My love of handbells

 I have loved handbells for as long as I can remember.  The first time I remember hearing handbells was as a toddler.  Mom rang in the handbell choir at FBC and sometimes she would take me with her to rehearsal.  I think, at that time, the choir was mostly housewives and they rehearsed one morning each week.  Being that, at the time, Mom was staying at home with me, I would go with her to rehearsal.  Instead of leaving me in the nursery (there was a preschool there), she would prop me up in a chair and I would listen intently to the magical sound of the bells.  Whenever they would ring during service, I was allowed to stay in the sanctuary until after they played, then Dad would take me to the children's room.  I loved it.

As Christmas approaches, I remember wanting a set of bells for so long from Santa. Of course, I didn't comprehend at the time how expensive handbells were.  I just knew I wanted some.  I did finally get a set of multi colored bells.  One full octave.  They were geared towards preschoolers.  I loved them and played with them so much.  I was able to join the children's handbell choir when I was in 3rd grade.  I was beyond excited.  I would eventually join the youth handbell choir as I became a middle schooler and actually started ringing with the adult choir when I was in 9th grade.  That meant I missed some youth activities, but that was alright with me.

There is just something about the sound of them that I love.   The clarity of the tone.  The precision of the technique of ringing the bell.  It all fascinates me.  Still does.  As an adult, I realized that I wanted to get back into ringing bells.  One, because I do love it.  And also because it is and has always been the way I am most comfortable serving the Lord.  It makes me feel like I am giving back to the church and I get satisfaction from that.  After a less than spectacular experience with a bell choir, I have now found a choir that is awesome and I love ringing with.  Sometimes, I don't manage to ring everything I'm supposed to, but I still love it.  And I am looking forward to being a part of this group for a long time, if they'll have me.  

Here is our first performance in worship this year:  https://fb.watch/8_kFrw40UM/

It's just nice to restart one of my passions.  I love that!