Home Sweet Home - Part 2

One week ago, my parent's home officially sold their home. My definition of home goes way beyond the 4 walls that hold up a roof, but it includes the space inside. Whenever anyone asks me where "home" is, I never know how to answer. I usually say "I'm from all over the place" or "my parents live in Indiana" or turbo-tongue all the places I've lived the past 30 years. If I had to choose where my home is, California feels most like home out of anywhere that I've lived but my family - Getz's and Diaz's - will always BE my home.Since my parents informed us of their move, I've been thinking about the significance of HOME in relationship to our little ones. Their home will always be Ethiopia, but it will also be wherever Brian and I are with them. I've often prayed for the monumental transition they will face in location, parents, health, culture, and language. I've wondered how their little bodies and souls will fare the change in "home". In the midst of my questions and motherly fears, I trust their Father is caring for them more than I ever will.
Ultimately, this world is not our home. My dad's said that to me countless times. And he's right [no gloating here, pops!]. Maybe when people ask me where I'm from and I stumble to find an answer, it's okay. Because this world is not my home, nor is it for our kiddos.

Hope you enjoyed the pics of the backyard my dad painstakingly designed over the past decade. And that's our dog, Lizzie [below], who's the sweetest thing in the world. [She's currently living with my cousin's family while my parents are in a transition apartment.]

Home Sweet Home - Part 1

This week my parents are moving from the house that they've lived in for the past 17 years of my 30 years of life. It was a quick process for them and has required some quick processing on my end, too! A week after they went into escrow, I was able to go home to help my parents pack a few boxes and find some closure from my "childhood" home. While I only lived in this house for 5 years (I moved out in 1997), some major things happened in this address...


All 3 of us kids graduated high school and had our parties in the backyard.

I sat at the kitchen table after high school every day boring my mom with every detail from my high school escapades.

I fell in love with Brian during our senior year of high school.

My baby brother, Drew, now 19, only remembers living in this house. My dad painted the Chief - GO ILLINI! - on his bedroom wall for Christmas one year.

Brian proposed to me in the basement during Christmas, under the lights of the tree.

We had our rehearsal dinner in the backyard with our friends and family supporting our wedding vows.

I have countless memories in my bedroom!

...plus scores of birthday parties, Christmas celebrations, movie nights, sleepovers, and I'm sure a few bad events, too. :)

But while I was packing boxes, reminiscing with my family, and recalling precious memories from 810 Glen Eagle Lane, I realized in a whole new way that home is where the heart is. Home is a place of love, not an address. And a home is family.

Prayer for Orphans

My mom sent me this passage from Psalm 71. I had to read it at 2 different times because of the tears. May this Psalm be a prayer over our babies today and the 143 million orphans globally...

Psalm 71:1-8

O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don’t let me be disgraced.
Save me and rescue me, for you do what is right. Turn your ear to listen to me, and set me free.
Be my rock of safety where I can always hide. Give the order to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.
My God, rescue me from the power of the wicked, from the clutches of cruel oppressors.
O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood.
Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you!
My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection.
That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long.