On being grateful and homeless

     On our last day at camp, I confided in another counselor that I wasn't exactly looking forward to heading back to the Bay Area.  I explained that with our house rented out and the boat at the boat yard, we didn't have a place to stay.  I knew that as soon as we had cell service again, I needed to arrange for a hotel.  My friend stared at me and responded, "Don't beat around the bush: you're homeless!"  Huh.  I hadn't though of it that way.
     I found a hotel that met my criteria:  two beds, breakfast, wi-Fi and reasonably close to my work and the day camp the kiddos would be attending.  We and our 10 days worth of filthy clothes and gear checked in at about 10pm.  By the time we were settled, the laundry facility was closed so I woke early to start the first load at 6am.  That at least gave us enough clothes to get through the day.  The next evening, we took over a laundromat to finish the rest. Meanwhile, it appeared it would take longer than expected to get back on the boat: mostly due to parts delay.  In the process of asking friends and telling co-workers my story, I found many people willing to provide us shelter.  Just knowing that makes me so grateful.  No one has chided us for not planning well, or called us irresponsible.  They all understand that things do not always happen as you plan or expect.  We are very, very grateful to the friends who have put us up (or put up with us) for the last two and a half weeks.
     We just moved back onto our waterborne home - this time for good. Now it feels as if we have moved: partially unpacked boxes are scattered about and the kids pester their father to put in the divider (they share a berth so we are giving them private space via a heavy cloth divider) so they can unpack and organize their things.  David was busy yesterday building and affixing a cabinet of sorts in our berth so we can organize our clothes and other stuff.   I am trying to organize the kitchen and living area in  a logical fashion.  This means ensuring that common items can be easily reached.  Items not used daily will require moving other things to get to them.  The boat has lots of storage, but that's not to say it is all readily accessible.  It is good to be 'feathering the nest' on the boat.  I am grateful to be able to do so - I have a home.  Regardless of the stresses, I am still employed, my family has a home and food and the kids are enrolled in school (at least until we leave - then we homeschool).  All is well, safely rest.  God is nigh.