The One With the Homesickness

Have been pondering a lot over the word "home" these days. 

Not helpful, considering I am very much homesick and missing Sydney so much it hurts. The funny thing is, my dad sort-of 'overheard' my Skype convo with a friend regarding how homesick I am and  said "But you are home?"

Am I?

Let's start with what I describe at home:


Home is a place where you can be silly and people around you will laugh with you, not at you.
Home is the one certain place where everything else is uncertain
Home is where the food is. Food for your tummy, food for your soul, food for your spirit.
Home is where you get free, no-strings-attached, definitely-not-trying-to-grab-your-backside hugs.
Home is where your favorite people resides
Home is where you yell at each other, cry, be honest and love each other fiercely no matter what happens.
Home is where the heart is.
Home is where you are not only accepted, but cherished.
Home is where you belong.
Growing up, I don't fit in. Literally. I was tall, big and tanned (I love to swim) while all my friend are petite and they are so white they almost see-through. I love reading and always burying my head in library during lunch time. I don't fit in my extended family as well for more or less the same reason. They always say that I am the smart one. The others are the pretty ones (and I want to be pretty, not smart. Yes I'm shallow whatever :p).

The first time I remember feeling that I belong. It was in a youth group. I will never forgot my youth leader. She always had her house open for us if we need a cooling down time from our life. She prays. Fervently. I remembered that every time I stayed at her house around 4 am I will always hear her praying in her room. For our nation. For our youth group. For us. Strangely, I was never cranky being woken up at 4 am in her house (I'm a morning thunderstorm and sunny afternoons kind of person). 

I was and am still homesick. But at least I have experienced home. And even if I can't stay in Sydney, I know that God is my home. Where He reside, I belong. Hence the reason why I am IN LOVE with church as well :)

 I was wondering how many people who have never experienced home and how are they missing out. I have experienced something that is too precious not to be shared.... I wanna built a home for people who are homesick. I wanna be the kind of people where others find sanctuary in them. 

I know it's a big dream. And I might never get there. But for a starter: Free hugs, anyone?