Out of the driveway, down the street, take a left, then a right, and straight ahead. That is how to get to my second home, my church. Ever since I was little, I have spent hours and hours there.

Once inside and through the double doors, warm hugs or handshakes greet me, like a
Welcome committee. One step farther and the smell of fresh coffee makes my senses come to life. Grab a steaming cup of coffee, and go in and have a seat. While waiting for the service to start, the organ plays and the heater kicks on. When I look around, the first thing I notice is the giant cross hanging from the ceiling above the alter. As people file in and find a seat, I take a look at the agenda for the service. When everything is over, I head back out to the narthex for some cookies and juice, say my goodbyes, and head home.

The next Thursday, I head to my church for a Girl Scout meeting. The meeting is held down stairs, and since I have a key, I’m the first to arrive. I unlock the door and turn the light on as quickly as I can. Next, I go and turn on the heater because downstairs is that one-place-colder-than-Antarctica. As I unlock the room we meet in, I hear the rest of the troop arrive. Once the door is unlocked and I step inside, I look right at the corner where the green paint has a splatter of the blue paint from when we painted the room over summer. As the other girls come in, I walk out of the room, across the hall, and through the first door on the right. My sister, the troop leader, is in the church kitchen and needs help carrying the food. I go to the fridge behind the door to get the juice as she grabs cups from the cabinets in the center island. After the meeting, we all plan what movies to bring to the sleepover that Saturday at the church.

Since I go to church every Sunday, and have Girl Scouts there every other Thursday, I spend so much time at my church it feels like I live there. My church is very significant to me because it is the root of my relationship with God, and keeps me and my family very close. Every Sunday, it reminds me how special God is and why I should care about him. Also, my family is brought together by us participating in the various events. There have also been multiple Girl Scout meetings and sleepovers there that make me more comfortable in my church.

My church is no palace with amazing artifacts inside. It is not an amusement park with fun things to be entertained by, but it is still one of the favorite places I like to spend my time. The people there and the memories I have made there can make me smile at any time of day, and I am very grateful for that.