The Next Chapter

Saying 'good-bye' to Australia

          And 'Hello'
 to my Indiana home....

There wasn't a day that passed in Australia that I wasn't filled with awe at it's beauty. Even in the rain, there were just so many amazing sights and sounds. I often wished that the people back home could be there to enjoy it with me.  I even feared that leaving that paradise and returning to a home surrounded by corn fields would be difficult. Yet, last week when my grandson asked if I missed Australia, I was able to honestly say, "only the people." I am glad to be back enjoying the sights and sounds of my Indiana home.

I do desperately miss the wonderful people who made my life so rich while I was there. They are family to me and I think of them often.  You can't live among such incredible folks for three months and then fly away without having some serious sorrow knowing that you may never be able to hug them, share morning tea with them, laugh with them, and walk closely beside them this side of eternity. They enriched my life and broadened my horizon.  They helped me to see how very important it is to be an encourager. They helped me to see myself and know myself better than I ever had. They allowed me to use the gifts God has given me to pour into their lives. Facebook, email and skype are great tools to keep us connected. And I am so grateful for that. But I long for time sitting across from them, just sharing life over 'tea and crumpets.' (okay, I only actually had tea and crumpets once, but you get the picture.)

I am also grateful for the home God has provided for me right here in Indiana. As I sit on the porch composing this blog I can hear 5 different kinds of birds, an insect or two, squirrels scampering through the woods behind the house, swans clumsily landing in the lake across the road... and... is that the sound of a garter snake rustling through the leaves from last autumn that got trapped in the early growth of Lily-of-the-valley right beside me?  No worries, there are no poisonous or deadly snakes to fear in my yard here.

Home is a beautiful place to be. If I lose everything, I  pray that I will never lose the ability to be grateful for all the blessings with which God surrounds me every single moment of my life, no matter where I find myself. I want to fall asleep praising Him every night and wake up praising Him every morning.

"The faithful love of the Lord never ends. His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."                                                          Lamentations 3:22-23  NLT