captured reflection.

This morning I went to church for the last time as a Virginia resident.

Essen began the worship service announcing that I was moving to North Carolina tomorrow. The tears rose out of a very well protected well of emotional, and they dropped from my eyes. I was able to compose myself the rest of the service, and enjoyed some great conversation with the Daley's long after the sanctuary had emptied. Sometimes the only form of gratitude we can release is found in the profound silence of our tears.

I started going to TAB four years ago with Mandy and Tex, to the Staunton site. After that site became more developed and Rick took over as lead pastor, Tex and I moved to Waynesboro to continue to learn and grow with Essen. Tex and I had a routine on Sunday's of Dunkin Donuts, munchkins, and worship. Of our friendship rooted in Lexington, I think Sunday's were my absolute favorite. There has not been a time since he moved West that I've not looked at the bridge on my way past, or thought of great memories of sharing what we would learn by attending church together.

When I returned from China last year I continued to make my home at TAB, and found great comfort in the friendships I was formulating with Essen, Cathy, and their fantastic kids. Today I left them outside the building in which I had found so much peace, clarity, and growth and I was overwhelmed with gratitude.

This afternoon my mind has thought back to the things I've learned and loved in this time, space, and place. So many of the most meaningful lessons came at the direction and teaching I found at Tabernacle, and I will miss it terribly.

I came home wanting to capture the sunlight before the impending storms to take pictures outside the house for my "I Moved" address change postcard. Gracie circled at my feet, and there are some that she was able to pause before her own chaos to pose with me. But these two speak reflection, and gratitude as I know what I was thinking about as they were captured. It is one of the many ways and reasons I love photographs... the stories they tell-- even if only to the one featured.