I don't know what it is, but lately, I have really been missing my family. I thank God all the time for my family here in Arkansas, especially my church family, but lately I have really been missing my parents and "sister" and "nephew" and "niece" (the closest an only child gets to having a sister, nephew, and niece, anyway). :)
Maybe it's because a dear friend and mentor of mine is hurting because of her dad's recent stroke. I remember watching Mom struggle back when Granaw was so sick last year, and I hated being 8 hours away while Mom and Dad were there for Granaw-- I wanted to be there for Mom, especially, because I knew how hard it was on her to watch her mom be so helpless. This new situation has flooded me with memories of last year, and I hurt for her and her family. I pray often for them, but I honestly wish there were more that I could do. I love her like an older sister, and she means the world to me. I am praising God with them for how He continues to work new miracles in her dad's recovery every day, but I also know that it is going to be a long road ahead for all of them.
Maybe it's because of the fact that I couldn't go home to be part of the memorial for my Granaw on Saturday (she was a P.E.O., and the LA state convention was Saturday, and she was one of the ones honored/remembered because she died in the last year). It killed me not to be able to go (Mom wouldn't let me drive home and have to turn right around and drive back), but I knew I was where I needed to be. Saturday was also our Regional Bible Drill, so it was good that I got to be there for the kids, and I really enjoyed watching them quoting God's word and finding things in the Bible. Spending time with them on the church bus and at Shorty Smalls (yum!) was also something that I really enjoyed-- I love those kids like they are family!
Maybe it's because of the fact that my kids at church (a few in particular) remind me of my nephew and niece and make me want to spend time with them even more. (I haven't seen them since I left after Christmas break to come back to Arkansas!) Spending the day with the Proclaim (Bible Drill) kids Saturday really made me long to see my kiddos back home! (I even sent my sister a text asking if I could have a "date" with her children when I go home, lol.) I am definitely grateful that I have the priviledge of spending time with my Proclaim, Root 66 (equivalent of Bible Buddies), and childcare kids, though-- I love them all, so much!
Maybe it's because Easter is next Sunday, and while I am excited that it is Easter because I am looking forward to celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, I am also a little bit sad because this is the first Easter ever that I will not be with my parents. I always looked forward to Daddy's Easter Sunday meal that he would cook (usually BBQ brisket with his yummy BBQ sauce/gravy), and I really enjoyed spending the day with my family after worshiping together at church. I am grateful that I will be able to spend the morning with my amazing church family, worshiping and praising God, but I am also a little bit homesick. I am longing to spend the day with family. I think that maybe I will try to turn my focus onto what I can do for someone else-- if I am feeling homesick because I can't be with my family on Easter, how many others even in my church family are feeling the same way? What can I do to serve someone else, who may be hurting or missing family or just needs some encouragement? I definitely think that this is something that I am going to pray about this week.
Seriously, after typing this and re-reading before posting (the grammar nazi in me, lol), I am realizing how blessed I am with my church family that God provided for me here. I am so grateful to have them! Sure, I may be homesick, but I know that I have people here that have become a second family for me. I am also realizing how self-centered I can be at times. There are so many people who are struggling with things that are much more difficult than being homesick! My church family has given so much to me in the (almost) two years I've been here. How can I give back? What can I do to serve the people who have meant so much to me? Maybe next week, instead of thinking about how much I miss Mom and Daddy, I can do something for someone else...
Anyway, these are just some things that have been on my mind lately.
-Mary Lin-
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