Why?

One Week!  That's all that we have left.  It's not enough!

The week won't be enough time to say goodbye to our friends and adopted families here in St. Louis.  The extra handshakes, hugs, well-wishes, prayers, and tears from us and people here just feels rushed.

The week won't be enough time to finish all we need to do to get ready.  Donate all the leftover stuff from our moving sale, touch up the paint, clean the house, cancel the utilities, shove it all in the rig, and take off.

Somehow though, it'll all be done by next Wednesday...well except the tears.

Anyway, that day begins our new journey for real.

Why do we pack up our family in a metal box on wheels?  Why do we leave a steady job?  Why do we uproot?

See this picture...

That's why.  I see three things in this picture.  First the Sun, then my wife, then my boys...in that order.

First, my life is to honor and obey God (symbolized by the Sun).  God is calling my wife and I into a new ministry to parents.  I don't yet know how that's all going to play out...but I'm going.  We're by no means experts, perfect, or prepared...but I'm confident He'll direct us and equip us. 

Second, my life is to love, honor, and serve my wife.  I look towards our trip and time together as a perfect opportunity to do just that.  I'm not saying that every man should leave his job and be home with his wife all day, but for me, this is right.  I want to be near her, to serve her, to protect her, to support her, to encourage her, to lift her head, to work alongside her, and to love (verb) her.  Now my wife is by no means a weakling...she wrestles four boys every day (five including me)...and homeschools them on top of that...all while managing an endless list of things in and out of the house.  I've often referred to her as a pioneer woman (not that she'd ever dress a chicken...but she'd do it if the boys were hungry.)  She doesn't NEED me with her all day...but for me to be able to love, honor, and serve her fully, I NEED to be with her.  It won't always be easy...but then I'll apologize and we'll move on...HA!

Finally, my life is to lead my boys. Not only do I want to honor and obey God and love, honor and serve my wife, I want to model it for them.  I don't want what the world would consider safe and secure to become golden handcuffs that would keep me from being the dad God wants me to be.  I want to be there with them when they find a cricket, see a shooting star, ask why the sky is blue, figure out a math problem, and tell a funny story.  Now again, I'm not saying every dad should stay at home, but for me, for this time, this is my place...and I don't want to miss a minute.

You see, God in His amazing wisdom puts things together in amazing ways.  He took my dream for being a dad, husband, and child of God and melded it all together.  We are over-excited!

I'm not saying life will be easy, but it just fits.

Joshua 1:9 says, "Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take."  

-Alan