Put Up Curtains

I was right, Austin was hard to leave.
again, partly because the city is just so stinkin cool. But the reason I continue to do, or not do most things, is due to the relational aspect. That is what has stuck out to me during the trip thus far. Yes, I have a wild spirit. yes, I crave and yearn for adventure. yes, I love new experiences. But at the end of the day, I love havin people around me that really know me. Lanae and Katie, the girls I'm staying with in Austin have made it so easy to feel known and understood...thus have made it incredibly difficult to leave.
At first I criticized myself for wanting to stay here (or even go back home). "kate, you're weak" "what a weeny!" lol...but now I only see it as a testament of how relational God is and how he created us to be the same way. The fact that amidst the fun and new I don't forget the old and mundane is somewhat remarkable. It's almost frustrating. My biggest critic (myself) screams: "This is an experience of a lifetime and you wanna go home?!?
It kinda reminds me of a sermon I heard a few years back...I wish I could tell you with exact certainty who gave it or at what church [I'm pretty sure it was Richard Dahlstrom (is it bad to have a married man crush on your pastor?!?) from Bethany Community] but I'll admit I only remember this one message and image: The pastor talked about this idea of moving into a neighborhood and making it home. He implored: It's not EVER temporary. you are where you are while you are there....so BE THERE! the illustration given was of those people who move to a city and because they say its temporary  they still, after months of being there, have stuff wrapped in boxes and they refuse to put money into the place because they wont be there long, and trimmings like curtains...you can forget about it!
So while I love that I have this haunting to explore and risk and adventure...I'm also going to embrace and love the aspects of myself that say "kate, put up some curtains." Not that I believe there is a right and wrong way of doing things, but I believe God gets great joy out of watching people put down roots and growing them deep.