What Happens to Everything While We’re Gone

One thing we've learned while preparing for this mission is that leaving for 18 months involves much more than packing suitcases.

As we've worked through the practical side of getting ready, we've realized just how many parts of everyday life need a plan before we leave.

One of the biggest decisions was what to do with our home. We were fortunate to find renters through friends at church, which has given us a lot of peace of mind. Because we'll be leaving the house furnished, most of our preparation has focused on packing away personal belongings and making space for someone else to comfortably live here while we're gone.

Over the years we've tried to stay on top of home maintenance, taking care of both major and minor repairs as they came along. We've replaced the water softener, installed a new hot water heater, updated roofing paper, replaced the air conditioner, and installed a new garage door opener. While there's never a guarantee that nothing will go wrong, we've done our best to leave the house in good condition and hope it serves our renters well during the time we're away.

We're also planning to sell our vehicles before we leave. That process has been slowed down by one unexpected challenge: locating the titles. We know they're somewhere, but at the moment they seem to have disappeared into one of those "safe places" that no one can remember later.

A surprising amount of preparation involves things that most people never think about. We're reviewing subscriptions that need to be canceled, confirming our banking and financial accounts can be managed online, setting up autopay for bills, and moving most statements to paperless. Utilities will largely remain in our name, although the gas and electric service will be transferred to the renters once they move in.

We've also been working through several administrative tasks that are important before living overseas. We're renewing driver's licenses that would expire while we're gone, obtaining international driving licenses, reviewing insurance coverage, scheduling dental appointments, and meeting with our financial advisor to make sure everything is prepared for the next 18 months.

One change we're making is switching to the Church's health insurance plan. Our current insurance provides limited overseas coverage, while the Church plan offers better protection for the time we'll be serving abroad.

Along with all the practical preparations, there are still important experiences ahead. We have family members we want to spend time with before we leave, mission training courses to complete, and eventually we'll be invited to give our farewell talks to our congregation at church before beginning this next chapter.

Sometimes it feels like every time we cross one item off the list, two more appear. But little by little, things are coming together.

The mission itself still lies ahead, but many of the preparations that make it possible are happening right now.

What Do You Pack for 18-Months?

 One question we’ve been asked several times lately is, “What do you pack for 18 months?”

Since this will be our third foreign humanitarian mission, we have a better idea of what to expect than we did the first time. Even so, every assignment comes with its own challenges and considerations.

Packing for an extended mission assignment feels very different than packing for a personal trip. Normally you pack mostly for comfort or convenience. This feels more like deciding what parts of normal daily life are important enough to bring with you for an extended period of time.

Since we’ll be living in Moldova, we’re trying to think through different seasons, daily routines, church clothes, winter weather, nutritional supplements, electronics, and the everyday things we’ll want from home.

At the same time, we also know we can’t bring everything.

Most airlines limit us to two 50-pound suitcases each, along with a carry-on, so space is more limited than people might think.

Every suitcase has limits, which means every item becomes a decision. Do we really need it? Will we actually use it? It’s surprising how quickly space disappears when you’re packing for an extended stay.

Some things are obvious. Comfortable shoes, basic clothing, electronics, and hair products make the list quickly.

Other things take a little more thought. Extra kitchen items? Too many coats? “Just in case” items? It’s surprising how quickly small things add up when you’re trying to fit your life into a few suitcases.

One thing that helps is knowing that many everyday items can easily be purchased there. From previous experiences, we know there are plenty of things we’ll buy there rather than pack, and sometimes they’re even easier to find or less expensive than they are at home.

At the same time, simplifying has actually felt good. The more we sort through things, the more we realize how little we truly need to live comfortably. 

A lot of what we’re leaving behind will be packed away in storage until we come home. Some things we’ve donated, some things we’ve given to family, and some things we’ve realized we probably didn’t need to keep in the first place.

The more we pack and sort through things, the more it feels like we’re preparing for a real life transition – not just a vacation.

We still have more sorting and packing ahead of us, and I’m sure we’ll rethink at least a few things before we finally leave.

But little by little, it’s coming together.