The little compass on the letterbox site tells us we are over 2000 miles (as the crow flies) from our home in Tennessee. We are also three time zones away. But we are also far from home in another way. The Christian knows that his true home is in heaven and that we are already “seated with Christ in the heavenlies” (Ephesians 2:6). No matter how cocooned we are in our own little space, no matter how many friends and family members surround us, there is still the awareness that we are still “far from home.” And no matter how much we are awed by the wonders of creation, we are still aware that there are a new heavens and a new earth coming, that will outshine this cosmos as the sun outshines the flame of a candle. We are also “between ministries” right now, and are asking the Lord what is next. But after following His guidance all our lives, we are at peace knowing that He knows what is next and will show us that plan in His own time.

We chatted with Nette for a few minutes after she told us about panning for gold and after she sang this song for us. She is a pastor’s daughter who has been through her share of heartaches, but we found her to be very much at peace and happy with her job at the fort. When she was in college, her parents said to her, “So you’re majoring in theatre and horticulture? How will you get a job with that?” And now she has an enjoyable job using just those skills, as she works at the fort in reenactments and in managing the garden and farm area of the fort. Meeting her was a delightful part of our visit.