Thursday, April 29, 2010

Day 1 of getting rid of our stuff

WOW you dont realize how much "stuff" you have until you have to get rid of it! Im finding myself physically and emotionally exhausted! It is hard work to watch your possessions (that you spent way to much money on) go for way less! Those books that were your "love" being picked through by someone with a machine in your home that beeps when he touches one that is "worth" something! I want to scream, no don't take that one.. but then I am reminded that I cannot take it with me, its not where my heart is!

This first day has given me more compassion for the Rich Man in Matthew 19:16-30! I often looked down upon him thinking he was an idiot for not giving up all he had to follow Jesus yet now as I go through my stuff with tears and wondering if we are really doing the right thing my heart swells for that man, he was asked to sell it all and give it away and yet he couldnt do it! He missed out on such a loving relationship with Father so I have compassion because I know how wonderful that relationship is and how HARD it really is (emotionally) to get rid of everything! I keep my eyes focused on where God is taking us and it makes me happy to know that He is Sovereign and will take care of providing what we really need!

I am reminded by some other traveling mama's that all this stuff if just stuff, and what really matters are my children and husband and the adventure that we are about to embark on!

This morning I wake up and realize that I have more work to do, more people to meet and more stuff to get rid of. Its a bit overwhelming but then I remember that already I have downsized...

Table and 4 chair set
1 Bed Set
1 End Table
2 Shelves
1 Hammock
2 Rocking Chairs
Tons of Books
2 Hermit Crabs

And I survived! Moving on to day 2!!



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16 comments:

  1. I know just what you're going through, but when you hit the road you truly won't miss it! When you're finished purging you will truly feel free! It was amazing to me that out of our entire house of stuff there was very little that really mattered. Most of those items were sentimental; pictures, scrapbooks, souvenoirs (shells, etc.) that we'd picked up on our travels. Those things easily fit in a couple boxes and are waiting for us when we eventually settle back down. I know it's hard now. There's another benefit, you won't be tempted to spend money on things you really don't need now because you truly will see it just as stuff. Blessings!:)

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  2. Oh, the books! Those would be the hardest for me to let go. There are libraries, so that doesn't make sense, I know.

    Enjoying your updates.

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  3. Books are tough to lose! My 4 have just left for an hour in the library with their Daddy, our toughest thing there, is that we can't take anything out. My 11 year old has spent 4 hours in the library to make sure he finished 2 books in the series he was missing! I just left him there and went grocery shopping, LOL, I don't think he moved from the spot he was in the whole time! Once you're on the road, you will quickly realize how little you truly need. We did not sell our house before we left last year and the thought of everything in it is overwhelming, I'm actually looking forward to going back and getting rid of a lot of it, LOL!
    What we have in the camper right now is plenty - we've been in snow, sun, hail, we've read, drawn, learned, eaten, slept, most importantly played, chatted and loved - it's wonderful, I can't say I've regretted a moment - enjoy :)
    Ali

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  4. we're in the same boat, er house, er RV. :) but it'll be worth it. i'm starting to forget what i had already. it's been a week! :)

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  5. I just cannot imagine doing what you're doing. I mean, it seems so exciting to me, but in our case, my husband would NEVER go for it. He'd be so good at it, but would never go for it! LOL. I've recently been cleaning out, though, and it is hard to go through with things and let things go that you had a part of you tied up in, and yet I guess in the end we shouldn't have ourselves tied up in things. I'm enjoying reading.

    Lynn

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  6. Thank you for sharing your reflections on the Rich Man in Matthew! I too looked down on him. Even though we are blessed enough not having to worry too much about money, I never think of ourselves as rich, so, I never relate myself to him. But now that you pointed out, how ironic for me, as a packrat, not to question my own behavior while reading his! Thank You!

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  7. Thank you for sharing your reflections on the Rich Man in Matthew! I too looked down on him. Even though we are blessed enough not having to worry too much about money, I never think of ourselves as rich, so, I never relate myself to him. But now that you pointed out, how ironic for me, as a packrat, not to question my own behavior while reading his! Thank You!

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