I didn't realize how much I had allowed myself to worry about our trucking situation. Looking back I can see now that it was always nagging in the back of my mind. Every packing decision seemed to be influenced by our method of transporting our household to Waxhaw. I needed to nail some of the details down. So, this became my first order of business once I was on break for the Christmas holiday. Little did I know God would test me and teach me an important lesson in the process.

December 22, 2009 - I've been researching moving options: we pack/we load/we drive; we pack/we load/they drive; or we pack/they load/they drive. Anyway we slice it this is not going to be cheap.

December 28, 2009 - Called three professional moving companies today and arranged for them to come to the house and give us estimates next week.

January 4, 2010 - Turns out there's a missionary transportation organization called... Missionary Transport (MTS). They're based in Monroe, NC, about 20 minutes away from JAARS! Just talked to them about the basics. Sounds like a good option.

January 5, 2010 - The first moving company came and they estimate that we have 15,500 lbs and they're estimating over $6,500 for them to load our stuff onto their truck, drive it to Waxhaw, and unload it. Ouch.

January 6, 2010 - The second company came today. They estimate us to have over 17,000 lbs and they're quoting us almost $7,000. Man, it's looking like this move is going to cut into the money we saved up for the down payment on our house in NC.

January 7, 2010 - I talked to MTS again today and they can move us for less than the cost of the U-Haul option. Since would not charge us for weight they can put one of our cars on the truck! That's less than half of the estimate we got two days ago. The fact that they can haul one of our cars will save us $150 in gas and allow the family to ride together on the trip South! They will also hold our load for two weeks so we can finish some things up on the apartment and visit with friends on our trip. Sweet!

January 8, 2010 - The third moving company walked through our house today. They estimate that we have over 17,500 lbs. Their estimate is a little closer to $7,000. OK, MTS it is!

January 19, 2010 - Got a call from MTS. Bad news, there is a problem with their US DOT filing that they submitted in November, 2009. Turns out they will have to wait for this filing to come through before they will have the legal authority to move us across state lines. God is more powerful than the federal government. We'll have to be praying about this.

February 18, 2010 - No word from MTS. "Lord, please make this work. All the other options we've looked at are more expensive and complicated. I guess more people need to hear about our need so you will be all the more glorified when you meet it."

February 22, 2010: 8:00AM - Just sent out the announcement about our 40 Days of Prayer adventure to the 200 people who are partnering with us in prayer. I included a blurb about the trucking arrangements and asked folks to pray about it.

February 22, 2010: 9:00AM - Called MTS to see if there is any word. Nothing. They said they've been praying about it too and they plan to do a brainstorming session to come up with ways to get us moved somehow. They're going to call me on Friday.

Friday 22, 2010: Noon - MTS just called to say they were just informed that their DOT filing went through and their NC number went active last week. They can move us!

In the grand scheme of things it's just money and convenience but it matters to us and God cares about the little things, especially when they are used to bring Him glory.