Roger and I have talked for years of doing this when he retired but when the time opened up now due to his job change we asked Him about it and having peace we moved ahead with the planning.
In II Timothy 1  Paul is writing to Timothy and he says in vs 3 " I thank Him whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as i remember you constantly in my requests to Him night and day.  As I remember your tears, I long to see you , that I may be filled with joy...  These verses are kind of where we are at...not that our friends are full of tears but serving overseas is not easy in many ways and we know that a visit from a friend is encouraging to them and of course to us.   So when I think of the people we will be seeing and spending time with I get very excited about the trip and then the concerns of things to do before going or how many different beds I will sleep in or controlling my blood sugar when I have no control over the food we are eating  or how many times will our luggage be lost etc just don't seem to matter  much in light of that.
Switching gears...and speaking of planning a trip...you would not believe how much planning there is in going on a trip like this.  Roger is amazing at researching flights and places to stay, things to do... what the weather is like where we are going, visa needed or not, exchange rate for money etc etc. Also he has been making arrangements for bills to be paid while gone, extension on taxes, had to send our passports to get more pages etc etc.  My jobs are so much easier, christmas shopping, dr apts, visiting with friends before I leave, packing some things away to make room for the family staying here, visiting with friends some more :)  what can i say...life just goes on.  I get confused what day it is because Roger is home every day.   And then one day it hits me.  Only 25 days till we leave!!  Yippe!!  Panic!!  Yipee!!  Panic!!  You get the picture. :)
I guess I have rambled on long enough.  I could go on but will spare you.
Oh- one more random thought that hit me the other day...I have never gone 5 months without seeing my son Ben.  It made me sad ...even brought a few tears to my eyes...I had to let go of him and give him over to the Father.  This might seem minor but to me it was significant concerning I have 2 other kids who live on the other side of the world and I can go over a year without seeing them...I have already let go of them many times over.  The Lord is good. And I can let go again.
If you read this... please prayfor us as we finish getting ready to go.  We are actually looking forward to that first long flight with nothing to do but read :)

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

6 week countdown!!

It is strange to me that all day I have been compelled to write on this site.  I have no idea why except maybe in writing it becomes more of a reality to me.  WE ARE GOING ON A TRIP AROUND THE WORLD!!
It seems like there is tons to do...a list a mile long...but when I look at it I can't figure out what to do today :)  It has been ages since i went wandering thru stores just to see what there is and so I did that today after I checked off the things I knew I HAD to do.  I made phone calls, post office trip, etc then headed to Khols to see what I could find. I was able to get a few things I needed for the trip that are on my list...its all about the lists these days.  It is driving me crazy to be honest.
Tomorrow we should get our passports back with visas stamped in them...did I mention? WE ARE GOING ON A TRIP AROUND THE WORLD?  It still feels very surreal.  I am so thankful to the Lord who is allowing us this time to visit friends and see different places.  The funny thing is...of 9 countries, 10 if we count the USA, we have already been to all but 3.  Wow..what a privilege to be able to do all that.  I am actually in amazement that we are doing this.
Okay , enough...you get the idea.  I am overwhelmed at times but on the other hand kind of in denial so  I go about my everyday activities most days and wonder what all those lists are about :)
So what is on our list?
Visas (almsot done)
Prepare house for family to move in while we are gone...but what does that look like?
Christmas shop
Do our yearly family photo calendar
Get dog's shots updated
Get transformers
Decide whether to carry books, or break down and get a kindle ...or ipad?
Get international drivers license
Make sure all the bills are covered
Order enough meds to last 5 monrhs
etc etc
there is about 20 things more but most of them are Roger's job...whewf!!
The good news is that as I wrote this and got the list out to look at I realized there were quite a few things I could check off.
If felt good to see it in writing again...In 6 weeks we will be on our way!!