Today, I'm so very thankful for my family found here this Christmas!
Being part of a large (and crazy) extended family, we can be quite a sight all together! It's always fascinating how such a group of people can be together and share so much. It's also fascinating (Ty might use a different word) how we can take an eternity to make a decision or plan. Sometimes family feels unbreakable. That bond is the strongest thing on earth. Other times family pushes buttons that make me absolutely furious. Or I push buttons and cause a lot of pain to those I love most. The last few days I have been thousands of miles from any blood relations. I am an ocean away. And yet, I've had many moments of family time. We have had Australians, Kiwis, an American from Monaco, a Dutchie and our 4 Stewarts spend some great time together! We have eaten meals together. We have toured a historic city and split up to shop and drink coffee and see old churches. We have made plans, changed plans, changed plans again, and executed a new plan entirely. We have walked home in the rain laughing that deep in your belly gut laugh. We have cried as we've talked about hardships in relationships and emotional well being. We have hugged and shared in the joy of the kids all together. We have vacuumed floors, wrapped Christmas presents, cooked and washed dishes together. Here, in this foreign country-where none of us are "from" we have found family. We have found that deeper thread that ties us together. Our DNA is not found in blood relationship. Our DNA is in the Kingdom of God which has come to earth. Today, in the midst of a church family Christmas celebration, I was quite at home. This is our family. Brothers and Sisters, Aunts and Uncles, Nieces and Nephews. We are to love them, to encourage them, to mentor them, and to learn from them. I miss my sisters and my brother and my parents. I know Ty misses his too. Today I am so thankful for family that goes beyond shared genetic background though.
Today, I'm so very thankful for my family found here this Christmas!
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As we set out to travel for 4 weeks, we worked hard to settle the kids down-to help ground them. We reminded them that where we are, together, is home. I'm still working on that lesson! When packing for 3 months of travel last summer, J wanted tape. When I asked him for what (it's a precious commodity around here with a daughter who loves to create!) he held up a little sign he'd made. He wanted to tape it to his backpack "so I won't forget, mom" he said. Cut out from plain notebook paper he'd written 'I miss home.' a Couple weeks ago, before daddy flew out, he was a mess of emotions. We had to regroup and let him know all those emotions of travel and disconnecting and reconnecting are normal and we have them too. We pray over our children a lot in this lifestyle. I wonder someday what J will see that will make him think of home. I wonder where that place will be that he associates with home. In the meantime, he is learning what all of us who belong to another Kingdom must learn: we truly are strangers in a foreign land. Thank God someday we will be home permanently with Him! One of the byproducts of living the traveling life is the constancy of change of scenery. Last week I was already a bit messed up as I was running with a friend in 75* weather while talking about what to pack for much colder temps we were flying to the next night, while thinking of my husband across the World in a different climate. As I was talking (and thinking about all the change) I had to do a double take. I saw 2 tall juniper bushes with a small herd of cows in the pasture on the other side of the fence. Instantly I was transported to thoughts of Central Oregon. If I have to pick a place to call "home" to answer the "Where are you from" question this is instantly where I think of. I can't remember the last time I've seen juniper bushes-which is actually quite fine as I'm allergic to them anyway! However, that coupled with the cows, reminded me of growing up. It reminded me of a different climate and landscape and even a different smell. It reminded me of the first house my parents bought, and how hard they fought with the silly juniper bushes along our landscaping. It reminded me of friends from those years and friends I'm still in touch with. For a brief moment I thought of that place...then my running app interrupted with what mile we were on and our pace, and I was right back in the present-home again. |
AuthorsCarolyn & (sometimes) Ty Archives
March 2016
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