mrs617

... an amazing, incredible fiance

... a sweet sweet sister/best friend

... wonderful friends

... all my sorting and packing to do in 25 days

... a peach cheesecake in the fridge for dinner

... a craving for a pretty black shawl

... two cousins younger than Hailie, which is weirder to me than having a four year old sister

... over 100 emails in my inbox again... for now

... to get to work.

I have marvelous friends. Thank you all for your encouraging response to my last post. I fought with myself last night, desiring to delete it, and not expose myself like that. God is so very good to me.

My hug meter has been going crazy lately, and I keep getting fun anonymous text messages. :D Sweet.

heh..yeah, I do it.

So I've been thinking about my questions, and though I can't fully answer them even to my satisfaction, here they are.

1. Are there homes like that for you? Are they family, or just close friends, or even just acquaintances?

There are homes like that for me. There are actually seven if I count my three married siblings...which I don't usually, just because they are an extension of our family, and it would be very strange to me if I weren't at home there. So...I say four. All three are friends, though one is kinda related.


2. What is it about these homes that makes you feel so completely at ease?

The first family I felt completely at home with was a gradual thing. We met at their home for church, and after doing so for a few months, I suddenly realized that I was completely at home with them. The second family is my sister-in-law, Rebekah's, folks house. That was pretty much from the second time I visited there. The third family we'd known for ten years before I ever visited. We met when I was a teen, and our families got along well together, but though we never lost contact, we rarely see each other (or write or call, for that matter). But when I walked in their door, I was completely at home. The fourth, of course, is Jessica's home. It wasn't instant, but obviously it wasn't months either. :) By the second day there, I felt very much at home.

As to why? This is what I can't figure out. Is it the hospitality? I know plenty of people who are hospitable, but I am not at home at their house. Is it that we're great friends? I have other great friends whose homes are not another home for me. Even a combination of the two...*shakes head*. I just don't know. But I am very thankful for the pleasure of homes away from home.


3. Do you feel that your home is a 'home away from home' for others?

I hope so. We do our best to make it feel that way, but since there seems to be no formula...I guess you'd have to ask our guests.