It occurs to me that I throw the word “home” around a lot.
In January, I left home [Mom and Dad's] and drove home [Springfield]. Then I left home and drove to Patti’s house. The next day I drove from Kentucky to Ft. Jackson. When I pulled through the gates and heard, “Welcome to Ft. Jackson, Victory Starts Here.” I felt I was once again coming home.
Today, I write to you from the beautiful Holiday Inn Express in Edinburgh, In. A few miles from Camp Atterbury, and a few hours from seeing my family… I’ve never been here before, but I am home.
You’ve heard the cliché, “Home is where the heart is.” I guess my heart is just all over the place. Perhaps because I leave a piece of it wherever I go, or with everyone I love.
Or maybe I feel at home because where ever I go, HE is there with me… and if HE is near… well then how much closer to home can I get?
Ah home. It’s difficult for us to tell you where that is as well. Is it Erie where we grew up? More and more it seems like a strange place. Is it Springfield, where we still own a house in which we no longer reside? How about San José, Costa Rica where we made so many memories with our family and can still name many friends, or maybe it’s here in Mexico where we’re starting over for the third time? True, home becomes a difficult thing to nail down, but when we were deciding to leave for the missionary life, we took comfort in Psalm 139:7-10 that basically says that God’s presence will be with us and will lead us wherever we go. And like you said, where He is we are home.
Comment by Dave Godzwa — February 4, 2007 @ 2:27 pm
Amy:
I had to leave a comment. A friend of mine directed me to Joel’s site yesterday, and between taking care of my sick kids, I have been reading your stories. My husband and I started our own TMMO last fall. I’m currently a member of the Air National Guard (looking forward to an overseas deployment soon!), and wife to an active duty Navy man, but I spent the first 5 years of my 10-year military career on active duty with the Army. I’m from Indiana originally (we just PCSd to Kansas), and have spent much time at Fort Jackson and Camp Atterbury. So, I feel a connection with you guys. Congratulations to both of you on your journeys with the Army, and your debt-free journey. I’m going to bookmark both your sites, and follow along. Your family is a HUGE inspiration to me! God Bless!
Comment by Jami Lynn — February 4, 2007 @ 3:37 pm
Amy:
Enjoyed your training pictures. Remember what your grandpa always said, “Dynamite comes in small packages”. You are proving that. Being short doesn’t mean you do not have great strength, physical, mental and spiritual. You go girl!!! We will continue to pray for your safe return home. Love ya.
Comment by Dana — February 4, 2007 @ 8:20 pm