The Irony of Stuff

I find myself thinking a lot these days about the dichotomy of this crazy world we live in. Stuff. Especially as we enter into the "Holiday Season," we are being bombarded by advertising telling us we need all this great stuff. We start to believe that we'll feel better, be happier, and live easier with all this stuff. Maybe that's true for the first few days of getting a new purchase. But then you have to worry about it breaking. Insuring it. Updating it. Getting all the do-dads and accessories to go with your stuff.

And then what happens if you want to move across the world and live in a ship's cabin with your entire family? You have to get rid of all the stuff!! What happens when you can barely even give it away at your garage sale!?

You would think the burden would be lifted as you finally get those things you want to make your life simplier. But we are finding the exact opposite to be true. The burden is lifted when we are freed up from owning all this stuff. When those dressers or tables or chairs or kitchen items or wall hangings or (I could go on for quite awhile here, but I'll spare you...).... walk away with someone else, that is where the freedom comes in.

Update:

Thank you to all of you who have helped us during the past two months- watching the girls, contributing financially, praying for us, and encouraging us along this journey. It is definitely a big decision with lots involved. Slowly, but surely we are making it! Here's our current status:

• Thus far we have 51% of our total funds pledged! We are happy to headed in the right direction there!


• Most of our furniture & possessions have been sold - still to sell are the piano, acoustic amplifier, armoire, fridge, washer, dryer, cars.


• Our home has a renter, and our doggy has a new owner!


• We have been offered some storage space with a few friends & family to house our keepsakes.


• We have been communicating with a family on the ship who went through this process a year ago, and have been helping us walk through all the practicals!

Please keep us in your prayers over the next four weeks as we wrap up all loose ends in California - it is a bittersweet time as we say "see you later" to some dear friends and train up replacements in areas of work and ministry.