Homeward Bound

"I'm from Indiana, she made me what I've become,

Everyone has their reasons, one is always where they're from."

(The above are lyrics from Jon McLaughlin's song, 'What I Want' off of his new album, Promising Promises. FYI: He's an INCREDIBLE piano player.)

I grew up in a small town (yes, I realize that the above lyrics are not perfectly suited to my situation because I have never even been to Indiana much less grew up there). Jon McLaughlin's lyrics would suggest, and I would agree, that where you're from has a great impact on who you become. I am a small town girl. While I share many similarities with my friends that grew up in larger areas, there are some differences in the ways we approach and see life. Of course, there are many causes for those differences, but I think the place we grew up is a big one. 

In that small town that I called home for the majority of my life is a church and I grew up in that church...in more ways than one.

When I first walked into Rosemont Heights Baptist Church I was a thumb-sucking, blankie carrying tot. I remember the first Sunday that I went to 'big church' they sang Victory in Jesus...it has been my favorite hymn ever since. (Fun Fact: The first Sunday I attended Calvary in Rome [the church that I would attend for 3.5 years during college], they sang Victory in Jesus.) I also remember informing Mr. Otis that the egg he held up and claimed was Humpty Dumpty was not Humpty Dumpty and being so embarrassed by the chuckles from the congregation that I refused to go down for a children's sermon ever again. I wasn't a preacher's kid, but given that my parents had roles as Sunday school teachers, VBS director, deacon, sound guy, etc...I often felt as though I was at the church every time the doors were open. Since life seems to move by at lightning fast speeds, it all seems like a blur now...but I know that each year there was VBS, music camp, the live nativity, a Christmas cantata, and a whole host of activities that I don't remember too distinctly; however, from pictures I can tell you that I kept growing taller as each year passed.

Then, when practically enough years had passed (I was a little young thanks to skipping a grade), I was in the youth group. Each year there was still VBS and music camp...except now I was a helper...and the live nativity and Christmas cantata. And while, despite all my years in the youth group, I never made it to camp, I did go on the mission trip and participated in the practically Broadway ready production of Uncle Phil's Diner (if by Broadway you mean off-off-off-off-Broadway :) ). Then, it was time to go...I graduated from high school and gave my senior recital in the sanctuary where I had spent so much of my childhood and youth. I moved on with little sadness. I had not yet realized how special of a place 'home' is, especially when it came to my home at Rosemont.

I think to truly appreciate home you have to leave. I honestly didn't expect to ever come back to Rosemont, but then in 2009 Mr. Wes called me and asked me about the intern position and EVERYTHING changed. It seems that God still had some growing He wanted me to do and He wanted me to do it at Rosemont. It would be the summer of spiritual growing pains and as such, it's a summer that I treasure more than I can express. That summer was definitely important in making me who I am today and the place, my church home Rosemont, definitely had something to do with who I've become. 

However, churches aren't so much a place as they are people. The people at Rosemont are the reason that the place is so important to me. Given the impending big move, I've started going through my stuff. For quite some time now I've been keeping almost every card or note that I've ever received (I have some from teachers in elementary school). Most are kept in a special box, but the other day I found a few that were sent to me while I was in college that were still packed with my college things. One was from the Carters that they sent to me the first month I was at Berry. As you would expect from two people who in my opinion were the closest thing to saints walking on the earth, they had nothing but lovely, encouraging things to say. I also have a note from Mrs. Barbara Tinley, who, with Mr. Bill taught me to ride a bike without training wheels because my parents were too scared...okay, because my mom was too scared. The note is written on the back of a Wednesday night supper form that she passed down the pew to me one Sunday morning telling me how beautifully I played the piano that morning...except I clearly remember that I stumbled over the notes several times while playing that morning. However, it didn't really matter...the people at Rosemont have seen me at practically every stage of life and in practically every mood possible and they've loved and encouraged me consistently throughout it all. While the Carters and Mrs. Barbara won't be sitting there this summer as I go home for one last summer, I know that there are countless others that will do their part to encourage and love me.

For many years, on graduate recognition Sunday, we would sing Mark Schultz's 'Remember Me.' Part of the song says,

 "Remember Me

When the children leave their Sunday school with smiles

Remember Me

When they're old enough to teach,

Old enough to preach,

Old enough to leave."

I've been one of those children, this summer I'll be doing that teaching (I won't be preaching...I don't do that), and at the end of July...I'll leave. I'm not sure that there are many people who can say that they've been blessed enough to grow up in practically every way possible in a church (physically, mentally, spiritually) and be so loved while doing it. I am excited to see what new lessons I will learn and what experiences will shape and mold me and equip me to be a better minister...so that I can go and love and encourage the children at what will be my new church home. Most of all, as so many changes loom on the horizon, I am especially grateful to go to a place that is familiar with people who know and have known me...to be home for one last summer before I spread my wings and fly north.