Where the Heart Is...

Some people have the amazing experience of growing up in the same house throughout their childhood years. And for some, the home is still owned by family and they are able to return to that place of memories now as an adult. What that must feel like! To return to the place that holds so many memories and feelings of sentiment.

Of course, this tends to be less and less of a trend these days, as the average homeowner remains in a house less than 5yrs. My own childhood was filled with moving and starting new schools and living in different homes. With those experiences have come valuable life lessons too. Like learning to adapt to a new setting, making friends, and accepting change.

But I can't help but envy those who have those strong ties to familiar childhood settings. Traditions. Nostalgia. Lifelong friends that have known you since kindergarten. That playground that you remember chasing kids around. The well-beaten path between your house and your best-friend's. Any memories like these that I try to conjure up are immediately assigned to multiple street addresses, and none of those sentiments run very deep, since our family often had to uproot and transplant before strong ties were forged.

Around this time of year, as my sisters and I make plans for the holidays, my mind can't help but run back to this very theme. Because, where is home?? Where should we host the holidays this year?? What traditions can we start, and hopefully keep?? Have you ever seen that saying, "Home is Where the Heart Is"?? Well, in our case, I have decided that "Home is Where the Family Is."

No matter where we hold our holiday meal or settle down to open thoughtful gifts, it always seems like 'home' when we are all together. Because it's the same silly Lindsey who is making us laugh with her homemade gifts and crazy food concoctions. It's always Marilee creatively setting the table and finding a super soft blanky to snuggle in. It's always big sis Jenae serving a well planned and amazingly delicious meal to the rest of the family. It's always Brandon in the corner, gracing us with his heavenly voice as he strums Christmas chords on his guitar. It's always Mom sharing with us her latest story of how she blessed (or was blessed by) a person in need. It was always Dad filling the room with an aroma of music as his fingers effortlessly danced across piano keys. Hmm...and me?? I'm not sure what the others would attribute to me...but hopefully it's the fact that I LOVE stories! And I love to hear all about the things each person is going through at that moment in life. And I always have a camera, ready to snap a silly smile or a precious hug in action. Home is the way someone will start singing the lyrics to a favorite holiday tune or a worship song, and very naturally within moments it will become a 6-part harmony.

This is home. No matter the location. These are the memories that never change. They go far and deep. And they have become such an amazing treasure to me. Thank you Lord for each and every amazing person you have placed in my life. And thank you that the one constant thread that runs throughout the canvas of our family is a love for YOU! Jesus Christ. Lover of our souls. Our Redeemer and Savior.