News From The Nest

Sanctuary

I grew up in Danville, Virginia and was raised in the Methodist church. I was there every Sunday morning unless there was some VERY good reason that I wasn't. Right there near the front on the left side. As a child, of course I didn't fully appreciate the church or my freedom to be sitting there. My mind wandered - I remember looking at those large wooden light fixtures suspended from the ceiling and and then following their paths if they were to fall. I used to draw on the cards in the backs of the pews. Yes, my mind would wander. But, I was there. Absorbing what the church had to offer me.

In my opnion, there's nothing quite like your home church. No matter how far you roam or how many churches you attend, there's always a tie that binds you to your home church. 

Mount Vernon United Methodist Church in Danville is my home church. I had the chance to visit it again in all its beauty when I attend my uncle's funeral earlier this month. 

Mount Vernon is also my mother's home church. She grew up on West Main Street in Danville and used to walk down the street to church. Mt. Vernon is situated at the point - the triangle - where Main, West Main, and South Main streets meet. Mom and Daddy were
married in this church in 1950. 

Well over 100 years old, Mt. Vernon's sanctuary imparts
all that the definition of the word implies. Sacred place. Refuge. A place of peace. The peace that Mount Vernon's sanctuary offers hovers around you as you sit quietly. It's almost as if the interior air is alive and breathing with you. It meets you when you enter just waiting to cloak you in peace
and calm.

I have yet to find a church sanctuary more beautiful or more compelling that Mt. Vernon's. The reason for this is in large part due to the extraordinary stained glass windows. They are perfectly gorgeous. To gaze up at them is just something I can't describe. Their colors. Their themes. They have such a presence in this spiritual place - this sanctuary.

Each of the windows has its own meaning associated with scripture or happenings in the Bible. In my readings trying to prepare for this post, I couldn't find dates when the windows were built/installed. I always thought they were Tiffany windows but Mom doesn't think so. I guess it doesn't matter, they couldn't be more lovely. 

The current lean toward the more modern sanctuaries - while nice, I find them lacking something. Warmth, maybe. The warmth that you feel from Mt. Vernon's sanctuary literally surrounds you when you enter. My guess is that it probably has to do with the cost it would take to construct this type of building with the artistry and workmanship. I don't know but it's a shame. 

The sanctuary has witnessed my life at every stage. It knew me as a baby - I was christened in this sanctuary. I took communion in this place. I was married in this church. I have mourned loved ones in this sanctuary.

An irregular church-goer in my adult life, I believe the church is still with me. I carry it inside my heart and hope that it shows in my actions and deeds on a daily basis.

Hope you enjoy these pictures. I took a picture of each of the beautiful windows and wish I could post them all. I hope that just looking at them brings you some of the peacefulness that this special sanctuary has to offer.  

Until next time....thanks so much for reading!

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday to our younger son, Taylor! Today he turned thirty years old. How in the world did that happen!?!?? Proof that children grow up tooooo fast! Yesterday, he was so little and now he has two little ones of his own. Hope this year will be his best yet with many many more to happy years to come.

Lots of love to you, T-Bird, from Omah and Ahbah. 

Time Marches On

Well, my last post was February 28th. In the two weeks
that have passed, a lot has happened. We've celebrated a life lost, a blessed life that continues, and a life that is pending birth. 

This rose photo is of one of the beautiful roses in an arrangement at Uncle Frank's funeral. The sunset is a photo of the view of the Dan River from Uncle Frank's living room.

My Uncle Frank, Mom's brother passed away March 5th at the age of 90. He had an extraordinary life - one full of travel, family, friends, and dancing. Uncle Frank loved a party and especially loved to dance. He and Aunt Alice lived around the corner from us when I was growing up. I used to cut through their yard walking to the swimming pool. I also used to wear Aunt Alice's shoes - real shoes - as my dress-up shoes. She was petite and I was not. They fit me perfectly! No plastic dress-up shoes for me! I had the real deals. Uncle Frank lost Aunt Alice to cancer back in 2003. He was fortunate to find a companion to share his love for travel and good times with in his later years. It kept him young. Everyone should have a life so well-lived. Full of hard work, fun times, family, and friends. Godspeed Uncle Frank!

Mom celebrated her 84th birthday on March 6th. It was bittersweet with the loss of her brother the day before. She and Daddy traveled back to Danville for the funeral and were able to see many friends, attend church, meet the new owner of their house of 56 years, and see all of the family who were there for Uncle Frank's funeral. Mom's sister, Nancy, was there from Mississippi along with Nancy's daughter, Holly. Mom and Daddy had a great time and were ready to get back to Ohio last Tuesday. I'm so glad they were able to go. The packing back in late November and the move on December 1st was so frantic and rushed that little time was allowed them to enjoy their friends before they left. This trip back, while sad, was full of celebration of Uncle Frank's life well-lived and seeing friends and family. 

I also made the trip to Danville for the funeral with an overnight in Richmond to see the boys and their families. It was a quick trip - to Richmond, VA on Saturday, to Danville, VA on Sunday, then back to Ohio on Monday. It was worth it. I loved seeing my cousins and their children and grandchildren.

My son, Taylor, and Rachael are doing well and Landen and Raleigh are growing like weeds. Raleigh had changed soooo much since I last saw her in November. She is now 7 months old, is crawling up a storm, and cutting two front bottom teeth. She's a happy happy girl! Landen (3 years old in June) hasn't slowed down a bit - unless he's playing with his trains. He's a very busy boy. They are planning a trip to see us in late June and I can hardly wait!!!!! I'll be counting the days to when I have not just one grandchild under our roof but two! What fun we'll have!

I was able to finish Raleigh's sweater vest and leave it for her. I think Virginia is finished with cold weather so the vest will have to wait until next year.

My other son, Brian, and Eryn are also doing well. Their daughter, Miss B (3 in August) is very talkative and full of personality. Big news is that Brian, Eryn, and Miss B are expecting a baby in August. We received a cute announcement this week - they emailed us a picture of Miss B sitting on the sofa holding a framed hand-written announcement that she is going to be a big sister to a baby girl in August. Miss B is going to be a wonderful big sis! I so wish I could post Miss B's picture but in deference to her parents' wishes - no picture. You'll have to trust me - she's adorable!

Here in Ohio, Mother Nature is reluctant to leave winter alone. We had snow Wednesday night with some spitting snow Thursday. The weatherman is also predicting possibility of snow flurries Sunday night. As much as I love my winter months, I guess I'm ready for spring. Well, almost ready. We've had migrating ducks visiting at our pond over the past several weeks on their way to Canada. The most recent was a group of about 30 Ring-Necked Ducks. It's been very interesting seeing them.

Before leaving Danville, Virginia, I visited the church where Uncle Frank's funeral took place - my home church. The church is absolutely gorgeous with the most beautiful stained glass windows I've ever seen. My next post will feature those amazing windows.