My Dad and brother, Patrick, are headed over on the first stage of my parents moving to Cambodia. This was my view of their flight when I a’woke this morning. They’re only there for a little bit to get things ready for my parents to make the move, but it’s surreal to see them so close.
Sunset from the farm
The move…
August 17th, 2012
What have we done? We have been working frantically to clear out our dream home. We’re not moving in the typical sense. Were moving and will end up with two suitcases of belongings to take with us. Its hard to find enough people to give everything too. Goodwill has made quite the haul in the last couple weeks. It’s really the end of an era with us. I am reassured that we are making the right decision when I see the new family that we’re handing the baton off to with our small farm. They are now the third owners in over a hundred years. More boys to explore, build, learn and create memories. It’s priceless and confirms that it’s time to move on. Our boys did explore, build, learn and create many memories but they have too moved on and it helps with this transition knowing that we are passing on the blessing to another Godly family that will bless many with the blessing now given them at 33703 Ireland ln. It was bittersweet today as I walked through the orchard, picked raspberries and the sweetest tomatoes ever and looked at the new generation that will experience such blessings in the years to come. It was truly the best handoff I could have ever asked for. Truly nothing but the hand of God orchestrating this.
Departing Cambodia in 1997
So, how did this happen? Moving to Cambodia at our age? We admit – the decision seems a bit crazy, but, on the other hand, perfectly reasonable. In the next couple of entries, I’ll try to tell the story of how we got here.
I would say it began in 1997 when we arrived back from Cambodia the first time. After being in the US for 6 months we began to plan on how we could go back. We saw the opportunity to take over a fledgling business (one customer and a truck) and we believed God could use that business as it grew and prospered to support us when we returned – we just knew God could do that in 2-3 years. After all, we wanted to do good things – He’s just got to bless that, right. Fast forward 14 years and we are finally realizing that dream. Why did it take so long? Don’t know for sure, but I think a lot of it has to do with God caring more for us as his children than as “tools” he can use on the earth. I also think our view of time is very different from his. I once heard a preacher quote Longfellow,
“The mills of God grind slowly but they grind exceedingly fine.”
That line has stayed with me and reminded me that God is not one to be hurried in his purposes or interactions with us.
Hoping you’ll enjoy the journey with us. Check in in a few days for the next installment.