In spite of the chilly wet weather, both Marc and I were out and about. Marc played golf. I took a very cool field trip and spent a wonderful (but long) morning at church to celebrate Gifts of Women Sunday.
The field trip was to a Hindu temple, specifically the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, with our spring confirmation class (I am fortunate to be a mentor to one of the confirmands). Ten teens and 13 adults visited on Saturday afternoon.
Most of us had no idea what to expect; all of us were blown away. We learned not only about the Hindu religion, but also about the amazing construction process that follows traditions thousands of years old. …and the Atlanta temple is one of only five in the US (six in North America counting the one in Toronto).
The temple website is definitely work a click-through – even if just to see the beautiful photography! You can also learn more about that construction process – which took only 17 months and used 1.3 million volunteer hours. All the carving was done by hand, in India and then the pieces were shipped here for assembly. My mind is still boggled!
I hope to have photos from the services to share next week (relying on others’ iPhones is sometimes tricky business for Monday blog posts ;-), but it was 100% written and celebrated by women. Our congregation is blessed to have two wonderful female pastors, a beautiful women’s choral ensemble, a female guest organist and a host of other females of all ages – acolytes, greeters and ushers – to lead and celebrate worship. I had a very small speaking part to recognize the Presbyterian Women in our congregation; it was inspiring to see about half of the congregation stand for that!
We also spent a good bit of time together at home. We started the second season of Sneaky Pete, cheered the awesome showing of the ACC in the upcoming NCAA tournament and FaceTimed with our favorite boys. I love that I can now take photos from FaceTime (even if they’re blurry!).
That’s Sam hugging Charlie in the bath and Sam completely and utterly despondent when his dad left the house. The boys fight over who gets to hold the phone … I think Charlie sometimes lets Sam win. and I think Marc’s favorite thing about all of it is that Sam can say Poppa. Katie says that’s his first two-syllable word. (yep, just a little jealous).
And in between all of that, I also kept close tabs on the latest (last?) amaryllis bloom. Here it is yesterday afternoon.
Hard to tell it was pouring rain outside, isn’t it?!
Photos really do help to tell the stories! I hope you captured something good this weekend, too!
Happy Monday!
mere-et-filles 
What a wonderful experience, Mary! The Hindu temple looks amazing. Tom has visited several temples during his time in India. he says they are just incredible — unique, beautiful, and very powerful. Thanks for sharing your experience. (Those sweet little boys . . . XO.)
The Hindu temple is amazingly detailed and gorgeous! That's just part of what I love about the blogging community; I get to see and learn things I might never have been exposed to otherwise. And two cute little boys and a beautiful amaryllis! You really captured that intense red.
The temple is incredible, I had no idea we had any temples like there here. Glad you had a fun weekend full of good things, especially those little grandsons.
That is fascinating, Mary! Wow! The detail is just incredible! It was a whirlwind weekend here too, but full of good things!
What a beautiful temple! Thanks for the links – I really enjoyed looking at the pictures on their website. Gorgeous carvings. It all looks so calm and peaceful.
How wonderful that Charlie is acting as the protective big brother even at his age. The Hindi temple is amazing and it's as if you're taken right to India. We have a beautiful Krishna temple here in Utah, but I've never visited. Now I want to!
That Hindu temple is amazing! When I was working, several of my colleagues were Hindu and I enjoyed learning about their religion; they belonged to a very small temple…nothing like this one! Your little boys are precious!
That is some incredible architecture, and those carvings are just exquisite! Those sweet, adorable little boys!
I think that would be a fun field trip! I love that you are eating up all those cute moments with the grands, even the crying ones 🙂
Wish I'd been there for the field trip! Amazing that the temple was built in 17 months…took nearly that long (so it seemed, then) when we built the addition onto the house, actually only 11 months but it seemed like FOREVER! And the addition doesn't even begin to suggest the grandeur of the temple. etc. Love little Sam and that Charlie's taken on the role of big brother! the Amaryllis is lovely. Do enjoy!Cheers~
Gifts of Women – what a lovely idea. I belong to a small United Methodist church. Our pastor is a woman, and we love her. In additional to wonderful pastoral care, she will have a glass of wine with me while we knit and/or talk about books. She was a former trainer, so she holds me accountable on my daily steps. She has become one of my best friends. I am the church organist and our choir director is a woman. We should encourage one another, empower each other, and celebrate our gifts and graces daily.
Oh the benefits of not living in rural America! What a wonderful experience that temple must have been! And your church community sounds so wonderful. Glad to see those boys happy and…not!
What a cool experience