I woke up this morning in an 8'x 30' space with a cranked neck and sore throat. It was 25 degrees last night in Butte Montana and we're having heating issues with our just purchased (old) motorhome. Every time one of my sons rolls over, our new house shakes. "Earthquake" my Kodiak brain assumes---then I remember where I am. Where we are----On a magical mystery tour of Many Places Around the World for 8 months. We'll be here in this motorhome for 10 weeks before flying overseas. (Will I ever sleep in these 10 weeks?) I have already thought nostalgically of my bed in Kodiak---its comfort, the heating system that always works, the shush of the ocean beneath the windows.

And then this morning my sister-in-law sent me these photos of Harvester Island, the place my heart lives. This is what I'm missing right now on our fish camp island:

I cannot be homesick yet! We've only just started!

We are traveling perhaps 25,000 miles this year. My vagabond soul is happy----but I will pine as well---for the spruce trees, the cold ocean, the whales, the sweet community spirit of Kodiak. But I have learned long ago that when our heart is given to God, we can live in many places. Our feet straddle earth and heaven and everywhere in between. We do not have one home: we have many.

Wherever God's people are: this is home.

The gospel stories and the wild watery world of healings and feasts: this is home.

The islands I live on in Alaska, where God displays His outrageous passion for beauty: this is home.

Wherever my family is: this is home.

Wherever two or three gather to pray and praise God: this is home.

Wherever my eyes and ears are opened and I glimpse the world beyond this one: this is home.

Butte, Montana, where we are about to tour an underground mine: this is home.

Spokane, Washington, where we rode the river currents on paddleboards and sang praises to God in a leaf-blizzard: this is home.

My restless heart has indeed found its rest in God, and He lives everywhere. May I show you what I have seen of Him out on our Alaskan waters? (And Here, finally! is what I and the RIghtNow Media film crew were doing this summer:)

I AM inviting you all to travel. Yes, to travel with me this year, but also, to come to my island through 6 video teaching sessions that also tour us all through the gospels---a destination that can utterly save your life. Meaning---your heart and soul and mind and strength!! (For church or small group or individual use, More info here)

Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit?
to be out of your sight?
If I climb to the sky, you’re there!
If I go underground, you’re there!
If I flew on morning’s wings
to the far western horizon,
You’d find me in a minute—
you’re already there waiting!
Then I said to myself, “Oh, he even sees me in the dark!
At night I’m immersed in the light!”
It’s a fact: darkness isn’t dark to you;
night and day, darkness and light, they’re all the same to you.

---Psalm 139

My wandering soul has found its home in God, and everywhere He is, (everywhere!) thank God---is Home.

Waking Up Sore in Butte, Montana (and my film debut)

Worshipping at the Church for Dogs

Giving Up Your Child (and Measuring Presidential Grief)