MOVING ON UP, OVER, AND AWAY
Most of us as will find our families making several moves during the years our husbands serve as pastors. Sometimes these moves are welcomed and anticipated, other times they are unwanted and difficult. Whatever the circumstances of the change of address for our families, we can take some practical steps to make the transition from one home to the next easier.
One of the best pieces of moving advice given to me, has been to take time to say good-bye to people and places. It's important to say those words of thanks and love to those who have blessed you during your stay at a congregation. It's important to acknowledge, and let your children express any sorrow they have at moving. It's often been said that children are resilient, and this is true to a point. However, it is very important we provide a safe, accepting environment to allow our families to share their varying emotions regarding a move. If time allows, it's also helpful to take "one last trip" to that special park, restaurant, or lake where your family created memories.
Planning is the #1 key in preparing for a successful move. Keeping a notebook or calendar with projects to be completed by a certain date can be a great motivator and organizational tool. It can be helpful to remember three words while preparing for a move - Purge, Preserve, and Pass-it-on. Get three boxes ready for each room of your house and fill them up. If you're goal is to fill up three boxes a day, think of how easily you'll be packed by moving day. Sometimes it helps to have a friend sit with you and ask you, "Are you really going to use this?" or, "Is this really worth the effort of packing, hauling, and unpacking?" If you're decision is to preserve an item, pack it carefully with like items and label it well so it's easy to find again. Consider giving "pass-it-on" items to friends who would appreciate them. If you have enough time before a move, a garage sale is a great way to earn some extra cash to set up house in your new location. Get pre-priced stickers and mark items for sale as you place them in your purge box. If time and energy are in short supply, donate items to your favorite local charity or thrift store.
Once those boxes are all packed and moving day has arrived, make the day flows as easily as possible for your family and for those helping you. Before helpers arrive, double check and make sure all boxes are clearly marked (according to room and type of items) and securely taped. Have items that are fragile labeled as such with a different color marker and put two people whom you know will handle those boxes with TLC in charge of them. If you have furniture that is disassembled before moving, put all necessary hardware into a sealed baggy and securely tape it to the furniture. If you have little ones at home, set up a babysitter (at their home) ahead of time. The commotion of moving is stressful not just on Mom and Dad, but on children as well. Provide your family and friends with plenty of drinks, and nutritious snacks or sandwiches to keep energy levels high. As a room is emptied, clean it and shut the door. If you have even two friends willing to help you clean as rooms are vacant, your cleaning time will go efficiently.
When you arrive at your new home's door, there are steps that can make unloading easier as well. Consider taking some paper signs labeled for each room so people know where to put boxes. It saves so much time to have boxes delivered right to the kitchen or bedroom so setting those rooms go smoother. If you're moving into a home with light carpets, or it's simply a muddy time of year, buy plastic sheeting to lay down on the floor to keep your new home's pathways cleaner. Again, provide healthy snacks and beverages for those helping you set up your new home. End your day with thanking God for your former home, and asking His blessing on your new one!
