Thursday, September 18, 2008

It is an HONOR.....



to call them my Grandparents.

I had gotten an e-mail in the middle of the week(a BIG thank you to the Fuller's for that) letting me know that Grandma and Grandpa Barnhart were getting honored by Donnels Creek Church on Sunday. I was glad that we were able to make it! It was great to vist the church I grew up in, even though it has been awhile, it feel like home.

Grandpa and Grandma resigned as Deacon and Deaconess after 43 years of service. They Pastor said that they received a letter of resignation in the Spring from Grandpa that said " I am 90 now, and I think it is time to step down and make room for the younger generation" This amazes me that they have given nearly half their lives to the church, and what a phenomenal example of selflessness they are. I always remember grandma going to visit shut-ins and having Ladies Aid. I guess I know where my being a "people pleaser" must come from. I wonder if Grandma has ever said no to anything in her life?

Grandpa spoke only for a minute, and his voice cracked right away, you could hear the sadness, the emotion in his voice, and it is a moment I will never forget! It was obvious that this was difficult for him....In fact I have tears right now just thinking about it.

So, as the naughty Granddaughter, I carried my camera with me to church and snapped a few while they were praying after being inducted as Deacon/Deaconess Meritis...(I hope that I spelled that right)
I was trying to be stealthy about it...lol This is a powerful picture for me...

Anyone that knows my Grandparents, have nothing but kind and loving words about them, and clearly they have touched COUNTLESS lives. Just last month, a man came up to me while I was shooting a wedding and said "I go by Curly....Your granny used to teach my Sunday school class, she was great" And clearly this was at least 30-40 years ago.....

I think that what really makes them amazing is that, they don't give it a thought, it is just what they do and who they are.

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