Downsizing: Ericlee sells some childhood treasures

This month we took two giant steps toward our goal of moving to Haiti to do mission work with Christian Friendship Ministries. The first step was to start downsizing our "stuff." We cleared off a lot of our shelves, sorted through the valuable furniture and keepsakes and started piles to sell and donate. One of the big items that we are working on selling is Ericlee's G.I.Joe collection. For anyone who has known my husband for some time, you know that he has a very large G.I.Joe collection. It's not the kind of collection that has been behind glass or comes in original boxes. This is a well-loved and treasured collection that was started when Ericlee was a kid.

In August, Ericlee had the opportunity to sort through the collection and photograph it with his cousin David. They reminisced about the days gone by and their childhood fun. They also marveled at how God has moved in both of their lives to serve in missions. David and his family are missionaries in Spain.

I have to say I'm pretty grateful for good ole G.I.Joe right about now. That dude is paying some of our bills. I'm proud of my husband for giving up some of his treasured "things" for the sake of our family and for others.

The second big step was putting our house on the market this month to sell. We have been anticipating this step for a long time but it was a different thing to actually clean out the house, put up the for sale sign and trust God for just the right timing. We have so many wonderful memories in our home in Fig Garden. We also know it is time to move on and make new memories. More than anything we want to be obedient to God's Call right now. 

One of our favorite authors, Francis Chan, writes, "The concept of downsizing so that others might upgrade is biblical, beautiful...and nearly unheard of. We either close the gap or don't take the words fo the Bible literally." (CRAZY LOVE). This quote really hit us hard. Sure, it's not saying everyone should sell their home and move to Haiti. But we were challenged as a family to think about what we really need and what resources we have to offer God.