Faith in Life

Without going into details, we/I have been recently attending church in the nearby bigger town. This is the same type of Christian Church I grew up in. It has been a blessing. Many things have been so similar that it has made me cry with sentiment. Communion has been one thing. Then yesterday, I was singing harmony on some of the hymns, and I can't do that without thinking of Dad, as he was always singing tenor/harmony on the hymns in church, as we stood or sat together in the pew. It's in my mind's ear yet to hear him singing along on hymns. So that made me all sentimental again, but happy at the same time, because there are SO MANY wonderful memories of growing up in a faithful family. Grandmas, aunts, uncles, cousins, so many of them attended there also. There was a lot of musical involvement. Grandma W. played piano for Sunday School for years and years. Mom played for church for years and years, and some Sunday School. Aunt F. played the organ for years and years until she couldn't any longer. Dad and his brothers sang. One uncle played the guitar and sang. I ended up playing for Sunday School and church a lot, and also enjoyed singing. Now they're all passed on, miss them so much. It's been a real adjustment to go on through life in other places and other churches. But I'm just saying that this church here right now, is a blessing to help me feel "at home" somewhat, instead of at loose ends in the world. Love the Bible teaching in Sunday School and church, and the people have been great. Of course the main thing that provides an "anchor," and stability, is faith itself. We as believers in Jesus Christ are all united in one body. We are not going it alone. Even though I'm away from "home" with lots of stresses going on, I'm glad for the heritage of faith in my family from my earlier days, even though I fully understand that each person has to decide for themself whether to choose salvation. I pray all do. Anyway, here are some fun "memories" of family and church of earlier times in my hometown, though that's just a scratch on the surface. Tons of stuff come to mind if I just stop and think. And not just my related family, but everyone else as well, there are so many loved ones that I have fond, fond memories of. Many have gone on, and they are sure missed. But so thankful to still keep in touch with many dear ones there now - there's plenty to be thankful for in the present, as we all keep on going on this road of FAITH.

The church I grew up in, that was built when I was around 4 or 5 years old.

Some of Mom's hand-written notes in the margins of her Bible. I've added many of my own, usually cross-references of a related verse somewhere else.

The back of Mom's Bible, it's completely away from the binding, so it's imperative to carry it around in the zippered Bible cover! "A Bible that's falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn't." Well, I threaten to "fall apart" daily, but YES, God's Word is a major impact in my life to help me along my days.

This isn't at church exactly, but I had to include Grandma C.

Grandma W. in the classroom where her ladies' class met.

Grandma W. and her Sunday School class on a "Pioneer" Sunday. She's in the middle of the group with auburn hair and a pink sleeveless dress. The shortest lady on the front row, holding papers and a dark purse, is "Miss Maude," and she was my first Sunday School teacher. I barely remember being in her class a time or two when I was around 3 or 4, maybe? Maud's sister, Mary, is in the top row at the far left. Neither was married, so they lived together in a little old-fashioned house a few blocks from the church.

Hymn books from the church I grew up in. The one on the left is from my younger years. This particular one is a "binder" version Mom had at home to practice with. The one on the right is the next hymnal we had - this particular one was my Grandma W.'s, that she had at home to practice with. It sat on her piano and was well-thumbed-through!

My aunt playing the organ at church.

Mom playing the piano at church.

Dad (far left) and three of his brothers singing in church.