Let Go, My Soul

Hi friends!

It’s been a little while since I last updated the ol’ blog, so I thought I’d give you all a little glimpse into what life is like these days.

I’m at about T minus 6 months from the big Kenya move!  No official date yet but I’m still shooting for January.  In the meantime, I’m making a much shorter move over the Hudson to Edgewater, NJ.  In a crazy and awesome turn of events, some really great friends have offered me a room at their place until my Kenya move.  So the past few weeks have been all about packing and sorting and trying to make sense of my life, haha.  It’s really nice to be doing this now and not 6 months from now, but boy, is it harder than I thought it would be.  Reducing your entire life’s possessions to what will fit in a couple of trunks is no easy task.

Some interesting thoughts/revelations I’ve had during the process:

• The things I thought would be the hardest to let go of actually aren’t that hard to let go of – I wouldn’t consider myself to be super materialistic and I certainly don’t have a lot of expensive things.  But I thought it might be difficult to give up some of my more “luxurious” items, e.g. designer clothes/handbags, electronics, kitchen gadgets, etc.  Turns out, it really isn’t.  In fact, when putting everything in the context of the life I’ll be living overseas, most of the stuff I own is pretty laughably unnecessary.
• The things I thought would be easy to let go of (or hadn’t thought about at all) actually are pretty hard to let go of – I’m sorting my things into so many piles and boxes, with the “take to Kenya” box being the smallest.  However, I’m finding myself adding items to it that I never thought I would.  As I’ve been going through all my possessions and thinking about being so far away from the people I love back in the states, it’s become more and more important to include some nostalgic choices, like:
  • Texas-themed wall art my sister bought for me years ago
  • Pictures my niece and nephew have drawn for me
  • Silly refrigerator magnets that make me laugh or remind me of certain friends
  • A quilt my mom made for me out of my old t-shirts
  • My favorite books
  • My pillow
  • Physical photos of everyone I love
• There are a lot of practical things I hadn’t considered – Some of you know this, but I won’t really be able to get things shipped to me while I’m there (sorry if you were planning to send me a sweet care package!), so I’ve been thinking a lot about what that means practically.  The good news is I can get almost anything I need in Nairobi.  In fact, some of their stores/shopping malls are significantly nicer than the ones here.  But there are a few things I am planning to take a year’s supply of –
  • Sunscreen – yeah, yeah, laugh it up.  But when you’re basically going to be sitting on the equator for a year + and your skin looks like mine, you can’t take any chances.  How much even IS a year’s supply for someone like me? Thoughts/suggestions appreciated, haha.
  • Any and all things related to my Apple products – stocking up on screen protectors, power cords, headphones, etc.
  • Over-the-counter meds and medical supplies – again, it’s not like I’ll have no access to these things, but I definitely don’t want to schlep into town every time I need an ibuprofen or some Neosporin.
  • Power converters/adapters and dual voltage appliances –  So Kenya not only has a different plug type (type G), but they have a whole different voltage (240v) and frequency (50 Hz).  Don’t feel bad if this makes no sense to you, I’ve only just had to become an expert.  Basically what it means is that for many electrical items, I need not only an adapter (that changes the plug input) but an actual voltage converter.  I have a gigantic fear (and a pretty good feeling) that I am still going to burn up some appliances and/or power adapters.  Fingers crossed.
• I’m really going to miss NYC.  I came here 7.5 years ago with no idea what I was getting myself into.  I often say, “Living in NYC doesn’t suit everybody,” and that is definitely true.  But it has suited me.  Not that every day has been perfect, but I’ve absolutely loved my time here.  I’ve made lifelong friends, been a part of an incredible professional and personal community, planted a church and served in a multitude of different capacities in said church, experienced some of the highest highs, and grieved over some of the lowest lows.  I don’t think I would have had the courage to make this move to Kenya if New York hadn’t taught me how strong I was.  I’m determined to make my last 6 months here (for a while) memorable. In fact, I’ve even started an NYC Bucket List with all of the things I want to see and do in the next 6 months.  Maybe I’ll share it soon and get your suggestions.
• But I am SO READY for Kenya.  I ache for it.  Every day that passes is one day closer to being there, and when I think about being there, my heart feels so full.

A question I’ve gotten a lot is, “What do you still need?”  Here are a few things:

• One-time and monthly donors – the truth is I am still only about 40% to my goal  for my living expenses.  That’s not as alarming as it seems, as it doesn’t include some donations that I know are coming in closer to my departure time, but it does mean I still have a pretty long way to go.  Since I’m not able to take any paid work while I’m there, I will literally have a $0 income, which is pretty terrifying.  I am relying fully on my own savings and the financial support of friends and family for my living costs.  If you want to read a more specific breakdown of the costs, click here.  As for how to give, there are a number of ways (the link goes into more detail), but the two easiest ways are by clicking here (for tax-deductible giving, just select my name in the drop-down) or here (will not be tax-deductible).
• If you prefer to give an actual item vs a monetary donation, I’ve set up an Amazon wishlist.  This is a list I started making for myself of things I would like to have in Kenya as well as some fun items for the boys (movies, games, etc).  It was never intended to be for others to purchase from (so don’t judge me, haha), but since many have asked, I updated it and made it public.
• I’m looking to purchase a few gently used items before I move.  If you or someone you know has one of the following in good condition that you’re willing to part with, let me know:
  • Macbook
  • iPad
  • acoustic guitar/case

Thanks as always for all of the love and support. If you need me, I’ll be somewhere underneath a pile of boxes and packing tape.