{The Billy Graham Library} Final Chapter of Birthday Trip

The Cross is actually a door that you walk through to get inside the building. 

As I share the last of my birthday trip pictures with you today I can't help but to be reminded that it's not just those milestone birthdays that are important. It's every day of life that the Lord gives to us. 
Today I would like to share the Billy Graham Library. They should have named it the Billy Graham Museum. So much to look at, read and think about. The Billy Graham Library is located in Charlotte, NC so on our home from Ashville NC this was our last stop. So thankful we went to visit. The Library was designed to reflect Billy Graham’s journey from a humble farm boy to an international ambassador of God’s love, the barn-shaped building is situated on 20 landscaped acres, only miles from where Billy Graham grew up in Charlotte, N.C.

The roped off area that you see in the living room area was where Billy Graham's casket sat. Thousands and thousands came through the home to pay their respects to the family. 

I took so many pictures here but decided to share a few that was really meaningful to me. The first stop was the home that Billy Graham lived in from age nine until he left for college. The homestead was actually moved to location about 4 miles from where it was originally at. They were able to restore the home using 80 percent of the original materials. 

I love the picture over the stove of Billy's mother. That cute little gal in the picture was the sweetest lady ever. She was actually a niece to Billy Graham. She told us that Billy was the most humbled man she had ever known. She said everyone of course knew who Billy was but he didn't think like that. Once he stopped by a hospital to visit someone and when he walked into a room he would purposely stop and speak to everyone and introduce himself. She laughed saying, "He didn't think people knew him". 

The interior features some original furnishings as well as authentic appliances, furniture and fascinating memorabilia from the Graham family.

Billy's Preaching Bible as he called it. 

These items sat on desk that belonged to Billy Graham's mother. Of course I spotted that cute eyeglass holder and I thought, I need me one of those!!! Looking at all the things inside the home was wonderful. I almost felt like I could smell some baking going on in that kitchen or even sensing the prayers that Billy's parent's must have prayed for him. 

We walked out of the home and straight through the doors of the cross to the Library as they call it. In the library you could trace Billy Graham’s dynamic journey through stunning multimedia presentations, interactive kiosks, photos, and memorabilia. It was amazing.

This was the engagement ring of Ruth. I just loved it as well as the story.

Isn't Ruth's wedding gown beautiful? I love what she done with her wedding veil as each of her children were born. 

Each showcase held countless information and stories. 

There was a whole section of the different televisions used over the course of Billy Graham's Evangelism. I could remember many of the different televisions. 

Watching a video about the Iron Wall was quite humbling. 

In one of Billy's book that I read he talked about his parent's faithfulness to pray for him. 

The lady in the picture headed up women from all over the world to have prayer teams in preparation for Billy Graham Crusades. When she passed away, Ruth Graham spoke at funeral. 
 Back in the 70's Billy Grahams crusade team came up with the dot in the center of the watch. Several testimonies on this concept really spoke to me. Pray on the spot when you see the dot. Cliff Barrows, a longtime music and program director for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association said that many times while preparing for a Crusade he would look at his watch and see the dot and simply say, "Lord, we need for you to move". I loved the concept of the dot in the center of the watch. So much so, that I went and bought some little sticky dots and tried one out for a week. You can buy those that are easy to remove and in any color. I just happened to see a pack of nonetheless....some pretty red bling ones! 

I have several methods I use when I am "Praying without ceasing" but this may just be a new method for me as well. 

There was so much to see and we saw it all, read it all, watched every video, and listened to every presentation. The stories and testimonies was quite fascinating.  After the tour in the Library we visited Ruth's Attic.  Ruth’s Attic is named to honor Ruth Bell Graham’s lifelong love of the printed page. The bookstore offers rare and special editions written by Billy and Ruth Graham as well as an extensive selection of Bibles. So many things could be found in Ruth's Attic. Books galore, music, sermons, home decor and all kinds of sweet gifts.

We visited Ruth's prayer garden and though I am sure it is quite beautiful in the summer with the all flowers in bloom it was still quite breathtaking. It was beginning to rain but it didn't stop up. Praise the Lord for umbrella's. We visited Billy and Ruth's burial sites along with those of George Beverly Shea and Cliff Barrows, longtime members of the Billy Graham Crusade Team; and Billie Barrows, early crusade pianist and wife of Cliff Barrows.
Billy's tombstone says;
 Billy Graham- Preacher of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ

John 14:6 the verse reads, 'Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me"'.

Ruth's reads:  "End of Construction—Thank you for your patience." I smiled as I read this. 

I had so many wonderful pictures and choosing just a few was surely hard. I hope that you have enjoyed my milestone birthday trip with me. You know....it is the little things that mean so very much and I surely enjoyed each and every little thing that we done. 

But y'all....THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME......

I will leave you today with words quoted by Billy Graham.......

“We are to pray in times of adversity,
lest we become faithless and unbelieving.
We are to pray in times of prosperity,
lest we become boastful and proud.
We are to pray in times of danger,
lest we become fearful and doubting.
We are to pray in times of security,
lest we become self-sufficient.”

Hugs and blessings to you all.
Cindy