"I think we make it sound too easy!"

Tim commented to me the evening before he was to board a plane in one world and land in another.  We tell people in America "We are leaving for Japan next week." And they nod and smile as if it was an everyday occurrence, like paying the bills or going to the grocery store.  Actually getting on the plane is relatively easy, it's getting ready to get on the plan that is down-right hard.

Even though transcontinental moves have become a rather regular occurrence in our family's world, there is still nothing regular about it.  The days and weeks before a move across the ocean are out of this world!  Packing, sorting, deciding, storing! Each little item in our home comes under scrutiny...is it worthy of the long haul to our other home? If not, what on earth should we do with it?

Then all the "to do"s that would normally be done sometime in the next few months get crammed into sometime in the last few days.  A bill has to be paid, a pair of socks bought, an item returned to a friend, ordered or mailed. All now.  All before you leave.

And the emotions are running wild.  Often a little too close to the surface. We are easily offended and  irritated.  A strange mixture of dread and anticipation overwhelms us. Of sadness and hope. Of joy at experienced blessings yet wishings and longings for these blessings continued. Knowing that soon life will (and should) change, but desiring it to stay the same.

I agree with my husband.  Picking up and moving to another country probably sounds too easy.  Our positive-can do attitude might trick people into thinking so.  We want to be honest and real, sharing struggles and stresses when it's appropriate and when others seem interested.  Yet, those around us may not see our tears or feel our heartaches.  They will not know the many moments we feel overwhelmed. Or hear our many desperate prayers of "Lord, help me through this!".

So, Easy? No.
Doable.  Yes.
But barely. And it's only by His grace and help that we can be moved to obedience and follow wherever He leads.