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.