Where are you from?

As many of you know, I really dislike that question. Even though I ask it too. My most common responses to it (depending on the situation) are: Heaven, A little of everywhere, and The United States (all of them). Occasionally I tell people North Carolina (which doesn't satisfy much, since I cannot then name a specific town) or the place I'm currently living. Sigh. Where am I from? My Mother and Father's home. And, besides Heaven, that's about it.
Well, at transient times like recently it's only more difficult. (and I seem to have had lots of transient times in the past few years, law school especially).
In the past 6 Sundays I have been to 6 different wards (okay, one was a branch). Today was the first repeat state (so 5 weeks, 5 wards, 5 states), and it was still a different stake (which is saying something in this part of the world). I've stayed in as many places and even spent some quality time in my car. But, the churches stick out, because, I've realized again that regardless of where I'm going to church and whether or not I know anyone--I feel at home there. Totally and completely at home. I belong there, I know what's going on, I speak the language, I have the books, I know the songs, I feel the Spirit, I renew the same covenants. I feel AT HOME. It's a truly, truly wonderful feeling. And I'm grateful for that. I feel for those who are new members and don't feel at home and hope they will soon. As for me, it's a wonderful thing to have somewhere that feels like I belong there. All my life it's been important to me, because it's been the one stable thing outside of my home. Oh yes, we've attended congregations of hugely varying sizes with a large range of strange customs. But all in all, it's the same. Just today I was looking at my h.s. yearbook. I was already planning on writing this post, mind you. And I found this. I was an outstanding senior and I got to give some advice. Here's the close of mine: "Trust in the Lord and stay close to your family--they're the only things that last forever." Still true.

Final thoughts. The ward I went to today. I requested membership records be sent. Hoorah for a ward! I may even get some kind of responsibility, because the first counselor knows my family very well and me some. He was a high councilor (in a different area) when I reported from my mission. Anyway, the ward was super friendly. They went out of their way to learn my name, come talk to me, etc. I felt welcomed. Also, they were impressively reverent. When I got there at 10 'til I thought lds.org was wrong and they had a different start time. The chapel was full and people were quiet. Nope, not wrong time, just families ready to receive revelation. And the sacrament. Even more impressive. There were a few children making noises, which is fine and normal. But there were lots of children in that congregation. Two or 3 making noises, wow. It was just great.