Life is a journey.
Always taking the scenic route--and sewing along the way
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Mahanaim
From my front window in Colorado
Mahanaim--it's a Hebrew word meaning Double Camp. What a journey I've traveled since this word, Mahanaim, came my way! This is a long blog, I know; and I have no idea if anyone will take the time to read it. However, I do need to write it.
From my front window in UB, Mongolia
A year ago I was agonizing over what I should do with myself and where in the world I should do it. I was frustrated. I am a nester at heart. My home in Colorado was soon to be empty what with my daughter and family moving into their own place and my husband was/is happily consumed with his work in Mongolia. Barb, a dear Aussie sister in Mongolia, looked at me during a verbal spew and said, "Well, it sounds like you just need to make two homes." Stunned silence. Of course! Bless you, Barb, wherever you are. Days later, I came across Mahanaim in Gen 32:2 --it seemed to reinforce Barb's counsel. Now, I am basically an either/or - all/or nothing person, so this idea was appealing yet scary. How God has stretched me way beyond this kind of thinking!
So, last summer I set to updating the house in Colorado. It was very consuming, very challenging; and very, very good for me in so many ways. After some furniture and belongings returned from Mongolia, I was on a plane back to Mongolia. Hmm. It seemed to be a law of nature that wherever my stuff was, I was somewhere else.
Fast forward to January, 2011. I am HOME. I'll still be doing lots of travel to meet up with Randy in Mongolia and other places, but my base will be here in Colorado. ...and I am enjoying a foretaste of what heaven surely must be in the form of home.
Is it the Stuff? Yes, but only in that there are so many memories and so much good family history in the things that have survived my many purges of the last 7 years. Before I went to Mongolia, I had accumulated waaay too much Stuff. Now what is left is Meaningful and/or Useful --or simply Beautiful--and I am enjoying it all with a grateful heart. Stuff is only important because of the people dear to us, past and present, who have used and enjoyed it--and continue to do so. I love it when my grandchildren make themselves at home here and that they are making memories here, too.
4 generations of Myers have been rocked in this chair :) The little table was brought from Japan by my Aunt in the 1950's
My Home and Heart now seem to reflect many places but especially the US and Mongolia. But you know what? Ultimately, my dwelling place is in the Lord--and I believe that He puts the longing for home in our hearts, wanting us to realize that our hearts are only at home in Him.
LORD, You have been our dwelling place
for all generations.
Ps 90:1
So, I am living in Mahanaim. In December we took a 2-week trip to Israel; and lo and behold, Mahanaim was mentioned in the guidebook--it's actually a place on the map! It was a reminder and confirmation to me. My home is certainly in 2 places; UB and Colorado. With lots of travel to places in between. I hope you will stay tuned for updates along the Scenic Route that God is guiding me along.
Last spring I chucked my 20-year-old bathrobe, giving me no choice but to replace it come winter. Granted, I never took it to Mongolia, so it only got worn when I was home in the US. But still. For summer I made several light weight robes, but I knew I liked the style of my old RTW one. When I saw reviews for Vogue 9232--on PR (all 3 of them), I knew I'd found my pattern. Interestingly enough, the pattern is actually for a caftan-type dress; but all 3 reviews were done up as a robe. Sham's review in particular had great tips. On a trip to Colorado Fabrics in early summer I spotted a beeeuuutiful pink sweatshirt type fabric. The outside is more like a thick knit and inside is dreamy soft. And it's baby pink! Which is hard to tell in the pics as we in Colorado have had lots of rain and no sunshine. And OK, I'm no photographer. But seriously, this is like stepping into a pink cloud. ...
I know this is a few days late, but we've been out of power for about 48 hours . Another story, another time. Anyway, holidays as we know them are a real challenge here. We did manage to go over to the Grand Khaan Irish Pub (remember, I do not make this stuff up) for a pint of Guinness (OK, it's watery Guinness out of China, but the sentiment is there as you can see :) and some Chinese stir fry. You see, their power was out, too, so the the grill was down but the wok was up. The place was packed and when the power did flash back on now and then, the Irish Rovers were a playin '. My first response to the 2nd picture was " Agghh ! I look 110 years old!" Randy reminded me that he took this on his cell phone. Hmm ... The 1st picture is of my first homemade corned beef!!! My dear friend, Beverly, shared her recipe (and her corned beef!) with my Bible study group 2 years ago. It turned out stellar! I have a handful of ladies of a Certain Age that inspire me and...
Almost a month ago I signed up for a 3-month membership at a local Dahn yoga center--and I have to say it has been life changing! Seeking to conquer my constant heart palpitations and gain lots more flexibility in ever creakier joints and muscles, I am constantly surprised--and delighted--to find it a profoundly spiritual experience. Not in a zen way, no Hindu gods invoked--but lots & lots of Jesus. I have found this stage of life to be an intersection where my spiritual life & emotions collided head on with my body. Things that for years I could sweep under the rug or just push through (ok, and blame others, hold grudges, lash out, etc., etc., yuk & yikes); well, my body would no longer tolerate it. Results: constant heart palpitations, sleep issues, anger/depression, etc. God used the hormonal stew of this life stage to bring me to a Ground Zero of sorts--what a journey it has been! My trip to Cambodia was the beginning of Change; it rebooted my decision-making p...
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