Packing up your life and moving across the oceans is not, and never will be, an easy task. This is the fifth time I am moving across oceans and I cannot say it is my last; who knows where our final destination will be? Only God knows and He is quite good at shaking up life, making it more interesting with each twist and turn.

We have twenty-nine days until we return the keys to our apartment and forty-nine days until takeoff. We have packed ten boxes to ship and probably will need two more. As opposed to our last trip to the Marianas, this time we are planning on staying much longer. With everything that has recently happened in our family life we decided that in this move we want to take personal items that will make our apartment in Saipan feel like home for us and for our children.

It’s not simple deciding what to take, sell, give away and save for the future. Yet I feel we have done a good job of purging of things we have held on to since we were married. At this stage in my life I want to only keep things that are dear to my heart.

I look forward to setting up our new home and getting to know the people of Saipan. My heart is already there. God has led us each step of the way, showing us that we can walk confidently with Him in this next chapter of our lives. I personally look forward to serving God and His people wherever I can. Something happens when tragedy strikes, you become more urgent about the real things in life: God and others. But I’ll save that for a future post.