Ryan & Jordan

with Pioneer Bible Translators

Tag: home for Christmas

the pilgrims went to the east coast

by ryan

A long time ago in a galaxy–this galaxy–pilgrims traveled across the Big Pond to the East Coast.  They had hard times.  And so have we, even if they are smaller.

Milky_Way_Arch

But we all have reasons to be thankful too.  Yesterday we missed being with most of our family.  We missed our parents, our brothers & sisters and their families, our grandparents, our aunts and uncles, and our cousins and their families.  But we had each other and friends–who are family in a way.  And we’re thankful for that.

And we’re thankful for the prospect of being home for Christmas.  If we were trees, family would be our roots and maybe our sun and rain too.  And so thinking about seeing them makes everything brighter.

East Baker Lake June 2013 044

However, before it gets too sunny I need to tell you about the Big L we have to do.  I know what you’re thinking: “Oh no!  The Big L . . .” No, you are probably thinking about losing or leagues, or maybe you are confused so you’re skipping down below to figure out just what the Big L is all about.  Sorry to disappoint you, but it is not a dance.  The Big L is Down & Right, or if you prefer, South & East.

USA-satelliteO

December 13 we head Down to Southern California from Up Here in the Great White North.   Then we take a Left and go Right–I’ve heard it both ways–and go East toward Western Europe.  Directions can be hard sometimes.  Being thankful can be easy sometimes.

Going South

by Jordee

In my mind I’m goin’ to Carolina…

James Taylor rings in my head every so often, particularly around Christmas and the start of summer. We’ll be going to Carolina again soon, and the feelings haven’t changed much since the first time I left home.

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A lot of our lives will be spent traveling, meeting new people, learning new languages and cultures, and I wouldn’t trade any of it. But there is something consistently comforting about going back to where I grew up–like being invited inside out of the cold, and being wrapped in a warm blanket. The accent, the food, the hugs, the complete familiarity and the sense that not much as changed–it doesn’t get old when you are away so frequently.

Sure, I romanticize it a bit, but I also embrace my roots in a geographical place that is still so close to my heart. This time I’ll be returning with Ryan, which makes it that much sweeter. Home is where he is now, and where our Father is. And this time, home will be right near where it was for eighteen years.