I am thinking of the song "Going to Carolina in my Mind." It's a bit like what I've been doing- and trying not to do- lately. Even though I am yearning to be back in VA right now I'm trying not to think about it. When I do, I find myself becoming emotional. I want to be home: to be in our home with our Christmas decorations and our food and our music and our beds and our clothes and to be able to really relax and feel comfortable, to complete our nativity story and scene, to make our food and wash and clean and tuck my kids into their beds, to greet the mailman and visit my neighbors and call friends nearby, to wrap some Christmas gifts and snuggle up in my quiet time chair. . .
We have had two trips within the last few months that started as short trips and evolved into longer stays (that I was unprepared for). I am so thankful that we are at a stage in our lives when we are able to be so flexible. Yet, I find myself longing for the comfort of our routine. It will be good to be home.
So. . . when will we be home?
Our plan at this late hour is to leave tomorrow (Monday). We can look at vehicles in the morning here in Orlando and then leave around noon. That should put us in GA at our van before the shop closes, so we can get out our remaining things, switch to a one-way rental van (if we do not leave FL with a van), and continue on to VA. Once we arrive in VA we will return the rental and probably borrow something from our neighbor as we need it. (We have awesome neighbors!) If a van isn't clearly provided for us here, tomorrow, we feel free to leave and to wait to see how the Lord will provide a van for us in VA. [Thanks for the offer of your civic, Josh, but we just wouldn't fit!]
It may sound strange to say that we are waiting on the Lord to provide us transportation. But it isn't strange to us. God has met all of our needs and promised to do so. If we really do NEED a van, then we are trusting God to take care of that. We lack the financial wherewithal to purchase something new (i.e. used), or to fix our old van. The Lord has miraculously and providentially taken care of us over and over again and we are trusting Him to work out a plan for our good- again. Four years ago we gave away our Nissan when it needed repairs we couldn't afford. We found out that we didn't really NEED to have that second car and it blessed us to let it go. Because of that experience, I hesitate to say that we NEED a new van; I'm just not sure that I know what is critical for my own well-being.
A friend here said something today that comforted me and I loved it: "God has all the vans on all the parking lots." And we only need one. Therefore, I will confidently look for our van - and hopefully end up in VA (in person, not just in thought!).
1 comment:
I know the whole crew wouldn't fit but in a pinch its better than nothing. It sounds like you are in good hands and patience will prevail. We'll miss you guys at xmas but you probably won't miss the arctic winter we're having right now.
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