>There's no Place like Home....

>

My mother has been insanely gracious in extending her home to Rich and I for the last few weeks while our bid has been pending on a house in Montclair. Though, it certainly has not been easy adjusting to being back in her house, it's been a blessing in more ways than one. Now, after 7 long weeks of waiting (anyone bidding on short sales, please mark my words and be prepared to grow old and wrinkly before you hear back from anyone) we were finally notified on the day that we were going to pull our bid off the table, that it was accepted. This news is more than exciting. In fact, it's more than we ever anticipated it to be.

Wanderers that we are, Rich and I were fairly concerned that upon notification of acceptance we would flip out under the weight of responsibility and the idea of "roots"; particularly in the Northern Jersey area. Finances were also a concern, as well as the foreboding thought that this huge step in life might mean we will have to hang around in the jobs we've been less than satisfied with for the last few years. All valid concerns, some may say, but thanks to God and this book my mother-in-law gently, but firmly suggested I read (Running Scared, by Ed Welch. go ahead and read it- I dare you) none of those concerns seemed to be hovering over our new house.

We are aware of exactly what this house means and exactly what it doesn't. It represents a place where we can explore, create, grow and love. It provides ample space to fill with people and their stories. There is space for our children-when or if ever we decide to have them. It signifies a new part of life Rich and I are about to embark upon together.

We've been all over the world by plane and by car, we've survived beneath the poverty level and above, we've supported each other through sicknesses and death, we've served and loved others passionately and without withholding and we're so grateful our adventures are only beginning.

We're buying a house, true. But the people we love and have yet to know, places we've been, things we've seen and done and the God we serve will make anywhere we are a home.