This week we received our itinerary for travel to Botswana. I was overcome with a feeling of anxiety. I still have a chest x-ray to receive! But, I have to admit that I was also excited! I have reviewed the flight schedule over and over again. It is evidence that this journey may actually be happening.
We also moved this weekend. I suppose I should say, we began moving this weekend since we will still be moving come Monday morning. I am not complaining – I am just stating fact.
Yesterday, while I am pulling two luggage carts fully loaded with contents from our old apartment en route to the new one a lady stops me and asks, “Are you moving?” Where is Bill Engvall when you need him? I just wanted to say, “NO, I decided to load up my stuff on these carts and walk around the complex to practice for moving – “Here’s Your Sign.”” Instead I said, “Yes.”
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My husband says that he has clothes to give away. I think – since my clothes take up the whole length of the closet; and my shoes occupy one side, two top shelves, and four side shelves with shoeboxes stacked two high and three deep – he is probably telling me indirectly that I need to purge. He would be right. And, I might be willing to part with a few (two small) suits. It is however, difficult for me to even begin to think about how to part with more than a couple of pairs of shoes. I think that I should get points for already giving my daughter a pair.
The truth of the matter is that I will have to do more than think about reducing the number of shoes I have, I will have to decide which shoes I can actually do without! Really?
You know, I tried this strategy of discarding a pair of shoes for each pair I purchased – right after I tried the strategy of not to purchasing any more shoes. I am ashamed to report that neither strategy has worked.
I have tried to guilt myself into reducing the number of shoes I own. I have tried to shame myself into not buying new shoes. I have tried to stay out of the stores where shoes are sold. Then I found Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, Neiman-Marcus, and something called MYHABIT sending me e-mail alerts for shoes on sale! Stop already!
Something will have to give. I suppose I will just have to bite the bullet, go cold turkey, just say no, and “Git ‘er done.” What should I do?
These are a few more steps on my African journey. (I know for a fact that I will need shoes in Botswana!) Stay tuned…
onmyafricanjourney 
Cari Britt
August 8, 2011 at 7:13 AM
I’ve heard of women’s charities that help battered women or homeless women get jobs by providing work attire. That way when they go on job interviews they look the part and can be taken seriously. Maybe if some of your shoes found a great home, you’d be able to part with them easier. It’s so exciting that you get to go on this new journey. I can’t wait to hear what the Lord has in store for you.
onmyafricanjourney
August 8, 2011 at 5:44 PM
Cari,
You are absolutely right! I gave a gaggle of shoes and clothes to the church I was attending in Richmond for the purpose of assisting women looking for work and going through the hiring process. According to my family and close friends, I still have a lot of shoes. They are right. Thank-you so much for sharing this journey with me through my blog. I am excited about what GOD has in store. I am not dictating to HIM but rather listening to HIS voice and responding to HIS lead. I covet your prayers.
Maria Sol Russell
August 8, 2011 at 8:09 AM
Give those shoes to someone in Botswana! Maybe your housekeeper knows of someone that
may need a few pairs! Just saying……. 😉
onmyafricanjourney
August 8, 2011 at 5:57 PM
Hey Maria,
I was thinking that would be a possibility as well. No doubt some of them will find a permanent place in a Batswana’s home!