First Paul Post

It's the weekend before Mercy Ships Basic Training begins. Friday was our last night sleeping in the house that's been our home for nearly 5 and a half years. Which turns out to be the longest stretch of time either Jill/I have ever lived in a single place since becoming adults. It's been emotional, for sure. 

I've been out of work for two weeks, but it's been a tough two weeks. We've been prepping the house for rental, organizing a garage sale, getting travel vaccines, preparing a sermon, then preparing for the move onto Mercy Ships campus. I was given advice to give ourselves two weeks before heading into onboarding, but in hindsight I wish I had taken much, much more than that.

My back is sore. My leg that suffered nerve damage as a result of my back injury last year, has seen the nerve come back to life, and it's screaming at me several times to "STOP!" I've not frequently been challenged physically since my back surgery in September of 2024, so all of the necessary labor to prepare for our trip was made more difficult, time consuming, and to be quite honest... nerve wracking. Some recurring thoughts this week were:

Is this good pain? 

Bad pain? 

Should I work through it? 

Should I rest?

I have learned what my new limitations are, slowly but methodically testing my boundaries, which most times felt like trial and error. Throughout all of this, my wonderful wife, Jill... my God-given helper, has been incredibly supportive, understanding, encouraging me when I'm down, picking up the slack when I need rest, and when necessary spurring me on. Thank you, honey!

Our friends and church family have been stepping up in big ways for us as well. I cannot even begin to express how eternally grateful and thankful I am for them. Not only this, but complete strangers who came to pick through our yard sale, struck up polite conversations that led to generous donations (overpayments) on some of our goods/lemonade.

I sold off almost every hobby I had (darts, inline hockey equipment, golf clubs, disc golf discs, coaching gear, etc.)... All except my musical instruments, per Jill's request, so we'll see where that goes in this next season.

My mother visited this week from New York for only a moment (sadly just under 36 hours), but the kids loved seeing their Nonnie, and I really enjoyed my time in the car taking her to and from the airport. My father, who was set to help us out this week, had an unexpected procedure that kept him from comfortably traveling and helping. Also very emotional, but I would be more upset if he hurt himself trying to be here for us! Love him. Please pray for him (Jim).

This whole experience has been very surreal to me. For some reason, I can't believe we're still actually doing this... For those who have asked about it, I usually say the same thing: 

"It's a mix of all of the emotions. We're excited and we're absolutely terrified."

If you don't mind sharing with us in this emotional rollercoaster, please subscribe, and we'll keep you up to speed on all the happenings. The good, the bad, and the ways that God speaks to us through this next leap of faith.

Closing with scripture I got this week:
"but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Isaiah 40:31