A House vs. A Home

So, it's been awhile since I have blogged.  This "being homeless" thing put a crimp in a lot of plans and perspectives.  I now understand, to a stronger degree, the difference between having a place to live and having a home.  Our two months of living with relatives was a great learning experience.  I can't thank Dave and Cindy enough for providing us with their basement.  The odd thing is, I felt more "at home" there than I ever did living on a campus.  A campus is not a home.  Although I am grateful that we could live on campus while we needed to, it made me realize how relationships make the difference with a home.  Our time with Dave and Cindy provided us with the opportunity to strengthen those relationships.  We experienced wonderful family meals together.  We were able to connect with their children and forge some strong and permanent bonds.  For that, I will be forever thankful.  I actually miss being with them everyday.  Now that we are in our own house, I realize something that we've been missing since we left Wisconsin almost 3 years ago----a place to call home.  This house is our home.  We have our pets.  We have each other.  It may not be a big house or what we were initially looking for but that doesn't matter anymore.  It's my family, including our pets, that make it our home.  God brought us through this experience in order to realize this, and for that , I am thankful.