We have been attending a new church that is actually right around the corner from our house, and while it has paramount differences from everything we are used to, we are definitely feeling our hearts tugged, our souls warmed and our spirits fed while we are there.  The service and style are far more traditional than we are used to, in many ways.   The music is ALL hymns when we were used to a more contemporary service, and while I find “worship” slightly strained at times, I find the meditation on these long standing hymns of the faith is a joy.  Kullen and I had a “lightbulb” moment one Sunday when I pointed out that one of the hymns we were singing was by Fanny Crosby, whose biography we had read a couple years ago.   I am also thankful that my children seem to know more of them than I thought, considering that they seldom heard hymns in our previous churches.  The congregation has a majority of older folks, but they are unexpectedly warm and gracious with our whole family, including my 9 year old son.   (Oh yeah, and they never snubbed me, not even once because I wear jeans every Sunday!)   One thing that is taking some getting used to is sitting in the middle the ADD section at church – meaning my hubby and my son.  Kullen puts his feet on the pews in front of us, uses his clipboard to fan himself in wide, sweeping motions distracting other parishioners up to 3 or 4 pews back, and just about any disruptive thing he can think to do.  I am sympathetic, as I know how difficult it is for him to sit still – but it makes it VERY difficult for me to fully engage my brain in the sermon.  My hubby, while not up to the same antics as his son, gets restless at times, and I can feel it.  Isn’t that weird?  There is no such thing as “children’s church” where the children are dismissed to their own mini-sermon and activities – the children actually *gasp* sit through church with their parents.  And while I am distracted, I am trying to remember that this is a season of training for our family. 

Love and blessings! ~ ? Julie ? ~

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