#21 – Visit the Billy Graham library

Whenever I visit our SP head offices in Boone I fly into Charlotte.  When I realised that I actually had time on my travel day home I knew that I had to go visit the Billy Graham library which I have always heard so much about.  I also have memories of seeing Billy Graham at a crusade at West Ham in June 1989 and so feel that he is a part of my story.  All of my colleagues assured me that it was well worth it and to make sure that I allowed a good couple of hours for the visit. 

 

I met my friend Ashleigh for lunch at the BGEA offices where she works and we enjoyed a good catch up.  Then she took me over to the library through a sneaky back route through offices and behind the scenes rooms.  She had to get back to work which meant doing the tour on my own.  But actually that meant I was able to enjoy reflecting in a much deeper way as I went around.

The tour starts with Bessie the Cow speaking to you and I confess that at this point I was concerned that it was all going to be a bit cheesy.  But thankfully it wasn’t.  The library documents the life and ministry of Billy Graham who was one of the most influential voices of the 20^th century and an amazing evangelist.  Billy Graham grew up on a farm and Bessie the talking cow and the barn-styled building are designed to reflect this.  The first few parts are multimedia film rooms where you watch a clip and then move on, but after that you can take things at your own pace and spend as much or as little time as you want in each room and section.

But the library is much more than just a museum of artefacts and information about the lives of Billy and Ruth Graham.  The focus throughout is on Christ and the transforming impact he has had on so many lives – in the life of a young farm boy, and then through him and Ruth across so many across America and all around the world.  It was amazing to see the breadth of Graham’s ministry – the places he had been to and the people he had been able to touch with the love of God.  Although it is the Billy Graham library it is actually a celebration of Christ and what he can do when one man says yes.  An inspiring, encouraging and totally uplifting visit which helped me to keep my focus on why I do what I do and who I do it for.

#20 – Outdoor film at Senate House

Watch a film in the park had been on my very initial list when I first thought up the idea of my 40 things celebration.  Actually I am fairly certain that the same friend who suggested it as an idea then was the same friend who found the opportunity at Senate House and booked the tickets for us.  Thank you Ruth!

I had never seen Guys and Dolls before and in fact knew nothing about the film but I embraced the idea of an outdoor film viewing and once I’d worked out that I was around the dates of it I jumped at the chance.  By the time the date rolled around I was 2 weeks into a migraine which ended up lasting over 3 weeks.  But no way was I going to cancel on this one unless I absolutely had to.  I reasoned that I needed to find opportunities to have fun and not just rest home alone to help myself to recover.  And I’m glad I did as it was a very fun evening!

We arrived in good time and were relatively near the front of the queue so we were able to more or less pick the ground space we wanted.  The cobbled concrete ground was distinctly less comfortable than the grass we had sat on for Shakespeare in the park, even with our blankets over it.  And arriving early enough to get a spot did also mean having to wait a long time for it to get dark enough for them to start showing the film.  But we kept ourselves entertained with silly games and talk of the portable printer we should have brought with us… best not to ask!  And eventually we settled back as the film began.

Throughout the evening we progressively bundled ourselves up more and more as the chill began to set in and I regretted the socks still sitting at my desk which I forgot to grab on my way out.  At one point we all tried to ignore the little droplets falling on us in the hope that un-noticed they would just go away again.  Thankfully it worked!  Even in my chilled state I did manage to drop off slightly midway through the film as my weary head got overwhelmed.  But that said I did really enjoy the film.  I think I’d like to see it again sometime in warmer conditions and with a less achy head to better appreciate it.

Since the film is a long one it was a mad dash at the end to get to the station before last trains which also served as a good warming up technique!  A very late night, especially for a Monday, but well worth it for all the fun had!