A Day in Memory Lane...

If someone were to write the story of my life....so many chapters would be devoted to this place. So many important things in my life happened in this spot :) My Daddy was the pastor to this church for over 30 yrs. The church has decided to move locations and had one last meeting here this weekend. I wanted to get up early this morning and get there before any of the congregation and sit and listen to my memories and take some pictures of what has been important to me. It is so strange the things that reveal themself as being important. I could see sweet men and women who have gone on to be with the Lord who had been kind to me... I could hear encouraging words from so many who have loved me, childhood friends who were now moms and dads... and love lost.. It is rare in this day and time to have people in your life who truly hold your history. I am so blessed to have people from this place who know my whole life.. What a gift it is to be attached and have truly close hearts with people who just LOVE. During the good and the hard times of life ! YEY!!! I didn't relaize just how much I needed to connect with sweet souls who remember me singing as a child..... or sitting in my daddy's lap and following him around... or rocking my babies on those benches.... or just sitting and playing as a child. There is stability and security in that. So much of life changes and it can be so crazy we all need the things that ground us and this is one of those places for me... Some of you may remember the series I did this summer on Church Doors.... Well here is another set :) I have walked thru those doors so many times and found peace. Today was NO different. So here is a little window into my past and present...

My parents have just come back to the Unites States after living in the Philippines for 8 years.. I got to visit one time but missed them very much !! They have adopted many many precious children and when they went away they brought back some treasures !!! They share my last name and I am very proud to call them my brothers and sisters !! There are many more and I am excited now that they are finally home to go and take MANY MANY pictures of them ! Here are the youngest 5... Rayah....

Angel...

Robert....

John Mark....

Ia.... I have to tell you a story about Ia.. When I went to the Philippines.. Ia was really small and reminded me so much of me. I was a complete Daddy's girl as a teeny weeny little girl. I can remember sitting under his desk while he was reading and smelling the books and hearing him whistle just to be near where he was. I got to the Philippines and so many years later my Daddy had the same routine and as a grown up woman I had not had the opportunity to wake up in my daddy's house and experience the routines. This was a special morning... I go to my daddy's study and there he is reading his books and that ever so familiar smell of books and smart things were going on :) and guess who was under the desk... She had her tiny book and curled up at his feet was Ia. I left that trip feeling that I was leaving a peice of me with him who loved him just like me... It still makes me happy knowing Momma and Daddy still hear the pitter patter of little feet and more children are recieving good things. This may have been more than you had planned to read on my blog tonight... It has been a sweet day !