until His nets are full: c-listing.

“Sell your possessions, and give to the needy.

Provide yourself with moneybags that do not grow old,

with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail,

where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.”

Luke 12:33

This verse has been somewhat of an anthem for Dana and I over the last few months. “Sell your possessions... and give to the needy.” We’re taking these instructions quite literally, as Francis Chan pointed out in a conference we attended last week – “It’s not difficult, so let’s not make this hard: read the word of God, and obey.” It has been an interesting journey to say the least; this process of de-“stuff”ing myself. I wish I could upload my 6-page color-coded spreadsheet for you to marvel at. It’s been emotional. It’s been hysterical. It’s been chaotic. It’s been freeing. But most of all, it’s been one step closer to

Uganda

, and the amazing plans that God has for us there. It’s been a true reminder (yet again) of God’s faithfulness; He has been in every crazy encounter, and every divine connection along the way! Dana blogged about this crazy Craigslist journey last week, and I wanted to share her words with you, she sums it up a whole lot better than I could…

I could tell you about “Rick the bracelet hoarder” who bought a David Yurman from Laura, wanted another Yurman of hers for CHEAP [basically trying to steal it out from under her while not noticing via email it was the same chica selling all these blasted bracelets], and when they finally met up for a THIRD bracelet, he didn’t even know who she was. I could tell you about our first CL sale - a young man buying a purse for his mom who asked why we were selling our stuff - Me: “We are moving out of the country” - Him: “Oh, I just moved out of the country closer into town”. Bless him. There are mannequin-lovers in the CL world. There’s also quite a laugh in how someone is rejoicing over Laura’s collection of nutcrackers including the beloved “Rat King” who requires no further comment. Sometimes people come shopping in your house and it’s pretty liberating to be able to say “If it's not spell-o-taped to the wall, floor, or ceiling you can make me an offer”. If you’re in the market for cash - electronics are selling like hot cakes. You can’t answer these people’s emails quickly enough! Unless you’re Dana or Laura and you stalk your inbox every 3.5 minutes. But we just need to make it clear that we didn’t list our items on this site to trade you for anything. Except cash. A $15 clear vinyl chair mat for your office - SOLD! If that isn’t the Lord telling us He will provide, I don’t know what is. And just when CL dies down for the day and we say a quick prayer for people to stop updating their business spreadsheets in the office and hop on the site - they do. And they email us with an insanely low offer. We’re asking you to purchase our possessions, not steal them from us! We do; however, perform frequent price-slashing, giving hope to the penny-pinchers. Ok, jokes aside...

We have more Craigslist stories than I could tell you in 24 hours. It’s undeniable how the Lord truly is working in every aspect of this journey. It sounds a bit silly and strange to say, but He has connected us with so many amazing people through Craigslist and eBay. People more generous than we expected and more understanding, giving, loving and appreciative than we anticipated. This experience is simply another way of God reminding me that each and every one of His children is special and unique. I’m so blessed to have met these people and to have these memories. I love strangers. Yes, my mother taught me well, but I think it was sooner rather than later that I began striking up conversations with random humans out of the blue. I’ll assure you, it’s the way to go because sometimes... you sell kayaks to a mother and son with hearts for adventure. Sometimes you meet a woman making a man-cave in her basement for her husband in the military before he is deployed. Sometimes you sell an iBook to a mother with foster children. Sometimes you sell the watch off your wrist you think you couldn’t part with to a precious eBayer in Texas who promises to take good care of it. Sometimes you meet a husband and wife to buy a sofa and it turns out they’re truly wonderful people with hearts for Jesus. And, Rick, you-bracelet-hoarder-you, we love you and are thankful for you, Darwin bumper sticker and all.