I think it's beginning to sink in. I've been packing and packing, and it never seemed like I was getting anywhere. Now, all my books are in boxes, my furniture is being taken apart, and I no longer know where anything is. Yep, definitely moving. It's very strange. We're sorting through everything tomorrow, getting like boxes together to make it easier to load on Monday when we pick up the U-Haul and make our first trip. I say first trip, because there will probably be at least two. I hope OMS has a garage sale, because I'll be looking to unload some excess.

It's hard to say how I feel right now. I want to be done and moved in, so that is distracting me. I'm nervous, because I'm not entirely sure what to expect, but I'm excited, too. This is something I've worked toward for a very long time, and to finally be able to see it come together is so amazing!

Now, I promised you a list, so in honor of Moving Day, here it is. While William Carey was in India, he drafted 11 Commandments of Missions for the mission at Serampore. I've taken this from the "Glimpses of Christian History" Issue 236 and tweaked it a little to fit broader circumstances. A missionary's purpose is:

1. To set an infinite value on men's souls.
2. To acquaint themselves with the snares which hold the minds of the people.
3. To abstain from whatever deepens man's prejudice against the Gospel.
4. To watch for every chance of doing the people good.
5. To preach "Christ crucified" as the grand means of conversions.
6. To esteem and treat native populations always as our equals.
7. To guard and build up 'the hosts that may be gathered.'
8. To cultivate their spiritual gifts, ever pressing upon them their missionary obligation, since native populations only can win their brothers and sisters for Christ.
9. To labor unceasingly in biblical translation and study.
10. To be instant in the nurture of personal religion.
11. To give themselves without reserve to the Cause 'not even counting the clothes we wear our own.'

I never realized how expensive it was to move. And the boxes! I think I have about ten boxes of books so far - nothing else, just books. Perhaps Thomas Jefferson knew what he was doing when he donated everything to create the Library of Congress.

Just a few weeks to go! You should have received an update letter, or will shortly. If not, let me know so I can get you on the list.

Quick note - I had a traumatizing experience last week when my canoe tipped; I was very unprepared. :) Aside from a few bruises, I'm fine, and none of my stuff got dunked, just me. Good times.

I've got a list I found the other day that I'll post later this week. I found it very interesting. I'll also post some of my psych profile stuff I'm doing for training. That should tell you a few things!

See you soon!