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{March is well under way}

February days are now gone and March has officially kicked in.   I finally purchased a new monthly focus board.  We ventured out for a day date which included a movie. I love our day dates. I will give my honest review about the movie for those interested. I wanted to see this movie as it was based on a true story. I did enjoy the movie but oh my, it was a tear jerker from the get go! It ended good but mercy! Let's just say that I am thankful that no one was sitting close enough to see my tear stained face. I am glad that I saw it but I am good for a while on sad movies, even if they do end good!   My oldest daughter, her husband and their son participated in the Spartan race which is a series of obstacle courses that challenge. They done so well. As you can see from the pictures it gets pretty muddy!  My three daughters participate each year in the Gate River Run. I love it that they do this together. They have so much support & encouragement from all the onlookers. I am just

{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


Comments

  1. Awe... this was wonderful!
    Your photos made it seem as if I was right there on this special occasion with you, a beautiful presentation Cindy.
    What a magnificent man of God!!
    Thank you for sharing your Birthday with us ~

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  2. So glad you shared Cindy. I have enjoyed your birthday trip with you. The Billy Graham library is on my list of things I would love to do. I enjoyed all of the pictures so much. I love what Ruth's tombstone says. I heard Billy G preach when he was in Jacksonville, Fl.
    Connie Royals

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    1. Thanks Connie. I heard him preach in Jacksonville as well. He surely had the almighty hand of Jesus on him throughout his whole ministry.

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  3. Thank you so much for sharing! I got chills reading this and looking at those photos...especially his Bible! What a great testimony this man left behind and thinking of ALL the millions of lives he touched with his ministry! What a great part of your trip! Love and hugs!

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    1. I was most humbled visiting the Billy Graham library.

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  4. Wow, what an amazing trip! ....and Happy Belated Birthday! So many personal items like the bible with his hand written notes, and the stories behind the engagement ring and the wedding veil. So interesting! I am popping by to say hello, to thank you for stopping by today and to catch up on my blog reading!!! Have a wonderful week!

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    1. So glad you came by Linda. I do hope you are doing well and was excited to see your post. Made me smile.

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  5. What a cool place to visit. Thanks for bringing us along!

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    1. We love it Heather. Glad you tagged along with me girl!

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  6. Beautiful. I love the kitchen, smiles. I am so partial to vintage everything, smiles.

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    1. Thank you Linda .oh i pray you are feeling much better today friend .

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  7. What a wonderful finish to your birthday trip! I need one of those cute eyeglass holders too.

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    1. Mediocre Margie ! I really want one of those 😊

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    2. Typing on phone ! 😂. Of course i meant me too ! 😂

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  8. WOW...you had a great bday. All of that is amazing but I have to say that I totally LOVE the kitchen. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it. And like the SHOES say, "Theres No Place Like Home"! I have that painted on my front door. So glad you had a great time.

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    1. Thank you Pam . I too loved the kitchen . It was really a neat trip . But yes girl ... no place like home !

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  9. What a wonderful trip! Thanks for sharing this part of your journey. It was the best!!

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  10. I so enjoyed going along with you to Billy Graham's library, Cindy. How I loved seeing all your pictures and reading some of the favorite stories. Wasn't the engagement ring story so sweet? I also loved the wedding veil story! Thank you for sharing your wonderful birthday trip with us. Love and hugs to you, sweet friend!

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    1. Thanks Kitty . It was a fun trip . We made some great memories. ❤️

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  11. What a wonderful tour you gave us, Cindy. I would still like to slap myself for never visiting this place that is only two hours from me! I have already told Jim that one weekend this summer when he is off, we will be making a trip there. I love the idea of the "dot" on the watch and your red blingy one is just perfect! Thank you for sharing your fabulous birthday week! HUGS!

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    1. If you have the chance please go visit the Billy Graham Library since you are that close . You would love it . I knew about it but while at the Cove a couple that we met there told us all about it and it was obvious that they enjoyed it. So, we took a different route home and went and i must say , I’m so thankful we had the opportunity. ❤️

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  12. Cindy, thank you so much for sharing your pictures and telling us about the Billy Graham Library! I guess I didn't realize that he grew up in Charlotte. That area is rather familiar to us as our son lived just beyond there in Huntersville at one time.

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    1. Huntersville wasn’t that far from there all. So glad you tagged along sweet lady . It’s been fun .

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  13. What a wonderful and blessed birthday trip! Thank you for sharing! Loved every bit of your great post!
    Xo

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  14. what a wonderful trip. i love that eyeglass holder too. nancy

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    1. It was indeed Nancy.Yes, I want me some cute eyeglass holders like that!

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  15. Cindy, You have such a wonderful way of pictures, words and ideas, that make me want to travel where you have been. I still have in my "to do list" the Ark trip and now it's the Billy Graham Library! Love the ring, home and stories!
    Thank you!

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    1. Oh we loved the Ark too Christine. I hope that you get to go to both dear lady.

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  16. This was so wonderful. Thank you for sharing it with us. I would love to visit there someday. Quite a legacy!! Praise God for Billy Graham's faithfulness to God's Word throughout his whole life. God has been honored and glorified by His servant, and that continues to carry on through his children and family and everyone who was saved under his ministry. What a blessing.

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    1. The Lord surely had His hands upon this man of God . I hope you get to visit there one day Pam . You would love it .

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  17. Cindy, I have loved all three chapters of your birthday trip, but this one was really special. I haven’t been to the Billy Graham Library but now I must go. Thank you dear friend for your lovely photos and commentary! Hugs~

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  18. We have been wanting to go there, and now that I have seen this, I just want to go even more! This is amazing! I am so thankful you all had such a wonderful time on your birthday, sweet friend. May God bless you with many, many more!

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    1. Thank you Cheryl . It was wonderful to hav such a great and meaningful birthday trip . Yes if you have opportunity do go ad visit the Billy Graham museum .

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  19. Oh, I love Billy Graham and have such respect for him and his awesome ministry. I'd love to go see Montreat and the library/museum. Got to do that sooner than later. A most enjoyable post!

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    1. Thanks Lea . It was most certainly a most humbling time for me .

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  20. Wow, Cindy! What a precious place to visit! It beats the Biltmore hands down. I loved all you shared and have bookmarked this post to visit over and over again. I have a DVD called "God's Ambassador" all about Billy's life and was narrated by Sir David Frost. I watch it frequently. What a humble man, Billy Graham was! I love the "See the dot, pray on the spot" idea!

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    1. Thanks Melanie. I was so moved by so many things while visiting there. Just loved it!

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  21. Cindy,
    Even though I am not familiar with Billy Graham other than knowing who he was, it seems like quite an exquisite place to visit!! Thanks so much for stopping by and for taking the time to comment on my follow up post about blogging!! I think many of us enjoy the personal blogs and are aggravated by all the Professional bloggers out there...
    Hugs,
    Deb

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    1. Thanks Deb for coming by . Billy graham was surely a man of God .

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  22. What a wonderful way to end your birthday trip! This is on my list of places to visit when we're in that area. Thank you for tour and for sharing so much of the heritage of Billy Graham and his family.
    ~Adrienne~

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  23. I'm behind Cindy with all the traveling I have been doing. I enjoyed your tour of Billy Graham's homes. I got chill bumps and teared up at his faithfulness and of his wife Ruth. What a legacy and witness he was and now his children are doing the same.
    You have made me want to visit there. Thank you for sharing your trip. You are a great tour guide. This was so inspirational.

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    1. Thanks Bonnie . I know you’ve had fun traveling . Yes seeing the Billy Graham library is a must . You would love it .

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  24. I really enjoyed your sharing of your visit to the Billy Graham Library, such a wealth of information and history! I enjoyed the wedding vail story, seeing his Bible and desk, and the pictures of the quotes you shared. How wonderful to have a prayer garden there too. Such a beautiful day it must have been for you and your husband to enjoy, and thank God for the umbrella! Truly though, there is really no place like home, I'm in agreement with you... wonderful to get away, but nice to be back home :) Blessings to you sweet friend!

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  25. Thanks so much Cindy for taking us along. The Billy Graham library is amazing. Love the ring story. You made me feel as if I was there. Hugs and blessings.

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  26. This post is a treasure. Thank you for sharing the pictures, the quotes, and your thoughts on visiting The Billy Graham Library. He was one of our national treasures and the work continues.

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So glad you stopped by to visit.
Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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