As the plane took off I felt the all too familiar feeling that I was leaving those I love behind. I did all I could to hold back the tears. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I remember this same feeling not so long ago, after only just getting to know our daughter, Hope. Robert and I boarded a plane back home, taking us across the wide world, leaving her behind. At that time, we were not certain when we would return to Bulgaria on our second trip to bring Hope home. We had to release any hold we had and surrender our daughter into the loving care of the One who is so much greater than our own understanding. We had to trust that she was safe and secure in our Father\u2019s hands and that He would indeed bring her home to us.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The beginning of April during Spring break, I had the pleasure of accompanying my youngest brother on a once in a lifetime adventure! Him and his family are moving to Ohio and he asked me to travel with him and his family pets (two rabbits and a dog) by car across the United States. His family took the train ahead of him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We set off early on a Monday morning and drove the longest stretch from California through Nevada, finally staying in Salt Lake City, Utah. On Tuesday we traveled to Cheyenne, Wyoming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Wednesday we drove to Omaha, Nebraska. Then on Thursday we made our way through Iowa and Illinois, crossing the border into Merrillville, Indiana. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Friday, we took a much need break and had the amazing opportunity to drive into Chicago. There we soaked in the view of the skyline and stopped for the BEST PIZZA EVER\u2014Chicago Deep Dish! Nothing can compare. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Saturday morning, we set off for the last leg of our adventure. Tired and a bit weary from the many miles of driving and staying in hotels mainly to sleep. Yet also feeling hopeful and excited to finally be reaching the place that my brother would now call home. His family waiting with anticipation, arms and hearts wide open to welcome us in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By that evening we had arrived at our final distinction, Ohio. The place that I hope and pray my brother and his family can call home. A safe and secure place where their roots can settle deep and their hearts can find the security of a love that will always welcome them in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the road, my brother and I saw many beautiful and interesting sites. The grander of the mountains, the great expanse of wide open spaces and the landscape drastically changing from state to state. We shared stories and reminisced over childhood memories. We talked about everything under the sun. My heart is full, as it was such a gift to have this quality and quantity time with my brother. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The last few days of my trip , I enjoyed some hang out time with my niece, nephews, sister-in-law and brother. We had many laughs and special moments together. I was able to do a little house hunting with them and see some of the places that will make up the landscape of their new home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I will treasure these special memories always. Yet it was bittersweet to travel the long distance that will now separate our family from theirs. Each mile we journeyed, taking us further from the place we\u2019ve always called home. Each leg of the journey, my heart having to slowly let go. Little by little, releasing my brother and his family into the hands of the God who calls them by name and has numbered each hair on their heads. The God who loves and cares for them far more than I can wrap my mind and heart around. His love knowing no bounds, traveling to the farthest reaches to bring His children home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I flew across the wide expanse of our country back to California, I allowed myself to let go while simultaneously reaching out for more. With tender kindness, I was held in the balance, joy and sorrow only opposite sides of the same coin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My heart ached for those I had left behind yet I longed for home. I missed Robert and the kids and couldn\u2019t wait to hug them all. I craved the familiarity and comfort that only home can bring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even more so, a greater longing stirs within me, a deep rooted desire that even my earthly home cannot fulfill. My heart aches and longs for an eternal home. A home where my soul  settles in and roots deep and my heart finds the security of a love that will never let me go. A home that is far better than I can fathom this side of eternity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My heart often wanders and God\u2019s presence can feel distant yet He sees me and He knows me. I can come as I am, no matter how weary, broken or battered I may feel. I have nothing to hide, no reason to run. He is patient and so kind. He never stops seeking after me. He is always near, always waiting. His love and delight shining on me. I need only to turn around and there He is, running towards me. His expansive wide-open arms waiting, ready to embrace me and welcome me home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u201cSo the young son set off for home. From a long distance away, his father saw him coming, dressed as a beggar, and great compassion swelled up in his heart for his son who was returning home. The father raced out to meet him, swept him up in his arms, hugged him dearly, and kissed him over and over with tender love.\u201d Luke\u202c \u202d15:20\u202c \u202dTPT\u202c\u202c<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cLife takes you to unexpected places, love brings you home.\u201d-Melissa McClone As the plane took off I felt the all too familiar feeling that I was leaving those I love behind. I did all I could to hold back the tears.  I remember this same feeling not so long ago, after only just getting to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2017,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"footnotes":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[6,7],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.magnoliaheart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/IMG_0355-rotated.jpg?fit=480%2C640&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2YMk4-wb","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.magnoliaheart.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1995"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.magnoliaheart.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.magnoliaheart.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.magnoliaheart.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.magnoliaheart.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1995"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.magnoliaheart.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1995\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2019,"href":"https:\/\/www.magnoliaheart.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1995\/revisions\/2019"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.magnoliaheart.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2017"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.magnoliaheart.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1995"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.magnoliaheart.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1995"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.magnoliaheart.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1995"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}