Packed Full
Much of life can be described as 'packed full' these days.
The most obvious - our suitcases!
Technically, they aren't packed full entirely - not at the time of writing this article or taking the photo. But with just 48 hours to go before we board a plane, we are in the throes of our final preparations. With everything going so quickly we haven't had a chance to update many of you on the details so here is a snapshot of the last two weeks.
· July 18th: We were formally hired by the school and received our letters of invitation
· Special Mention—July 19th: “I” turned 16 and got his G1 driver’s license!
· July 20th: After filling out a record 79 documents, we applied for 5 of our visa's (anticipated wait time, 7-10 business days)
Five visas? you ask - aren't there 6 of you? Yes - however, because of L's birthplace, he required an in-person visit to the Consular. They allowed us to process his visa directly through the consulate.
· July 22nd: We went to pick up L's visa. Instead of 1, we were handed all 6 - processed in 2 days! With our visa's in hand, we booked our flights for...
· August 1st: Flights booked - leaving just enough to time to travel to our old city for some hellos & goodbyes and to collect our household belongings before heading South to the school.
With a final fly-out date on the calendar, our minds are packed full of a thousand things that must be done. Between launching our home as a short-term rental space, preparing for new positions at the school, making travel preparations, finishing work on the property - on top of connecting with a large and loving network of family, friends and church - our to-do's are multiple-page, categorized lists involving coordination not just between mom and dad, but between our active and involved children as well.
Our calendar too is packed full - it seems that the very ink on its pages has made it feel heavier. For some in our family this is the desirable rhythm of life while others are looking forward to a quieter schedule.
Suitcases, mind, calendar - all packed full. That might seem pretty overwhelming, but it doesn't stop there.
In all this, we find our hearts also packed full.
Over the past month we have been lead from one event to another where we are constantly reminded of the Lord's generous provisions over every area of our life. He's given us churches to love and support us. He has blessed us with a large and fantastic family. He has kindled new friendships while renewing old ones. He's brought us into possession of a home we can all look forward to enjoying in the future. He's opened the doors to a ministry that meets the diverse and changing needs of our family while providing opportunity to walk in obedience to the call we feel him stirring up in our hearts. Blessing upon blessing upon blessing.
He's filled our suitcases with all we have need for - taking care of all our physical needs.
He's filled our schedules with rich relationship investments - taking care of our emotional needs.
And He's filled our hearts with reminders of the work of His Spirit, both in us and around us - taking care of our spirits.
Now, we ask you to join us in prayer as we take our packed full lives to the far corners of the world with the hope that the Giver of all good gifts would use us in filling many more with His blessings.
About the School
Hebron School is located in the beautiful Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu in South India. It’s a historical Christian boarding school that has been serving the needs of families for over a hundred years! J will be teaching Design & Technology to the A Level students (final 2 years of high school) and R will be working in administration in the office. We’ll both become dorm parents in the future and our kids will be attending regular classes while living with us on campus.
We are thrilled at how this place answers our desires for a good education for our boys, keeps us positioned in the land we love, introduces us to a multi-cultural environment working alongside national staff, and opens networking doors for future ministry in India. Our social & spiritual needs will be met in a team environment, and Joshua will be able to exercise his gifts for teaching & discipleship full-time.
We know the path ahead is not all sunshine and roses, but we are so thrilled and excited at God’s orchestrating this all out and meeting our need and desires in such a beautiful way.
What about the Tiny Home?
We’re so thankful for our home base here in Canada to come back to. Our boys have put down some deep roots on this soil, and we have been so blessed to have spent some time trying out our tiny space. While away, we are opening up our piece of tiny-home-paradise to short-term stays. It’s our hope that it will be a spot for weary souls to find rest and rejuvenation away from the busyness of a fast-paced world. Our website is currently under construction, but will hopefully be going live soon!
If you would like to stay, or know someone who would, please reach out to us. Booking a couple nights is a very practical way you can partner with us!
