I am always eager to return home for the summer after completing another semester of school. But what I don't always realize until I'm home, is how much I have missed my home, my library, my bed, and especially, my home church, Petrie Memorial United Methodist Church. To anyone who is attached to their home church, they know it's like an extension of your family tree. They are another limb to catch you when you fall, roots that run with the deepest wisdom, and as generous as the Giving Tree in Shel Silverstein's, The Giving Tree. For me, there is no church better than the one you grew up in.

1. These people have known me my whole life.

They have watched me grow up, and the first Sunday I come back, I am always greeted with warm smiles, hugs, and a "I'm glad you're back." The familiarity of the pew my family sits in every Sunday next to the stain glass window dedicated to Emma Petrie, the familiar welcoming faces of those who have taught me since before preschool, and the overall loving atmosphere of my church are only a few of the wonderful qualities that bring me back.

2. They are invested in my education.

The question I am asked the most upon returning aside from, "Back for the summer?" is, "So, how was school?" While it can be taxing to give a full report over and over again, it shows how interested everyone is in how I have succeeded or failed. Then they offer a genuine congratulatory, or "Oh well, it's Latin. Good job." Not to mention for the past two years, my home church as offered a Vacation Bible School (VBS) scholarship to any member of the church, who is currently attending college, which helps greatly with the expenses of college.

3. Sweet old church ladies.

Every church has them. Those older women who invest in a younger person and constantly ask you what you've been up to, how have you been, and can't seem to remember when exactly you're graduating, but here's five dollars anyways. When someone asks you what you love best about your church, one of the first things that comes to mind is that sweet old lady who keeps insisting that you have the prettiest eyebrows she has ever seen.

4. Good memories of VBS.

Both working it as an adult and attending as a child. I have never forgotten "You are still under construction" (In fact, I still have the craft we made one night from that week!) from my last bible school experience as child. And it can be really encouraging to realize I don't have to be everything now. Working VBS has showed me that children are loads smarter and honest than we give them credit for. I also realized that VBS takes a lot of work and effort. From my experience working VBS, four interns and I work a full-time job for three weeks putting decorations and stations together, not including the week of VBS!

5. The music.

I'm not the biggest fan of old hymns, but when we sing "Amazing Grace" and "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand" at Asbury, I really start missing my home church. At Petrie, we have some awesome musical talent. The choir is great, the pianists are amazing, and occasionally we are blessed with an incredible violinist. Best group worship ever!