The seasons of parenting
It occurred to me the other day that I have not blogged about any changes we have been going through lately. These are numerous but I just want to focus on one: Children growing up. In February of this year our oldest daughter Grace traveled to the Netherlands to go to L'abri as a student. It was a delightful experience for her going over there with two of her very good friends. The director asked Grace if she would return for the summer session as a helper and she absolutely loved it.
This daughter of ours is vibrant, strong, thoughtful (and full of deep thoughts) and a delight to her parents. She is also no longer a child. Grace will always be my daughter but she is now a woman. In all honesty, re-entry has been a challenge for me. This is the transitional time of parenting that is crucial to maintaining a relationship and allowing it to develop in a way I am not really sure about. Even though she is not totally out on her own, she has been expanding her horizons.
It seems like labor has made its appearance again and this time I don't have to take it laying down but can walk, breath, laugh, cry and rejoice in my child who has become a woman.

Lookin' for a HOME

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." John 14;1-3

In the last 5 years plus we have moved 15 times, some people live in the same house their whole lives, others grew up in one house, marry and raise there family in another and there are those who have moved more or somewhere in between. Our life upon the earth is a journey no matter where it is that we lay our heads to rest at the end of the day.

Shortly after our most recent move to Marlborough, MA (the place where we had called home for 9 years before traveling), Dan and I sat down to discuss our current crossroads, both of us had been considering whether or not it was time to stop traveling and thinking about finding some place to hang out for more than a year or so. The two of us had come to the same conclusion. We have loved living in different places and investing in our relationships with our kids and the people who have been put in our path. Since that conversation nearly two months ago, we have been back and forth, rent or buy, relocate to a brand new area of the country, find some place close by, go back to one of our favorite communities that we have had the privilege of being a part of for short periods of time, should we stay or should we go?

Although the economy is not in the best shape, the housing market still in the sink hole and the looming presidential election is upon us, there is always hope for those who are Sons and Daughters of a King, His economy is much different from ours. It also doesn't hurt to be in a profession that is always looking for experienced, well liked and hardworking compassionate people. The opportunities are great for us. Sober judgment is essential. Plenty of good reasons to buy or rent, stay or go.

If you have had a conversation with me of any length about traveling, not having a home or moving, it is more than likely that you have heard me say, "Its ALL temporary housing." This world although we live in it is not our home. There is a place often called Home by the children of God. Some say it is Heaven and it very well may be, Jesus called it Paradise and there we will live forever with our Father. This life is but a vapor!

Deciding to stop traveling is like having learned to live hanging upside down and being taken down out of the rafters and relearning to live right side up again. The pilgrims are now looking for shelter and desiring to hang a sign out "Welcome to The Mullaneys" and written on our hearts, weary ones can find rest and refreshment here.
Pax,
CM

*Please note there are so many people along the way who have provided a place to sleep, a hot meal(s) and wonderful fellowship from mid-New Hampshire to Naples FL and lots of places in between. We are so grateful to each and every one of you and each one is worthy of a blog post, hopefully I can get that done soon.