The Gift of Time

Last week we were given the gift of extra time at home. 

Despite having months to get our work visa ready, and despite the fact that it was supposed to be ready by March 1, it is STILL not ready for a March 14 leave date. But, no complaints from us: we're thrilled to have some bonus weeks at home! Our new leave date is March 30.

It's funny how perspective changes everything. When we found out that our move date was changed, I had "space" in my brain for the first time in what feels like months. The stress just melted away and I could breath again. 

This coming week was supposed to be our LAST week at home. We were stressed. It was packed full of last visits with friends, last appointments, last day of school, movers packing our stuff...it was going to be a rough and emotional week. Everything was kind of a sad, last time.

Now everything feels like BONUS time. We were give MORE time, more last visits, more days at school, more Sundays at church. What a gift.

Check out the contrast in our calendars for February and March. Yep, all blanks days after March 14.

One of the great things about the timing of learning our move date would be changed is that we had already been hustling to get everything done. Ben had taken the week off and busted his butt in finishing up home and outdoor projects. I had already packed up most of what we will be bringing. Most of our appointments are done. If we had learned earlier on of the change of date, we would have probably procrastinated these projects, leaving the stress until the last week. Now we're still going to have the movers come on Friday (we're ready to get rid of the piles of toys, books, and picture frames around the house) and believe life will be simpler that's over with. It feels like we'll be able to relax and savor our last weeks here in our much loved Scappoose home. 

We're learning to trust the Lord through all this process, as so many things are out of our control. On one hand, it's great that Daimler has people taking care of our paperwork, visas, housing, etc. On the other hand, it means that we know NOTHING of what is happening. So we just wait. We wait and trust the Lord and his perfect timing. 

I'm so thankful. Thankful that I'll get to see friends and family more. Thankful that Ben and I might get a date in because we don't have a packed schedule. Thankful that I'll get to see daffodils and cherry blossoms blooming. We'll take anytime at home we can get!