Return Invitation

Last summer, I received an invitation to speak at a little church just outside of Kokomo. They needed someone to speak in their Sunday morning worship service and their pastor's wife had just learned that I had begun to do some speaking, so they invited me. Since Ryan wasn't working, he went with me, which I loved. The congregation is small in number but huge in heart and kindness. We loved being part of their service!

A couple of weeks ago, they called again and invited me back! It's a bit of a relieving feeling to be called back, you know? Well, at least it was until Ryan said maybe they were giving me a chance to prove I really could do it. HA!

I prayed for several days about what to speak on and with the date of the service drawing close and closer, I started to get a little worried when I hadn't heard God prompt me in any particular direction! But one day, as I started to wake up from a nap (one of the times I hear best in prayer!) I had a very clear sense of direction and went to work immediately!

So Sunday morning, Ryan and I packed up the car and headed to the church to share with the people again. We arrived just before their Sunday School hour ended, so when we got inside, we had just a few minutes to wander around and settle in.

Ryan settled into the front pew, but he decided not to stay there. No one needs the nostril view, right?

It only took us five tries to get this photo:

The outtakes are hilarious, but I really need and want Ryan to love me a lot, so I won't post them.

Now if you heard this week's podcast, you heard this story already, but let me just put it in print for posterity. This church has an old fashioned bell in its steeple, and the rope for the bell hangs in (apparently) a very tempting manner in the foyer of the church. While we waited for Sunday School to dismiss, Ryan threatened to ring it and I told him I really wanted a chance to be invited back again to this congregation, so maybe that wasn't the best idea.

But when one of the ladies came out to set up for church, we talked with her and the whole bell thing came up in conversation. She laughed and nodded for him to go ring it. We both stared at her in total disbelief, but she pointed at the rope and said, "Go ahead! It's okay! Ring it!"

Well, he needed no further invitation.

Pretty sure he stopped JUST short of actually swinging from the rope.

A few minutes later, we heard another church bell - from the church about a block away. The woman who had said Ryan could ring the bell listened closely and said, "They're trying to outdo you! They never ring their bell. Ring it again!"

I feared I might never lure him away from this bell!

But I did. Church began and it was a great service. While we were singing, a gentleman got up and left the sanctuary, but he came right back with his harmonica and he played along with the congregation for the rest of the time. I don't know when (or even IF) I've heard such a thing before in person, and I loved it!

When I got up to speak, the people were just so kind, and I appreciated them laughing along with the stories (laughing at appropriate points, that is) and taking in the message God pressed on me!

(Bonus! My mom remembered that this church had thrown her a surprise baby shower before I was born, and I found some of the pictures in my baby book. I took the whole album so they could see that blast from the past!)

A wonderful Sunday...thanks, Hemlock, for asking me to come back!