If you can believe it, we’re quickly approaching the end of May. Can you believe we’re almost halfway through 2025? It feels just like yesterday that we were celebrating the holidays with friends and yet, here we are… the temperature outside is roughly 80 degrees and will continue to climb as we sprint toward summer.
And with summer approaching, so is our long-awaited move! We’re looking at ~40-ish days until we’re in our new home in Washington. I should also say, it’s not that we haven’t enjoyed living in the St. Louis area these past three years. We’ve made some awesome friends, I took a dream job, my husband didn’t deploy for 3 whole years (though he travelled just as much!), and we watched our kiddos matriculate at school. But we long for the proximity to grandparents and aunts and uncles. We miss the mountains and the cool Spring days when everything just comes to life. We’ll of course miss the people here and the first home that we ever truly owned, the fireflies that come out in the late summer evenings, but we will not miss the crazy thunderstorms and tornadoes. This year has had its fair scares, more than I recall any of the previous years.
Worrying about the move
In the military, we call moving a “permanent change of station” or PCS. This post isn’t meant for the military PCS, strictly speaking. Relocating is proven to be one of the largest stress factors on a military member and their families. And as we eek our way closer to the move date, I find that my mind is racing with all the STUFF we’re moving, all the things that need to be done before packing, and everything that goes with moving a military family of 5 across the U.S.
Moving often brings stress, clutter, and a long list of to-dos—packing boxes, changing addresses, coordinating timelines, and managing emotions tied to leaving one home and embracing another. It’s easy to get swept up in the urgency of it all and lose sight of what truly matters.
I know we’re not the only ones experiencing this pressure and stress this summer. According to Allied Van Lines, Summer is a peak moving season, with more than half of annual moves occurring between May and September.
Luckily, since we’re military the government will cover most of the cost to move us from one location to the next. This means, they’ll ensure the company is licensed and bonded and that the company is in good standing with the government. However, we’ve learned through experience that the government won’t cover everything in a move, which is why it’s important that we really consider the things we’ll take with us. We’re doing what is called a personally procured move PPM, which means we’ll move some of our stuff and get reimbursed for it. If you’re also in the military, you can find out more about the move process at MilitaryOne Source.
Luke 10:41 reminds me of Martha, who was overwhelmed with good intentions—serving, preparing, and managing the home—yet still missed the peace available right in front of her: Jesus.
In the same way, we can spend so much energy organizing, cleaning, and planning during a move that we forget to be still and present with the One who provides rest for our souls.
Moving is stressful!
Martha, in her agitation about having to do all this work confronts Jesus. His response is,
“Martha, Martha” [Like, sigh and insert a sheepish grin on his face] “[…] you are worried and upset about so many things; but only one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:41
Jesus gently reminds Martha—and us—that while many things feel urgent, only one thing is truly needed: time with Him.
Like Martha, I’ve found myself overwhelmed during our move process — worried and distracted by many things. But Jesus gently reminds us, even in the middle of the chaos, that only one thing is truly needed: to sit at His feet and rest in His presence. However, I can look back on the 5 previous moves and I know he’s shown up! Each time there was utter chaos on packing days and the stuff arrived on time. There were a few things dinged up here and there, a box of DVDs always seems to go missing, but the important things were there. His goodness is enough.
So, while I firmly believe in this – that doesn’t negate the inevitable for us. WE. ARE. MOVING. And, I must have stuff in order to help keep my peace.
In order to keep my peace here are few things I plan to do before the move:
- Home purge – get rid of the stuff we DON’T NEED to take with us.
- Every evening, I take at least 30 mins to an hour and dedicate it to one room. I picked the small rooms first to sort of get things going, like the hallway closet where we keep jackets and boots. I went through and selected the several coats and snow boots that were too small or irreparable and decided to donate. The next night I tackled the guest bedroom. I ask myself, “Is this something we have to have? Have I used it in the last year?” and if I can’t answer yest to both of those questions, I typically set it aside for donation or sell it on Marketplace.
- Take photos of all my high valued items (electronics especially while turned on, furniture, appliances, etc.)
- Dedicate one area or room with stuff the movers are NOT allowed to pack and make it very clear that they cannot pack/touch anything there. Put a sign up that says, “DO NOT PACK”.
- Put like things in the same area for packing. All my linens will be in one area, camping gear in one area, bikes in one area – you get the picture. This will help save the movers time and YOUR time when they’re unloading.
How to Prepare For a Move
Outline what you want to record
- Item name, description and condition
- Number of items, (for example, “8 silver forks”)
- Make, model and serial number, if applicable
- Purchase information, including where and when you bought it, the cost, an estimate of its current value and whether you have the receipt (photograph or scan it if you do)
- Photo data, such as filename or number, and how it’s tagged in your files
- Consider purchasing colored masking tap to help categorize boxes (IE: Green = Kitchen, Blue = Bathrooms etc.). Amazon has some good options like this one here.
Follow these steps to get top-quality photos and video:
- Take photos in a clutter-free area. Put away your stray socks and tidy up around the house before you photograph your valuables so they can be clearly seen.
- Capture every room and photograph everything.
- Photograph high-value items separately. Record specific brand names for any high-priced items.
- Include all small items. They can add up if you need to replace them all.
- Don’t forget to include the camera or digital device you’re using.
Our 3rd PCS in 2018
- Write the serial number on an index card or sticky note to label the item before you photograph it. Photograph from all sides to show the condition and any brand names.
- Open cabinets, drawers and closets. Get close-up shots of these areas for an overview of what’s inside them.
- Don’t forget the garage or attic. Take pictures both inside and outside to capture everything.
- Talk while you walk when shooting video.
- You can add a lot of details if you narrate your video.
- Make some notes beforehand so you don’t forget any details.
- For TVs, appliances or other electronics, simple videos showing them in working order can save you a headache later.
Make a list, update it and keep it safe:
- Keep your list, photos and/or video somewhere safe. Your detailed inventory won’t help you much if your lists, photos and videos get lost in in the move.
- Keep a flash drive copy in a fireproof safe or a safe deposit box, use a cloud storage site or ask your insurance company if they have an electronic storage option.
- Keep this info with you – don’t pack it in the shipment.
- Update your inventory. Make sure to record any new items you get, especially high-value ones.
- A strong inventory can make unpacking in your new home much smoother so that you aren’t overwhelmed or lost when receiving your household goods.
- In addition to keeping your own record, make sure these inventory details are listed on the mover’s inventory sheet for high-value items BEFORE the truck leaves your house.
Check out my little graphic for 20 awesome packing hacks that you’ll thank me for later.
What to take with you when you move
Since we’re doing a partial move, we’ll be taking some things with us. We expect to be on the road for about 5-6 days and there’s somethings I’ll just want to have with me to make life easier for us. We’re planning on staying at a few camp sites in our travel trailer along the way, so your list may or may not look the same.
- Air mattresses (plus sheets and pump)
- VIP Papers (Birth/Marriage Certificates, Social Security Cards, Passports, Medical
- Records, School Records)
- Clothing
- Medications
- Service Member Uniforms and Equipment
- Pet Supplies
- Blanket/Pillow
- Towel Set Per Person
- Basic Cookware (1 Pot, Pan, Cookie Sheet, Utensils)
- Paper Products
- Jewelry
- Firearms
- Piggy Banks/Monetary Collections
- Sentimental Items and High Value Items
Move Day Tips
- Early Arrival: Be present and ready when movers arrive, providing them with a walkthrough of your home.
- Clear Communication: Communicate clearly with movers about any fragile items, specific instructions for furniture placement, or areas they should avoid.
- Supervise the Move: Stay on hand to oversee the loading and unloading process, ensuring everything is handled carefully.
- Protect Important Items: Keep valuable or sentimental items with you throughout the move.
- Take Breaks: Moving is physically demanding, so take breaks and stay hydrated.
- Tip the Movers: If you are satisfied with the service, consider tipping the movers.
- Utilities: Arrange for utility transfers at your new home, ensuring they are set up before your move.
- Final Sweep: Before leaving your old home, do a final sweep to ensure you haven’t forgotten anything.
- Secure Your Old Home: Lock all doors and windows, and turn off utilities *this can be done prior too*.
As I wrap up there are so many other things linked to this topic that I’d like to share, but I’m running out of steam. I think I’ll also write about the emotional toll this takes on children and how to ease the transition with them. So, be on the look out for that too.
Moving as a Spiritual Opportunity
It’s easy to treat a move like just another logistical hurdle, but what if we saw it as a spiritual opportunity?
What if we welcomed God into our planning and purging? What if we invited peace into our packing process?
This is what I’m working on during this move. I’m trying to keep my peace by staying organized—and staying rooted in faith.
As I pack boxes, sort through memories, and double-check to-do lists, I’m learning that peace isn’t found in perfect plans—it’s found in the presence of Jesus. Like Mary, I want to choose the better portion: to pause, breathe, and rest at His feet, even if the dishes aren’t done and the packing list isn’t complete.
So, whether you’re moving this summer or walking through any kind of life transition, I hope this reminder brings you peace: Jesus sees you. He’s with you. And He’s the constant in the chaos. Let’s not miss Him in the midst of the motion.
Thank you for gathering around my hearth this week. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have tips or tricks you’d like to share as well. Until next time,
