One question we’ve been asked recently is, “how has the transition been going from the house to the apartment and getting rid of so many material possessions?”. Josh and I have honestly absolutely loved getting rid of stuff, we have enjoyed the apartment a lot and not missed the house, really at all. The boys overall really like the apartment and the campus we’re on, they have more space to roam outside and love fishing. Neil has definitely struggled sometimes with missing the house, today he was crying a little because he said he missed Africa and he missed our old house.

We didn’t get rid of a lot of the boys items unless they said they were ready to part with it on their own. They’ve had a lot of change happening and processing for little hearts and minds so we didn’t push it for them.

We have so much stuff in the States, it’s just ridiculous how much we accumulate and for what purpose. It was great going through items and thinking, what is really valuable to me and us as a family. I’m not going to be around forever and when I’m gone what will my boys know, even by going through my stuff, was most important to me in the life I lived? Did I love a good deal so much that I stocked so many random items that no one ever used? My 3 questions for myself were: when was the last time I used this item, will I use it in Africa and will I actually use it in life after Africa? If I use the item once or twice a year it’s definitely going away, or worse when I pulled out an item and I had no idea when I ever…if ever, used it! Also, if you’re interested in going through your stuff, and I suggest you do, I enjoy the Minimal Mom if you need some help and pointers!

It’s freeing to get rid of stuff. It makes the space feel better and make room for the most important things-the people who dwell in it! Burundi is so simplistic, they don’t have stuff and they don’t have means to buy stuff. The stuff we have should be a blessing to us or others, it should be used and have purpose. It doesn’t all have to be a need, wants are just fine to purchase and have, but it should still have purpose and be used. If I can go through my mountains of books we had and purge, you too can go through your stuff! Sell it, pay off debt or put it in a vacation fund.

Lastly, going through our stuff challenged me on the things I do value, like a few items of my grandma’s I possess. It struck me hard though, when my kids go through my stuff someday they won’t know where that item is from or why mom kept it unless I tell them. It should be displayed or it should be brought out and talked about. I have talked more about my grandma to the boys recently than I probably ever did and it’s because I realized they should know her legacy because that is what lives on from her life. There’s nothing she would want more than for the faith she had in Jesus Christ to continue being passed down to another generation.

So, now go through your stuff: it’s challenging, fun and freeing!