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Tuesday, January 5, 2016

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As we all know, words are powerful. The saying we chanted as children ‘sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me’ just isn’t true. While I do believe we can choose not to be offended, and choose not to lash out, words do hurt. Or lift.

Words have power.

There’s a word I’ve been contemplating lately. Home.  For so simple a word, only four letters, it’s complex and meaningful. I do truly believe that home is where the heart is, and that we can build a ‘home’ anywhere. But it’s nice to have a sanctuary you love, something you’ve created and settled into. A nest of peace and love. We’ve been busy trying to make such a place for ourselves.

You’ve probably noticed I’ve been a little sporadic and distracted this last year. Most of it is because I’ve been working on the word home.  We have a home now. We currently live, all five of us, in a 700 square foot apartment. It’s small and cramped and most of our stuff is in storage. But it’s still a home. We still love and learn here. We’re still filled with peace and joy and family. But I do find myself longing for something different. We’ve purchased some land, 10 acres. We’re in the process of clearing trees so when winter winds down we can build a home of our own. It won’t be big or fancy but it will be ours. We can grow our own food, paint, decorate, and make it ours. We still have a long journey ahead of us but I feel that it’s a word worth working for.

What does the word ‘home’ mean to you?

25 comments:

  1. Spesh,

    Home is definitely my happy place. In adulthood, I have found the peace that was allusive through my younger years. I wish you all of the best on your journey to your new walls, but am so happy to hear that even crammed into a small space, your family is your sanctuary.

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    1. I'm glad it's a peaceful happy place for you.

      Family is always my sanctuary, even if we're cramped and cranky. :)

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  2. Home is what centers me. While my husband and I love to travel, at heart we are "nesters". I'm glad you've found a site that you can turn into the home of your dreams.

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    1. Centers you. I love that. I'm glad nesters can find a way to travel happily. I'm a nester but I do want to see so many places...

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  3. It always seems impossible, until it's done. (Regarding your newly purchased land and house development). I too am living in a small 700 square ft apartment. Always longing for something more permanent. We won't be able to really start searching for that permanent home until 2018 - so we've got some time to save up. I definitely agree that home is where the heart is, it's also the place where you can truly feel welcomed, cozy, and peaceful.

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    1. Welcomed, that's a great way to describe home. I hope that you find your permanent home when the time is right.

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  4. You're right in that it doesn't matter where you hang your hat, as long as you're all together....that's home.

    It sounds like you're in for quite the adventure and I hope you'll bring us along (pics, updates, etc.) for the ride. :)

    Hope you had a great holiday!

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    1. Hey, if you want pictures I can provide. I've been toying with the idea of a post showing all the logs we've been working on. I didn't know if that would be boring.

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  5. CONGRATULATIONS on your new land and prospective home!! Our church theme for the year is Home, too. How interesting you're focusing on the same word. I agree, Home is where my family is. Not just the structure, but us together wherever that may be, is HOME.

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  6. {{{{hugs}}}} for the journey ahead, Sara! Home is where I feel protected and able to express myself. Good building vibes to you all.

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    1. Protected. I think that's a necessary part of a home. Protecting us from the world.

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  7. Congratulations on the land you purchased!I think the process-clearing away trees, building your home, growing food- would be fun to read about here.

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  8. I'm very much a home-body. Home is where I can be 100% me.

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  9. Sara, THAT sounds like a *dream* home to me!!

    Wow, how exciting... and I can totally understand if things take awhile to happen for you, but wow... this is going to be such a fun, family adventure :)

    Best wishes... and keep us all in the loop:)

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    1. It will be, when the home gets completed. Any time yo want to come cut some trees let me know...

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  10. Hi, Sara,

    Happy New Year... Yes, home is where the 'heart" is. And when you build your home it will be wonderful. Just remember to be patient and it will happen. All the best!

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    1. Ah, patience. My nemesis. I've definitely been working on it lately.

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  11. I understand. Twenty-four years ago, we did the same thing. Now I'm wanting to downsize to something much smaller. Ah, the circle of life. Happy New Year, Sara.

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    1. Good luck finding something smaller and continuing to travel the world.

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  12. Building your own place? That sounds awesome. That way you can make it really your own. So long as I have my family, I am home. :)

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  13. Love the idea of building on your own land. I hope you share lots of the process/progress along the way!

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  14. I hope things are going well before spring comes! I love how you worded this: home is so very important!

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