WELCOME HOME

We have all said it before; “It’s nice to get away but there is no place like home!” The greeting, “”Welcome Home” brings a smile to our face following a business trip, a holiday or for the younger set a semester term at school/university. Who welcomes us home? Well it could be members of our family, neighbors or people from our congregation. For Jillian and me the first words of welcome were from the Immigration attendant at the LF Wade International Airport here in Bermuda. We had just returned from holidays in Ontario Canada and Florida; “Welcome back.”

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves celebrating the birthday of Jillian’s mom in Ontario, visiting friends in Cleveland and then of course there was our road trip to Florida. Some day I will tell you about the road trip and I promise you it will be an exciting story and one that we will never forget! Today though I want to tell you about what makes a home so special. Homes are not four walls and a roof that’s a house. A home is so much more. A home is where we hang our hat. A home is where our love ones live or have lived. A home is where the neighbors greet you following vacation saying; “It’s good to see you back.” A home is where you feel most comfortable and where your bed is nothing like those you experienced while on the road. A home is where your family extends beyond the four walls and into the community you call your home church. As I write this I am looking forward to tomorrow when we will have the opportunity to greet our church family and the words; “It’s good to see you back.” You can put a price tag on a house but you can’t put a price tag on a home.

Most of us are blessed with memories of more than one home especially if our families have relocated over the years. When I look back I remember the wonderful homes that I have lived in; West River Station (NS), Havre Boucher (NS)., Oxford Junction (NS), Oxford (NS), New Glasgow (NS), River John (NS), Calgary (Alberta), Barrie (On.), Freeport Grand Bahama, St. Marys (ON.) and now Hamilton Bermuda. As they would rightly say here in Bermuda and in the Bahamas, “I am blessed.” We are all blessed if we are able to recall a house that is truly a home because of the people who make it so special.

Now, I want to tell you just a little about a house in Florida that Jillian and I bought last year. Some day “Lord willing” it will become our new home for at least a part of the year once we retire! The house to become a home is located in the Plantation in Leesburg Florida. We are located about a 45 minute drive north of Orlando. It is located in a lovely neighborhood with wonderful neighbors. When we were there just this past month we discovered what we hope will be our new church home as well. Should you ever be visiting Florida you will be most welcome to visit Solid Rock Evangelical Church located in Leesburg. Solid Rock is a part of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of the US. The folk there are great and the minister Dr. John Lodge will make you feel “right at home.” Presently the church is meeting in the community centre located on Dixie Road in Leesburg.

Our home at present is in Bermuda and you will always be welcome there as well as at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church Hamilton. God bless and it is good to be home.



(Rev. John Fraser)