Home again

Well, I'm home again after a sweet week away.  My time was filled with the quiet and beauty of that corner of NY, VT, and MA that we used to call home, the fun of being with Erin and Clara, the warmth of sitting and talking by the fire with Erin and Luke, the peace of participating in simple daily activities - hanging clothes on the line, washing dishes, picking tomatoes - and the joy of spending time with some very special old friends.  It was a very refreshing time.

Part of our routine each day was swinging in the hammock for a bit and then walking back to the raspberry patch to pick and eat a few berries.  Miss Clara loves her raspberries! 

It was really hard to leave, but I had also reached the point where I was missing my guys here a lot and ready to see them.  That's the tug and pull of far flung family.  Wanting to be in two places at once.

I got back home and immediately into the full life in this house!  I arrived at the airport at the same time as friends visiting from Indonesia so we enjoyed catching up a little on the ride in from the airport.  Then, Thursday morning it was up early to do my turn in the co-op carpool run to Davidson.  I usually stay in town and read, study, go for a walk, hang out in this lovely park  But yesterday, I headed back home to unpack and spend time settling back in - mail, laundry, a little cleaning - but only a little. I came home to a very neat, clean house!  Thanks, guys.


The day ended with a late afternoon soccer game.  Joel's team played one of their toughest rivals yesterday and won a very well played game, 2-0.  The Covenant team is doing so well this season with a 7 wins and only 1 loss, so far.  Fun to watch!

Today, I'm reorienting.  Thinking of the fall ahead, of class planning, school work, meals, schedules, responsibilities.  Thinking of how my own daily schedule can better reflect my priorities.  Thinking about what to cut out, what to keep, what is important, what is fluff. 

Time away helps clarify these things, helps me look at my life with a clearer eye.  I live in a busy place with a busy family, but I don't want to be driven by the busy-ness. I feel it, though. Just as I feel the tug of wanting to be in two places at once, I feel the tug of wanting to do many things, meet many needs. I feel the press of many demands, many expectations, many options. 

So, back home now, some assessment is in order, some prayerful seeking of the right ordering of my days. I want to live deliberately, thoughtfully, loving and caring for those family members and others God has brought into my life, doing my work, rejoicing, enjoying, reflecting and glorifying Christ, day by day. 

I pray for wisdom to do that.