Monday, February 14, 2011

Valentine's Day and why I blog.

A writer writes not because he is educated but because he is driven by the need to communicate.
Behind the need to communicate is the need to share.
Behind the need to share is the need to be understood.



~Leo Rosten

I have been wondering why I blog. Does anyone else besides me even care or read it? This weekend someone actually came up to me and talked to me about one of my posts. I was so surprised. Then today I came across this quote. I do have this need to communicate, to share and to be understood. I also have a strong need to let other people know that they are not alone. I want others to know that even in this technology age where we can email, video conference, facebook, chat, text and twitter, that life can still get lonely at times. Sometimes we all feel alone and wonder if anyone else really does care about what we are going through and even with all of these ways of communicating, do we REALLY communicate with each other. Our communications are still so shallow. We still work so hard to protect ourselves and to keep others from really knowing us. This blog allows me to share with others about what is really going on in my life. It also allows others to lurk... (that's what I've seen it called) to peek into another's life and see that truly we are all much more similar than different.

Recently our family has been making some big changes. We have moved closer to our church. That move has meant leaving much behind. A home, friends, family, spending time with my nieces, being involved with my children's sports and lots of stuff. (It's not possible to cram a 3600 square feet of stuff into about 2200 square feet) We are only 30 minutes away so I will still see my family and friends and I will always be involved with my children's sports but it IS still different. I want to be clear that Rob and I know that God has called us to these changes. Following God is an amazing journey but not always easy, even when you know you are doing the right thing. Oddly, I keep thinking I'd be more upset about these changes. I am at peace. I'm sharing this because I know how overwhelming God's plan can seem. How impossible, impracticle. Even more difficult when other people are involved like spouses, children and extended family and good friends. Following God is not just a choice that I make in a bubble. There is a trickle down effect. I believe that when one of us chooses to follow God, it opens the opportunity for God to be able to work in the lives of others as well. Not that God can't work without us, but when others see us doing what He wants, it can become less scarey for those who watch us.

God loves us and wants us to draw closer to Him. Sometimes it means walking away from what we know and what feels comfortable. This move is a work in process and has not been without it's bumps and tears. Just because it is the right thing to do, doesn't mean it will be easy. I can only say that God is pleased when we follow Him. I have not finished this journey yet so I don't know all that is to come. I do know that as long as I am taking this journey following God that I am in the right place.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone.
May Jesus be your special Valentine today and always.


Love,

Sunday, February 6, 2011

What makes a house a home?


I am sitting here in our living room watching the Super Bowl.
We spent our first overnight in our new place on Sunday, January 30th. Rob and I had gone away for our joint birthday celebration to see the Million Dollar Quartet in NYC on Saturday the 29th. We both turned 40 within 6 days of each other. Spending the night in NYC was incredible. We had such a fantastic time. We came home and suddenly we were packing up the beds and heading to the new house.

Does sleeping in a house make it home?


On Wednesday night, Rob made us dinner at the new place.

Does eating a home made meal make a house a home?

Friday we celebrated Rob's birthday here.

Does celebrating a birthday here make a house a home?

Today we bought curtains for the new place.

Does hanging new curtains make a house a home?

Tonight we are watching the Super Bowl together.

Does cheering and booing during the big game
make a house a home?

As I've been wondering when this new place will become HOME to us... I realize that it is the family memories that we make together that will gradually make this house our home.