We're packing, sorting, and preparing to move by August 1. What a perfect time to get rid of dead weight!

A thought keeps running through my head. I heard a pastor once talk about how much we now value our stuff and use it to identify us, rather than use it to fulfill a purpose for us. He went on to say that not too many years ago a missionary family would leave to serve overseas with just a suitcase in each hand. Nowadays, a missionary family often fills a shipping container with just their basics, according to him. He wasn't pointing a dig at missionaries so much as jabbing us all for the misplaced importance we put on our belongings.

Today, as I was sorting, I kept asking myself, "Would I need this overseas?" Almost always, the answer was no. Sometimes I opted to keep it anyway. At least it became an intentional decision rather than just putting every silly little item I own into a cardboard box.

A simplified life has less stuff to consume thoughts. Therefore, more mental space for creativity. Again, I am searching for space. Go, Home Astronaut!

I have a funny story to tell in a few days, but first I need to get permission from the person involved. Check back for a laugh!

While traveling, my children refused to play a game I made up: Instead of calling heads or tails, anytime we'd pass a field of cows the goal was to find one with its tail up and quickly call Pee or Poop. Then watch the chosen cow for who won the call. They thought that was disgusting.

Much later down the road (this is a true story), I saw two billboards side by side. One advertised the Chief Motel and Restaurant; the other showed Collicut Taxidermy Services. The motto read, "Where quality comes first." Guess which one? That, of course, makes me wonder about the quality standards of the other.

Soon we are moving to Ulysses, KS! Woo hoo!