Home Away from Home

The question I have been asked the most in the past three days is, "How was your trip?"  Melanie and I went to spend a week in Arizona which isn't that unusual.  We have made several trips back to Arizona since moving to Reno 3 1/2 years ago.  This one was a little different.  It wasn't a business trip but it also wasn't just for pleasure.  I had been feeling like I had gotton so wrapped up in life and the day to day things you do that I needed an emotional break with people who have known me forever to get a little grounded and refresh my perspective.  To fully understand we have to take a step back to a day in December.......

The old saying, when it rains, it pours could not have been more true than one Monday this past December when it seemed like there was nothing but an endless supply of bad news.  I start every work day bright and early around 5:00.  I am the only one up and I begin my routine of getting ready which includes some quiet time on the couch reading emails, texts, Facebook, etc. and thinking over my day.  As I checked each form of technological communication I learned the following:

1.  A dear friend from high school had been told he was losing his battle with cancer and had less than a year to live.
2.  Another dear friend and pastor who I had worked for was diagnosed with throat and tongue cancer that would probably take his voice for at least the better part of a year and he would be going through major surgery and treatments.
3.  One of the groomsmen from our wedding had lost his wife in a tragic boating accident.
4.  Two of my uncles had lost their mothers (seperate families).

All of this amongst the fact that my own dad was losng his battle with cancer and going through a tough time.  It seemed every email, text, voicemail, etc that I attended to had tragic news that literally left you speechless and just heartbroken for the people so directly effected by it.  I didn't know who to call or email first and whatever do you say.  So I prayed.  I prayed and then shared all of the news with Charles and we went about our day in a stunned and overwhelmed manner.  Aside from praying, my next instinct was that I wanted to be there for these people to offer whatever comfort I could and since several of these circumstances were occuring in Arizona it seemed a trip was fitting but not in God's plan.  As I looked at making arrangements to go it was just not possible with what we had going on here with our own family.  But I have learned over the years (and it was a TOUGH lesson for me) to wait on God's timing so I did. 

Melanie and I were able to make the trip just last week and it was...... blessed.  Like most trips to Arizona it was a whirlwind as there are so many people to see and yet still plan things to keep my preschooler occupied. 

I got to see the dear friend who was told he is losing his battle with cancer.  He is still fighting.  It is heartbreaking to me that he and his family have to go through this and far beyond my comprehension of why things like this happen but being in his home is inspiring and you can't leave without feeling blessed for having been there and shared time with them. 

I got to see my dear friend and pastor who has completed his surgery with AMAZING success and has finished all treatments to keep those nasty cancer germs from popping up somewhere.  While he has some "battle wounds"  he has NOT lost his voice, his ability to eat on his own, or his amazing spirit.  Endless praises to God for how He has seen him through this horrific battle. 

I got to see my aunt and uncle and offer hugs and condolences for their loss in December and really enjoyed a wonderful visit.  Aside from these three very important visits that were so crucial for me because we are often not able to be there for people in the way we want to because of living so far away, we got to visit with many other friends and family members.  Every single day brought visits with people who have been such an important part of my life in one way or another. 

It was also an amazing opportunity to share my life with Melanie as she got to interact with so many people and listen to stories about our experiences together.  She LOVED every minute of it.  She misses her new Arizona friends and in her own words as we walked through the Phoenix Airport to get on our plane to come home she said, "Momma, I like Arizona, it's a pretty special place."  Yes it is.....it will always be our home away from home and where part of our heart lives.  Thank you to everyone who made our trip so special.  Thank you for letting us visit you and make memories with you.  Thank you for being blessings in our lives!