Going Home...

I think there's a saying somewhere, "You can't go home again..." or something to that effect. Well, I went "home" this weekend...at least to a place that I called home for 20 years. My dad was a pastor my whole life and he pastored the same church for 19 years, which is pretty unusual. This church is very near where Mark and I pastor now, but I rarely make it up there. They've struggled some for a couple of years and honestly, I haven't wanted to go back because it made me sad and no longer felt like "home". But, this weekend, they installed a new pastor and this new pastor asked my parents to come back and pray a prayer of blessing over them as they embark on this new journey. I thought that was a very nice request and so did my parents and they flew up for the weekend. We, of course, had church at SFC on Sunday morning, but we got finished a little early so Mark, the kids and I headed up the freeway a few exits and snuck in the back...after depositing the kids in the nursery, of course. I was immediately greeted by the Brumptons...wonderful people, Jean made baby blankets for both of my kids when they were born. As I sat down and looked around the congregation, I saw some new faces...I didn't know the man sitting next to me or the people directly in front of us...but, then I spotted Cheryl who was my best friend from fourth grade...through most of my school years, she was a bridesmaid in our wedding - I haven't talked to her in at least two years, she lives in Lynnwood. (I'm a horrible friend). Then across the sanctuary, I saw Cinda...my singing buddy. She started coming to our church after I returned from college - that girl can sing and I loved singing with her! Her kids have grown by leaps and bounds - I haven't seen her for a few years either. I saw former Sunday School teachers, Caravan leaders, Youth sponsors and prayer partners.

I saw a few people that I could have done without seeing...when you're father is a pastor - there are some hurts that happen - its funny how time and distance heals some of those things, but not all of them. Also, isn't funny how the people you would rather not talk to want to talk you're ear off while you're trying to get to the friends you really want to see??? There were so many friends to catch up with and not enough time for all of the greetings. We greeted the new pastor, told him we're just down the freeway a few exits...then we had to leave. It was kind of sad because there were so many that I didn't get a chance to catch up with. We got in the car and Mark said, "You are their princess..." He was, of course, joking...but, no matter where I go and no matter how much I love our church now and the people who are now a part of my church community....that place will always be "home" in some sense. Those are the people who loved me through the difficult years, and some of them were pretty difficult...and they did love me through them. I am so blessed, as a pastor's daughter, to have come through the whole experience unscathed...A lot of which I attribute to my parents, but those people get a lot of the credit too. I still love the church, I love being a pastor's wife (most of the time) and they were all a part of my experience. So, I guess what I am saying is that you CAN go home again!

PS - on the diet front...still going strong. Four weeks without cheating. I actually didn't lose anymore pounds this week, down 13 total, BUT I'm down 12.5 inches total! And, I'm expecting my "Aunt Flo" this week, if you know what i mean...