Photos

More from the Billy Graham Library

The house where Billy Graham grew up has been moved to the library property, and you could tour the bottom floor. It is kept much as it was when his mother was living there after his father died. I loved going through it. There were a few items on display in cases there at the home. I especially loved that they had her house key.

And I absolutely loved the kitchen. Such a fun place to visit.

Billy Graham Library

On Monday Sherri was in Charlotte for the day before visiting friends late in the afternoon, so Meg & I met her at the Billy Graham Library so spend a few hours and have lunch. Sherri had never been – but actually, Meg & I have both been several times, but it was like a completely new experience. When the library had to shut down during covid, they decided to go ahead with some changes they had been planning on making in the future, and it was closed for several months longer than they had to be, but it is just even more amazing than ever before. Lots & lots of AI & interactive exhibits were added, and others were updated. Such a cool experience for the day. This was in the display about all of the U.S. Presidents he prayed with and shepherded.

The exhibit on visits Billy Graham had made all around the world. It was just an amazing way to spend the day.

Sunday in King

What a wonderful day Sunday was. I was at King Moravian Church with most of my siblings to see Zollie’s son Cooper join the church and his and Rachel’s daughters Mary and Frankie be baptized. Then we went back to their house for lunch and Frankie’s 3rd birthday party. So special. I got this picture during the baptism service.

And this one of Frankie modeling the dinosaur blanket she got for her birthday. She is in her serous dinosaur phase right now. So, so cute.

Friday evening picture

Friday evening Lindee & Clara were going to the Olivia Rodrigo concert in Charlotte – the tickets had been one of Clara’s Christmas present. They had a ticket for Mal to go with them, but she was at the beach on spring break, so a good friend Keira joined them instead. Our house is on the way to Charlotte – theirs is way out on the other side of town – so they came here to dress & meet up with Keira. I love when they do that & I get to see them off on their adventures. As it turned out, we were having Addie’s birthday supper that evening. We knew Lindee & crew wouldn’t be able to be here, but it was just the only evening we could find to have it. With all the teenagers in the family now schedules are insane, so we just have to roll with what we’ve got. As a matter of fact, Addie & June just came on their way home from Rock Hill, where June had gotten a spray tan to get ready for her dance competition the next day. Lee & Mason came from their house a little later. It was a busy, crazy evening at our house. Here is a group shot before Lindee, Clara, & Keira walked out the door.

The Jersey Tenors

The program at the auditorium here in town last week, as part of the Performing Arts Series, was The Jersey Tenors. It was just a great show – so much fun. They sang lots of the music of The Four Seasons, as well as other artists from New Jersey – Frank Sinatra, Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, John Travolta, as well as some other music. They were very entertaining and had great voices. And then for their encore, when they came back out we learned that they had all met when they were singing on Broadway in the cast of Les Mis, and sang One Day More, from that play. Everything about that play brings tears to my eyes, and this was no exception. So, so good.

Seeing Auschwitz

Earlier this week my friend Flo and I went to Charlotte to see the traveling exhibit, Seeing Auschwitz, on display at one of the arts centers there. It was so moving and so, so well done. The pictures were from an album found after the Allied troops captured the concentration camp. Here are a couple of pictures that were on display along with the descriptions. Heartbreaking – most people were crying when we walked out the door.

Other signs by this picture said that the Allied troops arrived ten days after the Nazis had abandoned the camps, and these barracks were still burning due to all of the bodies they stuffed in them, too – the human fat served as fuel so the fires didn’t go out. It is just impossible to grasp.

Last Sunday pix

Last Sunday after church Clara & I headed to Tony’s Ice Cream in Gastonia for an afternoon outing. We did eat a tiny bit of real food – well, a hotdog and some chicken strips – but then the highlight of the day was our ice cream goodies for dessert. I had a banana split for the first time in decades, but Clara went with a peanut butter swirl milkshake. YUM. MY.

We did a little bit of shopping at Bath and Body Works, and then after I dropped Clara off I got home and finished up the jigsaw puzzle I had been working on. Jeff had been sick since he got home from his trip to Indiana, so I managed this one on my own. It was a fun one to work.

Sunday Pix

The Worship Arts committee at our church is so talented. I absolutely love the display they’ve created for the front of the church for the season of Lent.

This past weekend Lesley was in town, along with Connor, to go to a wedding, and we had lunch here at the house Sunday afternoon so as many people could see her as was possible. Lindee & Clara were sick, as was Meg’s husband Mike, and June had a dance competition so they weren’t here, but we had so much fun with the ones who were here. I got this group picture before everyone started dispersing. Bottom row is Boo, Lesley, Adam, and Meg. Those three in the middle are Ryan, Connor, and Charlie. In back are Leesy, Shea, Andy, Amy, and Jeff behind Jenny and Andrew in the shadow. As always, it was such a blessing to be together.