Hurdles

PRAISE GOD!  

There are definitely more hurdles ahead of us to conquer, but today brought AWESOME news from Dandelion #3's doctor.  She does NOT need his specialty care anymore, meaning her clearance from the med board here should be easy-peasy and done.  WAHOO!!!!!  Can you hear me screaming all the way from ND?!  Thank you, LORD!  

Now, keep praying that all my "lost" labs and radiology reports would be found and my specialty providers will all get their letters written so that I will be cleared by the board as well.  Last week, it felt like a horrible blow that we had our board delayed, but Alan pointed out yesterday that it was clearly God's hand of protection so we could get all the facts ironed out and not have worse delays.  Praise Him!

T-minus 26 days and counting till our first shipment leaves!

Medical Clearance

Medical Clearance: Two words that are as pleasant as last month's meatloaf.

The day we were informed of our move, we were told two things: Expedite your passports and get moving on your med clearances.  

Passports: Over $1000, fast and easy.

Medical Clearance: Free, slow and painful.

(I'm thinking this is a lesson in getting what you pay for.  Remember this if you ever feel inclined to vote in favor of 0bamacare, my friends.)

Here's the catch:

Our timing is such that they both have to happen simultaneously.  We don't have the time to wait on getting passports, our passports cost over a $1000 out of pocket and we'll never be reimbursed, move or no move.  Our med clearance is free, might cause an ulcer and could result in us not needing those expensive passports.   No med clearance, no move.  End of story.  Medical Clearance is the end-all-be-all to getting overseas orders.

Here's what we need:

PRAYER

We were supposed to meet the medical clearance board this week, but they had a scheduling snafu and have pushed us back a week.  Dandelion #3 and I have been red-flagged due to health issues and therefore, we've already been told that we will not get clearance from them.  This doesn't mean the move is off.  It means they send our records to our receiving medical facility overseas and they either accept or deny us.  Knowing we're flagged, one would assume our records were winging their way across the Atlantic today.  Nope. The "process" stipulates that we first have to meet the board here, in person, as a formality, before they will send the records overseas to be evaluated there.  Read: Infuriating Time Delay.  

I could continue to rant and explain all the further issues and expenses this will (literally) cost us, but that wouldn't be helpful or edifying.  We have to proceed like this move is on until we hear otherwise.  If God doesn't want us in Belgium, ok, but we'd like to know sooner than later.  That's why your prayers would be appreciated; prayers that we'd be patient, would not worry, would be wise as we proceed and that this would all get sorted out quickly!  

Bonsoir!

This is our new nightly routine:

Bonne nuit!

Stuff, stuff and MORE stuff!

If I may be so vague and general, I would describe things this way: 

American = Big houses, Lots of stuff.

Non-American = Smaller houses, No closets, Not a lot of stuff.

When my hindsight is 20/20 and this move is done, I would love to record our journey and what we needed to do to make this move happen.  For now, the list is short:  Expedite passports.  Get medical clearance.  Get rid of stuff, lots of stuff.  

One of those is complete, one of those is a complete pain that I cannot control and the last one is just ridiculously overwhelming and life changing.

While my kids played on their beloved play-set yesterday (Hooray for a warmish day in ND!) I sold it, right out from underneath them.  Being the flexible dandelions they are, they shed no tears, asked why in disappointed tones, then asked if we'd be buying a new one abroad.  To which I replied, "Let's ask God to give us trees in our new yard, so you can swing in the trees and climb those instead."  They immediately stopped and prayed.  What awesome faith to trust God to provide good things.  Specifically, they asked for apple trees; not so sure God grows apple trees where we're going, but we'll find out.  He might not give us trees at all, but this purge of STUFF is definitely changing our hearts and growing our faith as we let go of our tangible goods and trust God for the things He's planned for us.  

If you want to read up on how to truly purge your house of stuff, my friend Michele has several awesome posts about it.  I am definitely taking tips from her as I go room-to-room and closet-to-closet.  You'll find her latest, clutter-free post at: familyfaithandfridays.blogspot.com/2014/04/clearing-out-clutter-our-home.html

The Ride Operator

If you happened to read my previous post, you will understand the title of this one.  I likened our current circumstances to being on a roller coaster ride.  It certainly feels like one.  One that has too many loops and can't end soon enough.  Life often feels like this.  FEELS.  The verse that comes to mind immediately is Jeremiah 17:9, "The heart is deceitful above all things..."  

Our feelings are real.  But that doesn't mean they are our reality.

The AF has had us on this crazy roller coaster of moving-here-no-moving-there for almost a year.  Finally, paperwork came that the move we've completely prepared for is not happening.  Instead of moving stateside, building our dream house and living right next door to best friends, we are moving to another continent.  Big adjustment.

The ride just got bumpier.  Then, we got more paperwork, finding out that we are not moving to the base we thought; the one with American amenities and a huge community for our family.  Nope.  We're kinda headed to an isolated place.  Scary.  The end of this roller coaster is in sight and I honestly have mixed feelings about getting off at this stop.

Much could still change.  It always seems to.  In the meantime, I am convicted that my FEELINGS are inhibiting the joy of this ride.  I have to trust the operator.  He's not military, he's not my hubby, He's my GOD.  Unchanging.  Faithful.  Loving.  It is sinful of me to not trust in Him fully.  Ouch.

Psalm 139:7 - Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence?  
(No where.)

Psalm 16:11 - ....in your presence is full joy...

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord will all your heart, lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.
(That's not a suggestion.)

Philippians 4:6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
(Also not a suggestion.  A command with a delightful promise.)

He doesn't promise this ride will be happy go-lucky all the time, but He assures us He is with us all the way and in HIM there is Joy. In HIM there is peace.
Thank you, Lord!