Preparations as the clock ticks away...

So many things have happened in the last 2 months. I'm still not sure that I have wrapped my head around everything that has happened. I left my job on May 29th, and started cleaning out our house for our first tenant. We sold what we could, donated the rest, and kept a few boxes of irreplaceable items: photos, Jadon's art work, and Christmas ornaments from when I was a kiddo. I had a great time going threw my most prized possessions, which really have zero monetary value. The process felt very slow and labored, but it was cleansing. The emotions involved in moving again in less than a year was hard, but we all pulled together and made it fun.

Right before we finished cleaning out our house, we sold our 2nd car and put the money away for our trip. I totaled our newer car over Mother's Day weekend in May, but it ended up being a blessing in disguise - one less item to sell or worry about. We packed up the 6 suit cases we are allowed for our flight and moved back to Durango, where it all began, and we are currently staying with my parents until we head out on August 25th to drive to Denver and fly out on August 26th. 

Between cleaning out the house, selling the car and packing our bags, I managed to squeeze in a much needed trip with my 2 best friends. We headed up to Oregon and spent 6 glorious days hiking, laughing and enjoying the breweries in Portland & Eugene. My soul needed it more than I knew. I have always had the most amazing friends, and I know that not everyone has been so blessed. I know how important my friends are to me, and while it was difficult to say goodbye, we are already planning excursions in Mozambique and other parts of Africa. Goodbyes don't have to last forever. 

With 5 short weeks left in the count down to August 26th, there is still a "To Do" list a mile long! From Phil finishing up summer classes and his final weeks of work, to a fundraiser at the River Church in August, to the Visa applications that have to be sent off tomorrow, and the final travel preparations for flights & hotel stays, each day seems to be filled with a long list to accomplish. In the hours in between tasks, I try to find the joy in the preparation - seeing friends, getting to collaborate with the wonderful people on our board of directors, and the opportunity to spend the summer enjoying the beauty of Colorado. I am so blessed to have a little bit of down time, and it has been so nice staying with my parents - they help out with Jadon, and my mom cooks the most amazing meals & she made a fabulous coconut cake for Phil's birthday! We really are spoiled.

In the next few weeks, we know that goodbyes will become more and more familiar and it is difficult to think that we don't know the next time we'll get to hug the people we love, who have supported us through many different phases of life. But all of it is so, so worth it. To live out a dream, it IS worth all of it. To never wonder, "why didn't we just try?!" Here's to no regrets, no looking back, and moving forward on an adventure we will never truly be prepared for, but our feet are stepping out in faith, knowing it is almost time to GO - 36 more days!