No Place Like Home

We traveled 9 hours and over 500 miles to make it back to Prattville, AL, from Bradenton, FL, yesterday. It was a long drive (four hours of which were in thick fog and another hour in rain) but we made it home by 1:30 p.m. CT after an early departure. It broke our hearts to say goodbye to you, Ayla, and Rob, Erica and Fiona. We had such a wonderful time and enjoyed the fun, food, crowd, gifts, adventures, discoveries and celebration of the newborn Christ. How hard it is to part with sweet family. And what joy when reunited. But we were also glad to get home, in our routine, our own beds, not living out of a suitcase. Sweet home Alabama. If you would have told me 6 years ago that I would have said "Sweet Home Alabama," I would have probably scoffed at you. After all, I didn't want to move to Alabama. Of course, I didn't want to move to Tennessee, Wisconsin and Georgia either. Daddy dragged me to each new place. It wasn't that I didn't like to see new places or meet new people. It was leaving what home we had to do it. But God has been gracious to made each new place our home sweet home. And Alabama is no exception.

I remember when Ayla first moved to Rhode Island. What a nightmare. But within a year, just as I told her, she was in love with the northeast. I believe those feelings have transferred to Bradenton, also, in the last year you've lived there, even after several months of feeling displaced and living out of your car for awhile. But now you have a precious apartment. Rob has taken his furniture out of storage and let you put it in you and Erica's apartment. He has even stained some pieces darker so the bedroom set looks good together. I see your gorgeous bedroom decor, beautiful Christmas tree, precious purple frame around your peephole in homage to Friends, nautical bathroom and other items to make your apartment your home. You took great pleasure not only in sharing it with us during our visit, but also in spending three hours cleaning it after we left. My Sunshine living in the Sunshine State. Perfect.

You will probably have many homes. I kinda hope you don't have to move as often as Daddy and I, but should you, it will be certainly a blessing. Your home is what you make it. There is adventure in the exploration of new locations.There are sweet souls the Father wants us to come into contact with. There are new lessons to learn. We have no doubt you will embrace each place with wonder, even it at first it seems daunting. Proverbs 24:3-4 says, "By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches." A home is more than the decor, location and size. It's the sweet love and memories made in it. We pray your first home together will be a hearth, residence, sanctuary, crash pad and dwelling you will find rest, peace and happiness in. We already cannot wait to visit you there ... and return safely home.

Discussion: What makes a home to you? Where would you like to live? How do you envision your future home?

Prayer: Glory to you, oh Lord, for Your direction and guidance in our lives. Thank You for gifting us with our homes. We pray we fill it with grace and laughter, blessing each and every room for Your glory. In Jesus, Amen.

By wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; And by knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Home#sthash.lGZ71QiN.dpuf

By wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; And by knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Home#sthash.lGZ71QiN.dpuf

By wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; And by knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Home#sthash.lGZ71QiN.dpuf

By wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; And by knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Home#sthash.lGZ71QiN.dpuf

By wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; And by knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Home#sthash.lGZ71QiN.dpuf

By wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; And by knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Home#sthash.lGZ71QiN.dpuf