On Feelings and Foundations

I sit here in my mom's living room, clothes stacked and waiting to be packed, and thinking. An hour or two ago, I was ready to be on our way, with images of my king sized bed and velvety bedding awaiting me. Telling Jeff about new thoughts and ideas for ways to reach our community. Now I'm assailed by emotions I would have thought had been overcome by now. I'm homesick and we haven't even left yet. I realize its only been one year. What is a year compared to 17. I'm not sure time really matters totally. I have an inexplicable feeling of coming home as we round the curve into Westville on hwy 62. We haven't lived there in 20 years. Most of the people we knew have changed and/or moved on, but still I feel the connection. I guess because that is the place where my faith was formed and my family is founded...well, my mom's family. All that is to say, I think the writer who stated "you can't go home again..." was wrong. Maybe its hard. You change when you're away, but home is supposed to be there waiting, even if its just for a visit. In some cases, maybe visiting is all that will ever happen, but visit we will. Although, our two week visits seem so long, in the end, they are never long enough. I am ready for my bed, ready for my space, ready to see our youth and church family, but I leave here wishing I had more time. I will be home again, for holidays, summer trips, and "just because." I will be homesick at times, as well, but God used a new friend at camp to speak into my life about that too! So tomorrow morning when we get the kids around and have to drag them out the door, I will remember the joy of the Lord is my strength. I do not serve him based on my feelings, for they are fleeting and changeable. I serve Him because He is Lord of all and Lord of my life. I will follow the road He puts before me, not because it is easy and desirable, but because I have lived with His presence in my life and I have life without it. I never want to be in that place again. My life is truly not my own! In my own hands it is simply folly, but in His hands He can use the "foolish things of this world to confound the wise" To God be the glory!!

How Time Flys

If there is one thing that can't be missed during a trip Meemaw and Pawpaw's house, its playing at the mall! My kids think it is the best thing ever. Yeah, their experiences are limited, but Hey! they're easy to please!!

I remember teasing Jeff about his ten year reunion the year we got married....he was SO old! Ha! That was until mine came this summer. I didn't have any gray hair for mine, and if i had, no body would have seen it! I'm just teasing Jeff. I actually like his gray hair, and he isn't going to dye his...hopefully! We had a great time at the reunion. We met at P.G. for family time. It was great to see all of their families. I have to say our class has some cute kids. Unfortunately, I was too busy socializing and keeping up with Rileigh Cait to take pictures. this is the only one I actually took. Jessica did an excellent job taking pictures, thankfully!

That night was for adults only. We rarely have actual date nights, so it was extra special spending it with my old school friends!These were my girls, Amanda, Kristen, me, Tab. We were missing Amanda and Tania

me, Melissa, and Jessica.

Jarrod, me, and Jessica. Jarrod was my hero in high school, but I think he must have gotten taller...I don't remember being that short!

Tab and I had to relive our typical Sat night activity! It was so funny. Neither of us have gotten any better, but it was still hilarious! I think Jeff and I won because her or Heather knocked the eight ball in the wrong pocket! We also had a great time getting to know Heather's husband Matt.

Jeff had fun too. Kristen's husband, Steven, and Matt made for great company. It was a wonderful time. I hope we see them all again before the next ten years!