Farewell

This is good-bye "until we meet again" at least for now. We are leaving in the morning for Africa!!! Finally, after years of preparation and God's stirring on our hearts, we have come to the departure moment. It is very exciting and very unbelievable. I almost feel like it is all a dream and I will wake up in my old home, in Tennessee, in my old bed.

Adah helping in the packing process

We have learned so much during orientation and feel closer to God and closer to our personal call to Africa. We are excited to meet to the locals and begin settling down in our temporary home while we find a more permanent place to stay. I want to thank everyone who helped to get us here: those who prayed, those who partnered financially, those who supported and encouraged us, those donated time to help us, those who donated other gifts that have meant so much to us. You are all a part of our team - TEAM SPANN! So, let's go team!

This has to make it through the airport tomorrow.

Having said all of that, I must say we will be offline for a while until we get settled. I hope to at least post some random words and pictures sometime between now and then to let you know we arrived safely. Otherwise, feel free to look us up on Facebook. Please pray for our travels, for Adah, and for our luggage to make it. Thanks again!!!

A Box of Quinoa

We are down to the last days in the United States (2 days)... Oh...My...Goodness! There has been so much preparation to get us to this point. One of the recommendations for reading was a book called "Expert Expat." In the book it talks about what happens when your cultural shock hits. You pretty much have a breakdown over something and then you realize your life is totally and completely different. It happens to everyone and for each person, something different triggers it, and each person reacts differently. The book goes on to talk about different things to do to help ease this transition. Things like bringing along some favorite items, a Christmas tree, family photo albums, and other things that will make your new place feel more like home to you.

For us, the concept of "home" has been a bit...nebulous...as of late. For the past 2 years we have not stayed in any one place for any substantial period of time. Sure, in each place we lived we had certain photos hanging on the wall, certain knickknacks that we enjoyed looking at, and family books sitting on the shelf. But if one of those items were to disappear (or get packed up for Africa 6 months ahead of time), we were not going to feel like we were not at home in the place we were staying.

I am now counting down the days (Did I mention 2 days? 2...Days...Seriously...2...) before we leave and all I can think of is if I am going to forget something. There is going to be some item that I am going to want to have 3 months down the road and I am not going to have it. Not only will I lack this said item, I am going to realize I cannot go out and buy this item at Wal-Mart. Not only will I be at a loss as to a way to obtain this item, I am going to feel like I don't belong because I am missing it. No big deal (in words) because it happens to everyone. I am simply in a mindset right now attempting to prepare myself by searching my head for any possible item I am going to want in the future. This is much harder than it sounds! Kevin and I have lived a fairly simplistic and quite mobile lifestyle for so long, I don't even know what I am missing.

This is where things have become silly for me. I have been scouring the internet, searching for this missing "item." Pinterest, Zulily, Amazon, ebay, Craigslist. Is the item a pastry cutter? Well, no, I usually use a fork quite well. Is this item a personalized set of coasters? Well, no, we never use coasters and let's be honest, we won't use ice either! Is this item a Color Wonders set for Adah? Well, I highly doubt she will even use that for a few years. I have even attempted to talk Kevin into paying for an extra piece of luggage and paying for the international extra luggage fees, just so we will have room to take this magical item that I. MUST. HAVE. TO. SURVIVE.

What is this magical item you ask? I have come to believe it is a box of quinoa.
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At least for now. Maybe tomorrow it will be another package of pepperoni. But anyway. My silly head is telling me that I must pack a box of quinoa, because if I get to Africa and I cannot eat quinoa, I am going to feel homesick (even though we don't eat it that often). I hope you all are now laughing at the absurdity of the situation, because I am laughing at myself!

Tune in over the next week or so to find out if I did buy the box of quinoi...or suitcase...or pepperoni...I haven't decided yet.

Travel Update

To bring you up to speed, we traveled to Nampa, Idaho for our final training on Saturday, August 10th. We awoke bright and early at 5 AM, just so we could hit the snooze button and wake up again at 5:15 (we had to start the day off right!) We loaded up Kevin's dad's truck with our 4 pieces of checked baggage, 2 carry-on's, a back-pack, and a diaper bag...plus a baby! After an uneventful drive, we brought all our luggage in to check in for the flight, only to find a 1.5 hour delay. That delay would bring us into our next airport 30 minutes late for our next flight. So our ticket agent, who was from Mali, Africa, worked hard to get us into Boise as soon as possible. For those who don't know, they speak French in Mali. So once we got done with our introductions, asking about family, etc (as is the typical African custom), we completed the rest of our business in French. That was a nice surprise and gave us some encouragement.

Our original flight plan was Knoxville to Detroit to Minneapolis/St. Paul, to arrive in Boise at 1:50 Mountain time. We were still travelling to Detroit but with a longer lay over, and the next connection was in Salt Lake City with another longer layover. This would put us into Boise at 6:30 (Mountain time). Dealing with the delay for two adults is no problem, with a kiddo however, that is another story. We were hoping to arrive in time for an afternoon nap, instead, we were to arrive for a late bedtime. But we arrived with all of our bags in one place and we were together and safe, so we were grateful.

Adah did AMAZING during the first flight, even getting in an early morning nap. She did FANTASTIC during the first layover, playing with her toys and charming bystanders. We ate an early lunch/late brunch thanks to Delta and she stuffed her face! She did SUPERB during the second flight, inching her way into first class by being her adorable little self!

She was OUTSTANDING during our second layover. We enjoyed a nice little dinner together and played with other waiting children. Unfortunately, our tired little monkey was just about over it during the last flight, that was only 47 minutes long. Luckily, we were in the back of the plane as she fussed. We were simply glad she didn't have a major meltdown.

After arriving in Boise, we met our ride and drove the 30 minutes to Nampa. Adah resumed with her cuteness and entertained everyone in the car now that she had room to stretch her legs. We unloaded and unpacked while Adah attempted to unwind.

We were all asleep by 10 PM (12 EST) and were ready to go the next day again.

12 Boxes of Stuff

I apologize for the delay is blog posts. Right now, we are so consumed with activities in an attempt to finish our "to do" list before we leave for training in Idaho. As part of our blog, we have decided to share the truths involved with our journey into the world of missions. In that journey, there are good days and there are bad days, there are memorable moments and there are trying times. I don't want to hold back on anything, even if the information shared isn't the most uplifting one.

The other night I could not sleep. Adah slept beautifully, not waking at all from 10 PM until 9 AM, so the only reason I was up was because my mind was racing. It seems like every part of our journey thus far has working towards a goal. Our first goal was acceptance into MAF. After we crossed that hurdle, we began our ministry partnership. Then once fully funded, we leaped towards our next goal, which was the move to Canada and language school. Now, that season is behind us and our next goal is to purge our things in storage and pack up our lives for Africa.

We have limited space and our lives must now fit into 12 large tubs. I never realized how hard this step could be. To take everything we own: photos and frames, pots and pans, linens and pillows, books and DVD's and condense them all into a "few" boxes. Once minute I feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of useless items we have carried around for so long claiming it to have sentimental value and the next minute I feel we don't have enough stuff.

I look at my jewelry box. A beautiful gift given by my mother to me to hold all those precious trinkets that I looked forward to wearing. But I can't take it to Africa. Not only would the jewelry separate me from the local Africans because of their poverty, the I cannot waste that bit of space that could be used for something more useful. I think about my favorite fall brown boots that have a 3" heel. They go perfect with skirts and they are so comfortable. They were a gift from my husband and I love wearing them. But I can't take them to Africa. Not only is it too hot to wear calf length boots, but they are not practical for the landscape and they definitely would separate me from the locals.

The other day, I was looking at a picture my friend posted on Facebook of a cute little girl's summer dress. I must confess, I loved the idea of Adah wearing that cute dress! I wanted more than anything to buy a new outfit for my sweet baby to prance around in. But deep down, I realized I could not. With limited space for storage, another dress would take up room that could go to something more needed. But a battle soon ensued in my mind:

"But it is just a scrap of material," says the little red devil on one shoulder.
"But she already has enough clothing," exclaims the little white angel on the other shoulder.
"But the dress is adorable and will she will love it," declares the devil.
"But you should not waste money," cries the angel.
"But you get a discount if you buy two," the devil pronounces triumphantly.
"But a dressmaker can make one locally," the angel utters loudly.

Eventually my conscience grows a backbone and I did not yield into temptation, but for a few moments, I wanted to feel "normal." I wanted to be like every other person in our consumer driven society and just go shopping. I see a new kitchen gadget on TV and think "WOW! I need that!" But then I realize, no I don't. I need room for bed sheets in our tubs. I see an advertisement for a sale on scrap booking supplies, and I think to myself how much use I could get out of those things. But I don't need them. I need the space for a four year supply of medication. I flipped through a magazine and looked at all the lovely ladies clothing and think I need new clothing. But I don't. The clothes were not practical or appropriate for what I will soon be doing. Besides, I really do need some mosquito nets.

I long to fill the melancholy in my heart with nothingness...with stuff.  I realize I have allowed false idols to consume my mind and my heart instead of God.  In my desire to have everything I believe I need for Africa, I have allowed my desires to devour my every thought. This way of thinking has even crept into my prayers. On numerous occasions, I have caught myself saying "thank you God for all the things you have given to us". Sure, God can bless us with "things", but it is way too easy for us to focus so much on the "things, the "stuff" and forget that the "things" are really to help us be better servants to His people.

Have you ever allowed something to become a false idol that has separated you from God?

I Apologize in Advance...

I had the best of intentions! I have been working on a blog about Spiritual Warfare, one on Cultural Intolerance, and even a controversial one about the LRA (might not post due to graphic nature). Kevin has a few more posts in the work about What Is a Missionary, parts 2 and maybe 3. But something has halted all of this....

Packing! Ugh! First all, we are packing to move out of our house. It is officially on the market!

We are going through all of our junk...ahem...stuff to find things to get rid of to avoid having to look at so many things! On a side note, we are having a yard sale on Saturday, August 18th at 8-2! Second, we are packing for our move to Canada! This is also an ongoing process with packing for Africa!

Have I mentioned how hard this is to do with an adorable 10.5 week old who just wants to play?

And we only have 10 DAYS LEFT!!! Wow!!! So, I apologize in advance for our soon-to-be hiatus of intellectual posts. Next week, my guest post for Intentional by Grace will be out and I hope to have a preview and link posted here. Once we hit the road (August 20th), we plan on making our 20 hour drive to Canada a mini-vacation. So, if we stay at a hotel with free internet, I hope to bombard you all with unique photos!