As you know we recently packed up our home in Japan. We stored most of our household things, furniture and personal items in a warehouse until we return to Japan next summer. We did however bring 10 suitcases with us back to America. Even though the weight limit has been decreased in the last few years, we still can travel with about 2x the amount of luggage as our British and European missionary friends. We know the weight limit and max size of our baggage allowance, filling each bag to it's fullest. We choose each item carefully, weighing (no pun intended!) whether it's worth taking it back to America; keeping in mind we can only take so much back with us to Japan.Since the post office no longer sends oversea mail "surface" rate, only "air mail", which can get pretty pricey, we realize we won't be able to send as many boxes when we return to Japan as we used to.
This time we were able to bring back 2 suitcase of memoralbily things (baby blankets, etc.) that we have been storing in Japan, moving from house to house and always looking for good places to stash it all away in our 750 sq. foot sized house. We also brought 1 suitcase full of gifts for friends, family and supporters. We often stay in people's homes or are invited for dinner while traveling, so it's nice to have a simple Japanes gifts to leave with them as a small thank you.
One of the hardest things for our kids to pack is there little stuffed animals. Even though we have boys, these are really treasured. (granted they play "war games" and baseball with this little animals) We try to down size the un-played-with furry creatures each move and it is often a source of tears and heartache. I remember one of our little guys, several years ago, crying when the moving van pulled away from our house, knowing he wouldn't meet his little playmates for a whole year.
This move, we warned the kids ahead of time to think through which stuffed animals were the most dear and chose several SMALL ones to pack in the suitcase to take home. (They still sadly remind me how I sold still-desired, fuzzy friends at a garage sale several moves ago.)
So, all this to say, packing the essentials is important. It's funny how a seemingly little thing, such like a well-worn bear, can bring comfort and a feeling of home to our kids who are weathering the unfamiliar feelings of moving accross the ocean.
