Home

This past week, Tanner was supposed to have gone to Destin, FL for church camp, but because of timing and it being close to her next round of vomiting, it was decided that she was better off not going.  She was highly disappointed that she wasn't able to go, but totally understood the reasoning behind it.  She's just a champ like that. 

When she found out she wasn't going to be able to go to camp, she immediately said she wanted to come to Grandma and Grandpa's house that week, if possible.  That if she couldn't go to the beach, the next best thing would be Grandma's.  Of course Mom and Dad weren't going to tell her no, so we met them in Lamar, MO last Sunday and she came home with them. 

She's had a great week.  She's gotten to hang out with her Emma (my niece) a lot; she's gone swimming; hung out with Matt; gone to work with Mom; baked; had some Grandpa/Tanner time and has just gotten to relax.  She told me earlier today "It was a bummer that I didn't get to go to camp, but I sure have had fun up here in Kansas City."  Makes this Momma's heart happy.

I took today off of work and decided to come up and do some shopping.  I've had several gift cards put back since Christmas that I wanted to finally use and plus, I just thought it'd be a nice break from the hustle and bustle of life lately. 

Typically I don't like making the drive up here by myself.  I've gotten so spoiled over the years by having Steve with drive us.  So for me to make the four hour drive by myself didn't really sound appealing.  I made a play list though of all kinds of Christian music on my Ipad and plugged it in, turned up the tunes and had me some church in the car while cruising up Hwy 71.  It was so good to be able to turn up the radio as loud as I wanted and sing at the top of my lungs where no one would hear me.  Cheap therapy, is what I call that! 

I went straight to the church where Tanner had been hanging out with Mom, helping her out all morning.  It was so good to see my girl.  And to have her hear me come in, get excited and come hug me.  She's my favorite.

While Mom finished out the day at work, Tanner and I went to the Legends and had a blast shopping together.  When that girl is in the mood to shop-watch out.  She will wear.you.OUT!  She was trying on things right and left and even came home with a couple of new school shirts for this fall.  I was able to use all of my gift certificates and got myself a few new things as well.  Such a fun afternoon with my Tanner girl.

Tonight I went with Mom and Dad to my home church and watched Highest Praise from Ozark Christian College perform.  I mainly went because I wanted to hang out with my parents, not so much to see Highest Praise (just being honest).  It was such a good show, but more than that, it was good to be home at Stony Point again.  Growing up, Stony Point was my home away from home.  It's where a lot of my memories were made.  It was my safe spot.  I have so many memories from inside those four walls of that church.  And it was so good to walk in there last night and feel right at home. 

After the performance, I was talking to someone when I heard Mom say "There she is."  I turned around and saw Dave, the Minister.  He gave me the biggest bear hug, took my face in his hands, leaned down and said "Now honey, you've had a lot of stress these last few months.  You've gone through some hard times.  I just want you to know that we're praying for you and for Tanner.  I love you and we're going to keep praying for you.  Remember, God is good."  Cue the tears!!!  Oh my word it was so good to hear those words of encouragement.  God knew exactly what I needed to hear and used Dave Emberson as a vessel to tell me.  I love when God works like that.

Even in the hard times, I know that I've been blessed beyond measure with the family God gave me.  From my Grandparents (sure do miss them) to my Aunts and Uncles, to my parents.  Our family isn't perfect by any means, but we are a tight knit, blessed bunch.  And I'm so thankful for that.  I'm so thankful that I have my parent's house to come home to when times get tough.  I'm so thankful for the hugs that my Momma and Daddy give so freely.  I'm so thankful for the words of encouragement and advice that they give, even if it's not what I want to hear. 

Whoever said "You can't go home" was definitely wrong in my case.

Home is where the heart is.  And home is right where I need to be.