Moving is one of the three most stressful things to do, and in the last 18 months there have been two household moves in my life. The first move was to what I thought would be my forever home. On a small lake in Western North Daktoa. Living there was a significant joy and brought so much peace to the life of my family. (Picture below) The second move was accross the country to Panama City, Florida less that 10 months after moving into that dream. All total, we have moved three times in four years. Twice accross the country.

The journey walk, has a funny way of teaching us new things. Expectations about life or how we want it to go, can and will be, casually intrupted by many other forces; employment, health, relationships, money, and calling. Will all know this. Transitions are simply part of the journey walking experience, but how do we know when we are settled into what has come next? How do we know when it is OK to breath again, instead of anticipating the possiblity of another transtion?

For me, a person that has moved by leaps and bounds due the obligations of military sponsers, setteling in and fining a rhythm in a new land, always shows up right around Christmas. To fill your new home with the memories and traditions you cherish adds color to the picture, and adding color to the picture – well isn’t that what we want? I know I do. Living bland with no memory makers to fill in the gaps, it is like a coloring book that is missing the scribbles of life from an enthusitic toddler with her first set of crayolas.

So don’t forget to make the memories that cause you to laugh and smile. Don’t forget to share the joy of your family stories through traditions and cultural memories. When we do this, we know we have setteled in, finding our roots in a new land.

Question for reflecttion: If you could add one new joyful memory to your life today, what would you do or say? Who would you visit? How would you share in life?