Leaving In a Few Hours

In just hours we will be on our way to Basel. At a few minutes before midnight on the day we leave I am still juggling the contents of suitcases to make sure each is under the 50 pound limit. I fear I will be forced to edit some books! ...It is now nearly two hours later. I was able to take the most important books. That required taking out some clothes since leaving a child is not possible. Two things difficult to leave behind are books and shoes! There must be scriptural evidence to back that up somewhere. The four of us are checking eight bags and each carrying on a small roller and our back packs. Pray for the airport luggage handlers. The book bag is quite heavy!

Getting all of our things from the airport to the apartment in Basel will be hysterical for on lookers. The cabs there are the size of a VW Bug (well not that small). A wonderful friend will be meeting us at the airport to take some bags. Then one of us will ride with the cab driver with more bags and the remainder of family members and bags will be taking the bus! Just picture it!

Thanks for all of your prayers and encouragement. The next writing will be from Switzerland!!!

*The above photo has nothing to do with packing. But it explains why we are 5 plus 1 Ranch. It was taken Januray two years ago on Keaton's 12th birthday. Lots of growing has taken place the past two years.

It Will Be Fine...

Moving a family of eight to Switzerland for several months is no small task and cannot be considered without some amount of caution. My first indication this was a God ordained move was when I heard myself telling my husband, " I am not sure how it will work, but it will be fine. We can do it."

"It will be fine," is one of my favorite phrases. I really mean it when I say it. It, whatever "it" may be, is always fine. The Lord in His sovereignty sees to it. He IS Lord of all. There was a time in my life when "it" was my critically ill child. Although we walked through many troubling times over a seven year period, that little boy is now 21. It was fine. It just took awhile. The Lord never left our sides. He promises He won't and He keeps His Word, every Word. Through six children and 22 years of marriage and the 42 years of my life, "it" has always been fine.

When my heart has been broken and the worst case scenario has happened, it doesn't feel fine. The Lord then sends His Comforter, the Holy Spirit. "I will be with you," is whispered into my broken heart.

" Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; .... Fear not, for I am with you; " Isaiah 43:1-5 NKJV

Allow the Comforter to come and give the gift of peace through the momentary trials and the ones that require endurance. Determine within your self, make it unshakable in your spirit that He truly is the Lord of All and you are His! Practice during the everyday trials making Him Lord and releasing "it" to Him. Seeing your Lord move in the little "its" will build faith for the times that seem to cause your foundation to tremble.

Be encouraged this day and every day knowing "it" will be fine.

Definition: know /noʊ/ 1.to perceive or understand as fact or truth; to apprehend clearly and with certainty: I know the situation fully. 2 to have established or fixed in the mind or memory:

Planning, more planning and packing

My list is shrinking. Slowly, one by one, things to do and purchase are being marked off THE list. THE list is in THE notebook. I have a notebook and/or a list for almost everything. I make lists before I go to bed and lists when I rise. Such a sense of accomplishment to mark things off of a list. A little secret: if the list is in pencil and the task is not accomplished on the appointed day it can be erased and moved to the "do later" list. There is no time limit on the "do later" list. So no failure or guilt!

The three younger children and I leave for Switzerland in less than a week for our four month stay. Tonight we packed snack bags for the plane trip. First we went to Walmart and picked out all kinds of snacks and candies only allowed on special occasions. After we divided up all of the goodies, we neatly packed toilet seat covers and hand sanitizer into our backpacks. My experience with toilets in France tells me these items are necessary. It was fun. The kids sat down in row of chairs armed with backpacks, Ziploc bags, and wide eyes. They closely watch to make certain each bag is filled evenly. The anticipation builds as each sweet treat is distributed.

I am sure one day they will look back with fond memories of their wonderful mother making packing lists and photocopying one for each family member. Then with drill sergeant clipboard in hand, calling out each article of clothing and marking it off the list after the item's presence is verified. They will, right?

"I will bless the Lord at all times." Psalms 34:1