"Curtains" by Guest Blogger, Michelle Archer

Have you ever felt like your world is being rocked, that someone is pulling a rug out from under you, and you are struggling just to keep your balance? 

It's May and we are fully in transition mode. We are currently packing boxes, moving things out of the house, emptying rooms, taking down decorations, and making needed repairs to the house before we move out on May 26th. This is all a small part of a change that will quickly get much larger and more complicated. Not only are we packing for Africa, we also have to pack some things to go to France for language school. We also have a few items staying here in the states that would not make it through Africa. When we moved to Virginia 12 years ago it seemed complicated, but now we are moving in essence to three different places at the same time. We are living in chaos.

With every load that is taken out of the house, I am constantly looking at what is left and trying to make the best out of what we still have. I still try to make the house feel like home while I can by moving simple decorations to common areas in the house. One of the ways I have done this is with curtains. The other day I had moved some cheap simple curtains from one room to another  room. Shortly after that my husband, Jonathan, walked into the dining room where I had just re-hung these curtains and said, "Why in the world are you putting up curtains? Everything has to go. No one cares if you decorated today. They are coming over to help paint." In all honesty he was right, no one cares and they all understand that we are moving, packing, and things are a bit crazy.

Life is in transition. So why put up the curtains?

Well, as my rug gets pulled from under me, I can still see my curtains, and I still have a sense of home. I'm learning, we all are learning, to make the best of what you have and to appreciate the riches of Jesus, but that doesn't mean we won't miss our home. We are all learning to make this journey and incredible adventure.

How are we doing this? When Kylie's room was completely emptied, we set up a mirror, pulled out some tutus, and turned it into a dance studio for her and sister Mary. It made it OK to have her things packed away. When Ethan's room cleared out next, we pulled out a few camping items and set up his tent to embrace the adventure.

Transition is tough, but I choose to embrace the old cliche', "Lemons make great lemonade."

God helps us make the best of all the changes, and He constantly reminds me that He will be my home when we have no home. Wherever we may be at any moment, we can make the best of any situation and even "hang up the curtains." 

-Michelle, missionary to Africa

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 Loni Parker, a music major struggling to find employment, seeks refuge at Camp Hope only to encounter the man who took her sight.

On the verge of college graduation, Loni Parker seeks employment as a music teacher, but no one will hire her since she’s blind. Or so she thinks. To take her mind off her troubles, her roommate invites her to spring retreat at Camp Hope in the gorgeous North Carolina mountains. Unbeknown to Loni, Michael Ackerman, the director, is an ex-con responsible for the accident that caused her blindness. When Loni warms up to camp and wants to return as a summer counselor, Michael opposes the idea, which only makes Loni want to prove herself all the more. Though she doesn’t expect to fall for the guy. Still, her need for independence and dream of teaching win out, taking her far away from her beloved Camp Hope . . . and a certain director.

Camp director Michael Ackerman recognizes Lonie instantly and wants to avoid her at all costs. Yet, despite the guilt pushing him from her, a growing attraction draws him to the determined woman. She sees more with her heart than the average person does with his eyes. But her presence also dredges up a long-buried anger toward his alcoholic father that he’d just as soon keep hidden. When circumstances spin out of control, Michael is forced to face a past that may destroy his present.

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