Welcome Home

So, this last week I have been absent. I have been gone. I swear I have left my brain somewhere. I think I might have left it here, in Indianapolis, IN. This is our CSU student crew at our booth at the National FFA Convention. We spent three days needing a lot of antibacterial gel because we shook so many hands! We had a great time. I always enjoy being gone. I don't mind the travel (altough that was one bumpy ride going in) and I don't mind the craziness of preparing, planning and doing a trip. I am always so happy to be home, though. I have heard that home is where the heart is. I have heard there is no place like home. I wonder what it is about my crazy, dirty, chaotic home that I crave so much when I am away from it. Even yesterday, faced with another idiot move of mine when I realized I wouldn't be able to get home because my keys were in Indiana, I was problem solving how I could most quickly get home. Mark isn't home (although it is better to come home to him!). So what is it? Well, partly it is this. Cy (the cat) and Boone (the lab) have attached themselves to my heart. I am not a cat person. And Cy is an annoying cat. He doesn't usually want love, only when I am doing my bible study (here he is sitting on my bible) or when I need to work on my computer at home. Boone, on the other hand, is always needing love. How can you resist this face??? He is always happy to see me. Excited more than any 5 year old lab should be. It is just welcome to come home to those things we KNOW. That never change.

I packed my bible and my devotion and my journal for my trip. And I didn't touch it. I feel guilty over this. I didn't make time. I could have, but I didn't. But his morning when I woke up to a quiet and peaceful house, I felt the call to the scriptures again. The Lord whispered to me, Welcome Home, child, Welcome Home.

I want to be that woman that has it all together, that can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan, value her husband, take immaculate care of the carpet, provide service to the needy, love unconditionally. But, home is where I can be just who I am, because what is here loves me regardless of how long it takes me to unpack my suitcases. And my heavenly home, my father, well he made me just as I am. He knew that I would disown him this week, not focus on him, not trust him. And yet, he loves me. He welcomes me when I return, hugs me and reminds me that I can do better next time. And then, one day, he will say to me, not through a whispering of the Spirit, but face to face...Welcome Home, Child, Welcome Home.

Lord, I pray that where ever people call home, that they know you and your presence and gain a peace of knowing there is NOTHING, no NOTHING, that we can do that will make you stop loving us. For those that are displaced from their homes today, or are moving homes today, or have no sense of home, will you call them? Won't you give them your peace and understanding? Won't you welcome them? Lord, help me to reach out to them. I love home, help me to provide that to those that need it. Help me to point to the best home today. Lord, make my home strong. Let it be an offering to you. Thank you for all you give me. I am unworthy, but I am so grateful. Amen.

Peace...and posting at night.

Well, this post is for all of you morning bloggers! You know before I was married, I was a night owl. I stayed up really late, most nights and dragged myself out of bed in the morning. However, I married a morning man. Early morning man. I don't enjoy mornings as much as he does, but I have to say that my schedule has shifted to match his more than the nocturnal tendencies of single hood. The best part about waking up later than my man, is that I get coffee in bed each morning. It is Mark's "service" to me. I love it. I never knew that I would love this sweet habit so much, but it is grand. A kiss on cheek and the smell of coffee, with hazelnut creamer. It just doesn't get much better. But, alas, Mark is hunting; when Mark is gone, I revert back to my former self...so here is to all of the night owls out there. Making my own coffee just isn't the same!

I have waited awhile to post. I have had a major step in my PhD due. I had to get my first three chapters submitted to my committee this week. I am two days late, but I am happy to say that I put my proposal to bed tonight. The references are checked, the table of contents is accurate, its proofed and ready to go. All 60 pages of it. Late. But done. I am so very thankful. It has been a week full of blood, sweat and tears, and the flu. It has taken an act of perseverance and faith. I fully know that I could not have done this without HIM. Proverbs says "In all your ways acknowledge him, and HE will keep you paths strait." Well, maybe it wasn't straight, rather windy and steep, but HE was faithful. Praise.

I have a deep, deep peace right now. I love posting at night after a long, difficult day. The thing about blogging, is that each moment makes you think differently about things - about its true meanings, about how life experiences might help others, about how the Lord led me through the day. I can see his hand on me, pulling me throughout the day. Even when I didn't know it. I can see it now. I'm tired and thankful. That's a great way to end any day. Anyhow, the blogging was my reward for finishing. I can't believe that I am actually writing more now! But I am tired and wore out. In a very good way.

Lord, I pray for those that may read this. Help them to see your blessings in the morning and in the evening. Give them energy for their day ahead if they read this in the morning. Give them a thankful peace for a great rest if they read this at night. Thank you for the blessings that you give me. Thank you for "calling" me and reminding me that I am yours. Amen.