Paper, and tape and boxes....OH MY!

I am sitting amongst many boxes, listening to the sounds of boxes being taped, and garage tools being dropped.  This is day 2 of our "pack out", and it has been a little frustrating, to say the least.  The packers decided to not show up until 1:00 pm...yup, that's right...in the afternoon!  I wish I had known they weren't going to show up at 9 am, like they said they would - I would've been able to get some much-needed errands done.

Tomorrow they will load all of our furnitures and boxes into large crates, and that's how our household goods will be transported (via boat) over to Germany.  We should see our "stuff", by early to mid-August!   It's crazy to think about not having anything except the stuff in our suitcases for 8 weeks, but I'm actually a little excited.  It means there will be alot less laundry to wash, less toys to have the kids pick up (or for ME to pick up), less dishes to wash, and more time to enjoy as a family - traveling through Europe on the weekends. 

I am hoping to be able to explore parts of Germany that our close to our post during the week, when Jason can't be with us, and then do weekend trips as a family.  That's my hope, anyway.  Only time will tell how busy Jason will be in his new position.

One of the first things I'd like to see is Neuschwanstein Castle, which is about 200 miles from where we'll be living.  It's a spectacular castle, that was the inspiration for Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty castle.  The views (on the internet) look spectacular, and will allow us to visit Bavaria (in SW Germany).  Here's a picture of the castle...isn't it beautiful?

I have made a "bucket list" of countries I'd like us to visit before we leave Germany.  I have come up with 20 countries, and we'll have (at least) 24 months to get it done.  Some of the countries include the UK, Ireland, Austria, Finland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland and France.   I guess I should start working on "what" to see in these countries now.

I wil post pictures tonight of what our house looks like with "boxes" as furniture....we could be starting a trend!  :)

Reflection.....

Today, the packers have arrived to put our "life" into boxes, to ship to Germany.  As I look around and the boxes, I begin to think about all of the many places we lived.  As I think through the list, I cannot think of one place that was "bad".  Yes, there are places that we have decided we would never want to retire in, but at each Army assignment, we can look back and see God's hand.  At each place, God gave us wonderful friends and neighbors, that would become our "family".  He gave us neighbors that would "pray over" our house, even before we arrived.  Through those neighbors, we were brought to Christ, and our lives ever since have been changed.  From there, we started to have a heart for the orphans of the world, and we began serving on short term mission teams.  From there, we grew a heart to adopt, and were able to add 2 more beautiful girls to our family.

As we start our move to Germany, I am filled with alot of excitement (and some jitters - but just a little).  I am excited because I can't wait to see what God has planned for us.  We have prayed that we can use our time overseas, as a "mission field", that we become the ones that will pray over the homes of those that will be our neighbors, that we can be the "Hands and Feet" of Christ

As I think about all the places we've lived, it brings to mind the MANY wonderful friends that are in our lives.  I also think about how "strange" military living is - in that there are many of these "friends" we haven't seen in years, yet when we do get back together, or email, or facebook - it's as if we'd been apart for only days.  I love that I have friends all over the country, and in different parts of the world.  I love that I know I could email and say "hey, we're gonna be in the area - want to get together?" and I wouldn't feel awkward.  I love that our friends can call us, and say they want to come visit and they know they have a place to stay.

Yesterday was our "last Sunday" at our church for the last 9 months, and it was the start of the official "good-byes".  It was sad to start saying good-bye, but I had another strange emotion - I was a little "giddy", because I knew it meant I would start saying "hello" to my new friends in Germany.  It's difficult to keep the sadness of "good-byes" and joys of "hellos" balanced, without being guilty. 

As I write this, I am reminded of the song, Friends are Friends Forever, by Michael W Smith and Amy Grant.....
Friends are Friends Forever

So, as I step out into a "house of boxes", I am singing this song over and over in my head, asking God to continue placing such wondering God-loving friends into my life, and to protect the hearts of myself and the friends I say good-bye to!

A Balancing Act

This week I have felt like I have been walking a high-wire.....wobbling one way, catching my balance and walking straight for a bit, then wobbling the other way!

With only 7 days until the packers, Victoria came down with a fast and furious stomach virus, with a fever of 103.  She has been home for the last 3 days, but thankfully is better now and will return to school tomorrow.

Last night, Alex decided he "wanted" Victoria's fast and furious stomach virus, and has been sick all day, including the fever of 103.  His seems to be going away fast than Victoria's, and he's looking much better after only a day.

Just as I think "we are ok", I am starting to get sick. 

I have so much to accomplish in the next 4 days before the packers arrive, that I jsut do not have time to get sick.  Don't get me wrong, I know it's NEVER a "good time" to get sick, but this is DEFINITELY not the time.

In the midst of all the illnesses, I find myself  trying to balance my emotions.  I am so excited to get to Germany, travel, see old friends and meet new friends, but I also find myself feeling "bad" about going to Germany and being so far away from my family and friends here in the States.  I notice that the kids are feeling the same way.... excited about going, but scared to tell their "best buddies" they are excited, because they don't want to hrut their feelings or make them think they won't be missed.   

THIS is the part of being a miitary wife that is difficult - balancing the emotions and stressors of moves, with the excitement of God's plan.  I know there will be tears when we leave our friends, in just 12 days, and say good-bye to our family, but I also know that God is with me,and will carry me through the "storms of my life"!

I sit and think about all of this, the Casting Crown's song, "I'll Praise You in This Storm", comes to mind. 

The lyrics are:

Praise you in this storm

Casting Crowns

"I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down

and wiped our tears away,

stepped in and saved the day.

But once again, I say amen

and it's still raining

as the thunder rolls

I barely hear You whisper through the rain,

"I'm with you"

and as Your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise

the God who gives and takes away.

Chorus:

And I'll praise you in this storm

and I will lift my hands

for You are who You are

no matter where I am

and every tear I've cried

You hold in your hand

You never left my side

and though my heart is torn

I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind

You heard my cry to You

and raised me up again

my strength is almost gone how can I carry on

if I can't find You

and as the thunder rolls

I barely hear You whisper through the rain

"I'm with you"

and as Your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise

the God who gives and takes away

Chorus

I lift my eyes onto the hills

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

I lift my eyes onto the hills

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

Chorus "

 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUWbmtbzDno
 
Praying for peace in the storm

A day in the life.....

A day in the life of the Wieman house!  At times quiet (though not very often), most often busy and chaotic, but always blessed.  Our family is preparing for a move to Germany, courtesy of the Army, and the house has been busy with preparations.  Deciding what stuff we will send to Germany, what stuff we will bring with us in suitcases on the plane, and what stuff will go into storage for the next few years, has been a source of constant discussions. Finally, I think we have everything sorted.....so now we can move on to the finer details....how to get the kids to all their activities with only one car (since our van has been shipped to Germany already), changing our address and phone number with businesses, cancelling services, starting up new services, change of address cards, and planning a reception in Germany only 10 days after we arrive.

Aside from the preparations, we have "daily life" happening in our house.  Today, Samantha is at a birthday party sleepover, Alex need to go the video store after school, and Rebecca went to a friends to play.  Tomorrow, our day gets busy....Samantha has gymnastics, Victoria has a softball game, Alex has a birthday party, we will need to get the gift for Alex's birthday party, Samantha needs to get picked up from gymnastics, and we have a BBQ to go to....and all before 5 pm. 

Sometimes we sit and question whether we should have the kids in activities, but then quickly admit that OF COURSE WE SHOULD....this is part of their childhood.  These are the days they will remember - sure they're busy, but to them they're FUN, and all they will remember is Mom and Dad took me, and not that we had 10 other activites that day.

I absolutely love being an Army wife, and mother of a large family.  Some days I go to bed exhausted and frustrated, but every night I lay down and thank God for giving me such a wonderful husband, father to my children, these great (and noisy) kids, and for this joyful, blessed and chaotic life!!!