Today (12/30/2013) started our 3 day move/packing process. Palmer sent one man to pack up our containers to be shipped to Japan.
We were so thankful for Amy's Dad who was also here to help us out during the day. Having his calm spirit and relaxed composure with us made us feel that way too. [Whenever I (Amy) felt like a lost puppy, seeing Ryan & Dad so collected and hopeful reassured me that everything was going smoothly.]
Up until today, we have gone through basically every closet and drawer, separating out the items we want with us in Japan, items we'll put in storage, and items that we want to donate. When Robert arrived, we had already set aside what was going to Japan. Along with our closets of clothes, we hoped to fit our kitchen appliances, books, pictures, home decor, Christmas tree, guitar, sewing machine, computer, and craft supplies.
Robert came in and put his nose to the grindstone right away, working from 8:30am - 12:30pm.
We were each allotted one "D sized" container to be sent by air.
Each container was 58"x41"x45" and the combined weight we were allowed was 679 lbs. We weren't sure which would restrict us first, dimensions (the size) or weight of our stuff. Our desire was to take everything we wanted to remind us of home, but we were unsure if we would have to leave our "wants" in order to fit our basic "needs." We knew that whatever didn't fit into these containers would have to come with us in a suitcase the day we leave, and we can only take so many suitcases on the flight. Overall, we were nervous about this day.
Robert started in the closets, putting our clothes into "wardrobe" boxes which have a bar across the top so they can hang. We wish we would have gotten a picture of it; it was a pretty cool box. He also packed "laydown wardrobe" boxes with clothes that can be folded. After that, he worked through our household items little by little. Pictures, books, movies, decorations, craft supplies, crock pot, electric skillet, hand mixer...
Our Hass travel map...
Amy's guitar and sewing machine...
Until everything was boxed up...and we hadn't yet reached 679 lbs! Robert started another box, and we put shoes, more clothes, and coats inside. Whew! Less to put in a suitcase! With that we had 15 more pounds to go. We broke for lunch and literally walked around the entire condo looking for what else we could take. What a huge gift! We never thought we'd have to think of MORE things to take. So Amy went to the sink to wash and add our favorite tea kettle, stock pot, panini grill, pie & cake pans (just the right size for a toaster oven), and cooler containers (with dreams of picnics in bamboo forests).
With everything packed up, the real moment of truth awaited. Would all of these boxes fit into the D containers?
We felt like we were holding our breath as Robert took each box out to the truck. What if the boxes didn't fit? What if the types/shapes of boxes didn't fit together within the dimensions of the D container?
When empty, the D container looked small. With every box he put into the D container, the container seemed to look bigger. He kept filling and filling until every last box was inside!
Everything fit! We prioritized the items we wanted in order of "needs," and thank God, everything we NEEDED and WANTED is now ready to ship to Japan!
Done. We are looking forward to unpacking it in a few weeks in our Japan apartment!
Thanking God for helping us in our time of need. He provided peace throughout the day and saw that those things we wanted could get to us in Japan.
Days 2 and 3 coming soon. Happy New Year!
Love,
Ryan & Amy
Love! The company that recently moved us used wardrobe boxes with silver metal hanging bars, too, and we liked them so much, we kept all of them {still in our basement!}! So glad everything fit! That is so wonderful. It made me think of Jesus using the fish and loaves of bread.. and how it was more than enough! Haha! : ) Awesome!
ReplyDelete