Happy Anniversary Little Cedar Church!

My fiance never ceases to expose me to new experiences. I love him for that. Otherwise, I would really be missing out...here is a prime example...

Long story short, we may be getting married in a Presbyterian church. I'm not Presbyterian, so I view this as a concern. So I begin "googling" (my source of all information) the faith so I can learn about it and have some bank of knowledge. But then I say "we need to get to a Presbyterian mass". My lovely Josh was baptized Presbyterian but I can't say he goes to their masses often -- but he agrees -- if we may marry in the Presbyterian church, we will dedicate ourselves to figuring it out...right?!

So I should not be surprised on Sunday morning when he says "I thought I would take you to the Presbyterian mass." Awww...great stuff! Let's go. I am always up for an adventure (yeah, right...have you met me?!). Now, this would not be the church we would be marrying in, but would give me my first glimpse to the faith. I was nervous. Being Catholic, I am use to the tradition, the solemness, the focus on God, etc. - and I don't go to a lot of other masses.

As we begin to drive to mass, I realize we are not driving to "town", and ask what we are doing. I then learn that Josh does not want to go to the Presbyterian mass in Monmouth -- but rather, we are headed to Little York -- town of approximately 250 people. Church with approximately 16 pews!

Not only am I exposed to a new faith, but I am totally exposed to life in small town Little York (said around here really fast so it is like LilYork). Oh my...of course people knew us...or rather, knew Josh and by extension, me. And no one seemed surprised to see us there, as if we always belong. So much so that when they announced that the church was celebrating 50 years, I should not have been surprised that we would, of course, be in the photo. WHAT?! I was mortified. We were new to this church and yet, front and center middle pews, we would be documented for history sake in the 50 year photo -- Josh's grandparents have the 25 year photo at home. There was no way out of it, we were stuck, so all we could do is smile, as I said "Oh my God" and Josh reminded me that we were in church so I should say "Gosh" instead...

As for mass...it was different...welcoming, which we needed. So family friendly. We even started mass by singing happy birthday to someone -- for this stoic, somber Catholic, I about fell out of my pew...as that was followed by calls out of prayer requests from the audience, and action from the worship band as the pastor said "wake em' up"! Oh Little York...so entertaining... after one more photo outside (which we could also not escape), we were back in the car on the way home. Josh all smiles, saying this is a church he could really get use to, and asking me what I thought... and all I could do was laugh. Did that really just happen?!

I love my fiance. He's the most unique person I know and life with him will NEVER be dull. And if it ever is, I will suggest we head to Little York...when the only other time I have visited was when we went to a karaoke bar there...but that's a story for another time...