Wednesday, July 20, 2016

The Heart of It All


Home.

Just the word brings a sense of comfort, of security.

So while I love the oceans and mountains of Taiwan, and the green and openness of Ohio, it is the people in my two homes, that makes them my homes.

People like family....

Grandma Castanien
Nick and his cousin Andrew.
Carl and his dad.
And friends...

Becca, Sarah, Abbi, and Jake.
Teens and their moms! A great group of friends!

Leaving Ohio will be hard.

Yes, I will miss my mom, my sister and her family.

Yes, I will miss Carl's dad, sisters, and the rest of the Dingus clan.

Yes, I will miss our beloved church family.

But, these are not the reasons it will be so much more difficult than past years. Climbing onto that plane will be harder than ever because three of my children will not be with me.

Nick and Ben will return to Oklahoma Baptist University.

And this August, Abbi becomes an Ashland Eagle.


Only Jacob stands between us and an empty nest. 

For our college aged children, there are no quick visits home. No weekend or even holiday trips to see mom and dad. 

Mom and dad are only a phone call away. Yep, a phone call, thats all they get. 

Well, thats not totally true. They get lots and lots of prayers from both their mom and dad. While difficult to see, there's no telling the role those prayers have played.




Thursday, July 14, 2016

Home Sweet Home


How can one single event in time feel like just yesterday AND a decade ago all the at the same time?

Time is such a funny thing.

This photo was taken exactly a month ago as we awaited take-off on the first of three flights. 

Our destination? 

Home.

But, where or what exactly is home?

When we were in Taiwan, we eagerly anticipated flying home. But, now that we are home, we miss  home.  It's all so confusing! I guess its kinda like giving birth to your second child and being pleasantly surprised that you love your second born just as much as your first born.

Yes, I have two homes, and yes, I love them both!


Our home away from home!


Best seat in the house!


Corn.


So much green!


More corn.


And even more corn.


Plenty of clean, fresh air!


Sky everywhere!



Gorgeous sunsets!

I love Ohio.

I love the country life.

Extra blessed by this home!