It comes in waves; I never know when it'll pop up. But I was reading some posts on the blogs of some friends of mine, and looking at pictures of my beloved little island and my beloved little friends, and this flood of sadness washed over my heart. I'm thrilled to be in Rome, and I love it so much, but it's a hard sell to replace Hawaii in my heart. I miss the sweet faces of my old friends, I miss the laughter that was ever-present among these friends, I miss the bonds that had built up over the time I spent in Hawaii. Most of all, I miss my church, Trinity. It was my real home, no matter what my house was. A constant in my life, my church I knew like the back of my hand: the people, the building, the grounds, and the love. Everyone loved each other. I'm not saying we were perfect, and I'm not saying everyone always got along perfectly, because we are still, in fact, humans. But, I recall the first day I ever went there. I was a little nervous, being a seven year old girl in a new, really new, place, and I was being a little shy. But at the end of the service, everyone got up and started introducing themselves to us. Within minutes, a sweet family invited us to their house for lunch, and ever since I have never been the same.
In that church, I grew up. Not just physically, but it is where I really grew up. I had always been a Christian, in my own childish way, because I grew up in a Christian home. Trinity was where I began really understanding the concepts of God's love and promises, it was where I professed my faith, it was where I had my first communion, and it was where I got my first "grown-up" bible, with my name on the cover in gold-lettering. I was never without a friend, and I was never without someone to help me with something. Trinity is where I really began to sing and find my voice, and Trinity was where I discovered my love for acting, thanks to Vacation Bible School skits. :) The people at Trinity love you, and they will do anything to help you grow. Everyone helps everyone, and no one is left in the dust. I've had a countless number of wonderful teachers and friends, and I am so grateful for the impact this church had, and still has, on my life.
Trinity was my home in so many ways, and I think in my heart, it always will hold a very, very special place. To me, it wasn't just four walls and some chairs to visit every Sunday and hear some words. It was a tangible, loving, beautiful, magnificent home.
And it just doesn't get any better than that.
Colossians 3:14-16 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
We miss you, too!!
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