| Empty Nest | | | | proved "empty nest" not to be meaningless, but |
| After over twenty years of hugging; laughing; | | | | full of meaning, of increased purpose. |
| attending church; doing homework; going to | | | | When I look at the children, I see an on-going |
| gymnastics, horse, and piano lessons; volunteering; | | | | expanse. I have never missed their younger |
| working on the farm together; getting through | | | | years, because the essence of every day of their |
| the tough times; canning fruit;... the children were | | | | lives is still vibrant. The innocence of their |
| gone. Undoubtedly, a big change was in the air. I | | | | babyhood, the peacefulness, receptivity, and joy |
| can't even cook for less than 4 people! And sure | | | | has expanded with the changes. Growth includes |
| enough, the presence of God and His extended | | | | all those qualities plus maturity, creativity, wisdom, |
| family became more real, more tangible and | | | | strength, purpose, and so on. I attribute this |
| inspiring. | | | | spiritual, and healing, understanding to what Christ |
| | | | Jesus taught, "You are the light of the world. A |
| We lived and worked on our apple and cherry | | | | city set on a hill cannot be hidden...Let your light |
| orchard. The farm was a haven, providing | | | | shine before men in such a way that they may |
| successful therapy for the foster children. | | | | see your good works, and glorify your father |
| Two years ago, the girls were away at college | | | | who is in heaven." (Matt. 5:14 16) |
| and Bryan (who we've practically adopted) was | | | | During this last year, we found a plot of land on |
| living with us while he settled securely into college | | | | which to build a house. Three thousand miles |
| life. Admittedly, the farm had served its purpose | | | | away. When we told the girls, they rolled their |
| and because God's purpose expands, instead of | | | | eyes and smiled. Bryan had skepticism, but he |
| diminishes; it felt natural to make a change. We let | | | | made great effort to trust that we will not leave |
| our foster license expire and we put the farm up | | | | him. To top it off, my husband and I decided to |
| for sell. The orchard sold in five days. | | | | sell everything and drive our motorcycles three |
| What to do now? | | | | thousand miles to our new hill. |
| Pray. | | | | We arrived here a few months ago. The |
| We had become fairly efficient at changing for | | | | motorcycle trip was indescribably perfect. We are |
| the better concerning the household and children, | | | | now renting a house until the new house is |
| but now we basically had no house and no | | | | complete. We have great neighbors. We have |
| children! Or so it seemed. Thankfully, prayer | | | | visited some wonderful churches. We have jobs. |
| effectively reveals what is beyond the seeming. | | | | Our daughters have both visited and love it. Bryan |
| We still had children. And, the buyer of the | | | | has a plane ticket to come visit when his fall |
| orchard was generous, permitting us to live in the | | | | college quarter is finished. |
| house. Of course, the buyer knew we would not | | | | The culture is different, but it encourages a sense |
| take advantage of his generosity, so we began | | | | of grace. God has provided the strength to adjust |
| seriously looking for another house. | | | | appropriately when a glitch presents itself. We |
| We looked at many houses to buy. We looked at | | | | need to keep praying. However, this particular |
| many places to live. Nothing clicked. | | | | change affirms that the world is small. Not |
| Finally, we signed a rental lease in the city where | | | | unimportant small, but available, accessible. God's |
| our youngest daughter was finishing her last year | | | | world is full of beauty and opportunity. God's nest, |
| of college. We picked up short term jobs, met | | | | and the light of it, is happy, prominent, touching, |
| wonderful people, and visited different churches. | | | | radiant, healing, and inclusive. Our family is big. Light |
| Our oldest daughter visited from California. | | | | is everywhere; the light of compassion, |
| Fortunately, the rental house was only a few | | | | responsibility, and courage, all of which direct |
| hours away from where we previously lived, | | | | thought to glorify our Father-Mother God, Love. |
| making it easier to visit Bryan. This last year | | | | |