Shopping, packing, shopping, packing.........

I can honestly say that over our last eight years of training, nothing fully prepared me for all of this shopping and packing! These last two months have seemed like the NEVER ENDING shopping trip. It seemed like every day we were buying something for the house or some food that we needed. Even though I have known for years now that I would one day be buying my groceries like this, I never realized just exactly what it would be like!

Buying 20 one kilo bags of oatmeal, 40 kilos of flour, 15 bags/boxes of pasta, 20 cans of tomato paste, 50 rolls of toilet paper, 25 kilos of meat and much, much, much more!

Then after buying all of that I had to package it. Put the meat in bags to freeze. Shred the cheese. Divide the veggies into bags.

After that we boxed everything up and weighed it!

I never realized how much work all of this was! In the last two days I have packed and weighed over 500 kilos (1,100 lbs) of stuff!

I tell this to you not to complain, but so you can see a little bit of what life is like for us. It is hard and overwhelming for me now but this is part of the life the Lord has called us to. Although I didn't feel totally prepared for this, I do believe that God has graciously given me everything I need to accomplish what He has called me to. When I feel like giving up and like I can't do it on my own, it's because I can't! He wants me to run to Him and let Him carry me through!

"Dreadlocks"

Logan has always been a fan of hairstyles that I feel like I would NEVER be able to pull off! When we moved to the region where we will do our permanent ministry almost 2 years ago he started asking me to dread my hair. 

To some of you this may seem like an outrageous request but for me it seemed reasonable. Hair is not my forte! I LOVE to have my hair done, however I do not, even a little bit, like to do my own hair!

After he asked a few times I agreed to getting it done but only a few weeks before we planned to move interior, that way if I hated it not many people would have to see me! 

About a month ago we were at a volley ball game at the international school here when Logan saw one of our co-workers daughters with dreads. He nearly jumped out of his seat. He wanted to me to go and ask her where she got it done that very second. She was actually playing in the game so that wasn't an option! After the game we talked and long story short she had some local friends that were willing to attempt the task! 

(fyi: I really do not like this picture of me!)

Last Saturday the time had come. It was only 6 days before our planned move interior so we made the call and began the "dreading" process! After about an hour of working on my hair Logan showed me a picture and I had a slight panic attack! I thought for sure I was going to hate it. Good thing we weren't going to be around many people for the next few months! After everything was said and done (about 4 hours) I checked out the finished product in the mirror. To my surprise I actually liked it. It felt good and didn't look too bad, AND I wouldn't have to do anything to it besides maybe put on a headband! 

So now I have a very happy husband, and a very happy me! Less upkeep each morning means for more time with my kiddos, my hubby, and the awesome people we are about to start our ministry with!

The only bummer is that because of the way they dreaded my hair it may not last as long as we originally anticipated. :-( It was definitely worth the experience though and I think it will be great for our first little bit in the tribe!