Kirkin of the Tartans

Today I went to a very special service at First Presbyterian Church in Florence as a guest of my best friend RJ Lee. The service was called Kirkin of the Tartans. Before we left for church, my Mommy helped me dress in some real scottish attire. I wore a navy skirt, white blouse and my Mom's McLaughlin tartan sash and crest. I looked like a little scottish blue hose. My Daddy just had to take my photo. My Mommy talked to me a little bit about the tartan and clans as she helped me dress. She also told me that the special pin said...Brave and Faithful. I kept saying it said brave and smart but I am learning.

When we got to the church, there was a bagpiper out in front of the church welcoming everyone. It was so neat. I love the bagpipe music. When we got in to the church, we met my best bud RJ Lee, his Mom (Cathy)and we sat with them. Today was RJ's real 4th birthday. I was so very excited that we were going to see and spend time with him on his birthday. RJ and I were sooooo excited about the bagpiper and the men in skirts. As the service started and the bagpiper came in RJ and I just couldn't sit still. We loved the bagpipes. Then after the bagpipes came our favorite pediatrician dressed in a kilt and carrying a BIG bible--Dr. Weave Whitehead. We were facinated that it was really him!!! Then the preachers, the choir and a member from each clan came in carrying their family tartan on a pole. We even saw our friends Mr. Woody Swink and Mrs. Lola Faye Craig carrying flags. The flag barriers took the flags and put them up at the front of the church on this really neat stand. Margaret Lee (RJ's big sister) carried the Wallace tartan for their family. She had on a kilt and everything.

At the young disciples message RJ and I held hands and went down front just like big kids. We sat right on the floor and talked to the preacher, the bagpiper and Dr. Whitehead. Dr Whitehead had a dager in his sock. The bagpiper told us about his outfit. He had a pretty red cross around his neck. I already knew about the tartans and clans when the preacher ask us. After the young disciples message, I left and went with RJ to chidrens church. After church we went with the Lees to the fellowship hall for a yummy lunch. I sat next to RJ and we ate cupcakes with orange icing. We also got to visit with baby Wills Urquhart's great grandmother and great granddaddy Tyson at lunch. They are such nice people.

We had lots of fun at the First Presbyterian Church Kirkin of the Tartans service today. Happy 4th birthday RJ. Thanks for inviting us for this special day- RJ, Cathy and Margaret Lee!