On the way to the airport at 0-dark-30 this morning, I realized I 
had not ridden in a vehicle on Thursday, Friday or Saturday. All I rode was our couch for the long holiday weekend. It’s true what they say: Diligence brings fruit in the long run, but laziness always pays off now. I think that’s a corollary to my brother-in-law Gary’s famous dictum: Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is take a nap. Yes, it was a good Thanksgiving.
Ann has kept a family Thanksgiving Journal since 1990. Each year on the fourth Thursday, no matter where we are, she pulls it out. Our family leisurely reflects on God’s goodness to us over the past 12 months and we fill a few pages with praises. We also review previous years’ entries which never fails to surface laughter and stories. Like one of Amy’s earliest entries: “Raisins.”
Last year Ann made one request as I began searching for a place to live: “Don’t buy us a house, buy us a home.” Five months into our transition, we can honestly say Orlando has begun to feel like home. We’re thankful to the Lord for his amazing kindness on this journey. Some key elements that help make our house our home include: 
– Sensing God’s presence, peace & favor.
– Having S P A C E to live, host friends, and nap.
– A daily sunrise out our back door that inspires wonder ->.
– Being able to find stuff when we need it.
– Our pictures & personality decorate spaces.
– Shared memories & conversations fill each room.
The Lord provided a guest room in our new home that has encouraged many of these conversations. Since July we’ve hosted both sets of grandparents as well as staff members serving in Australia, East Asia, England, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Senegal and the US. The guest room also provides the perfect hiding place for sleeping off a pecan-pie-topped-with-ice-cream-blood-sugar-dip. Come on over and give it a try.
Lesson: There is no such thing as a bad nap.
One reply on “What Makes A House A Home?”
Ken,
I’m glad you all are feeling settled there and are experiencing the joys of a true home. We too are enjoying the blessing of having more space to host. I never relished the role much before but it’s growing on me here in our new home.