Laughter is Contagious

As I review my notes for the conversation I am writing about today, I’m struck by one overarching memory about the conversation…the laughter.  So struck by how much fun the conversation was, the “old adage” “laugher is contagious” came to mind, so I looked up the adage to see if anyone had ever found any truth to the adage.  Sure enough, those “unnamed researchers” we always read about have found in numerous studies that laughter is, indeed, contagious.  No wonder I laughed so much when talking with Elsie and Arthur James.

One of the best features of Hayes Barton Baptist Church is that people get to meet new people through the many activities sponsored by the church.  Such was the case when my husband Jim and I met Elsie James.  “Operation InAsMuch” in 2010 put us on a team that didn’t have one of the more glamorous mission assignments.  Because of my love of horses, I signed us up for the Helping Horse Therapeutic Riding Program, little realizing that our task was to involve little contact with horses.  When we found out from Mory Read that we were to build a septic field fence, we put on our oldest boots, grabbed pairs of gloves, and headed out to accomplish our mission.

Upon arrival, we found out that our mission team was a small one; only one other person from the church was at the ranch to work.  That person was Elsie James.  Meeting Elsie James on a horse ranch with the mission of building a fence around a septic field is all that needs to happen for the laughter to commence.  It never takes more than a few minutes when we see her for us to recall with laughter our mission, particularly the posthole digger that she and Jim used to set the fence stakes.  Since the fence was to be a temporary one, we know it isn’t there any longer, but the memories of a fun time live on.

And that is the way it is with Elsie and Arthur James.  Just about everything that we talked about was remembered with smiles and laughter.  Whether discussing the fact that both of their mothers were airline stewardesses or remembering that Shirley Faulk was the director of their wedding in 1981 at Hayes Barton Baptist Church, the messages communicated are that life is a blessing that is to be lived with a smile on your face and in your heart.

Elsie’s connection to Hayes Barton Baptist Church dates back to her parents joining the church in the 1940s and her baptism in 1953.  Like many who are still members, Elsie says, “I grew up in this church.  This has been and is my church.”  Arthur, also like many, married into the church.  “You can look all you want at churches,” Elsie recalls saying to Arthur, “but we are going to Hayes Barton Baptist.”

And that has worked out just fine for Arthur.  “From day one, this has been home for me,” says Arthur.  “The people make it home.  The people are committed.  The style of the church fits.”  Elsie adds, “We are here because we believe in the mission of this church.  It is a church that wants to get out and give back.  We work hard.  We have good times that are filled with laughter.  We do what we can.”

And one of the most important “can do” things Arthur was involved with in the church was chairing the architectural committee for the Family Life Center.  “The Family Life Center grew out of our visioning in 1999,” says Arthur. “It is a beautiful building that blends in well, and it is fulfilling its purpose beyond my wildest dreams.  It is giving a whole new different life to this church.”

Elsie and Arthur raised their two children, August and McCauley, in the church and have fond and, again, fun memories of mission trips taken with their children to Arkansas, Overton House in Scotland, and Gulfport.  “Missions reenergize you to see how important your faith is,” reflects Elsie.  “We are called on by Christ to help others,” says Arthur, “There are all kinds of ways with missions to share your faith with people.”

When asked about the heritage of Hayes Barton Baptist Church, Elsie quickly and seriously says, “There is strength in this church. There is a commitment to spread the Word to others.”  “There is the togetherness of family,” adds Arthur.  “Our children come home and want to go to church.  The church is their family.”

The hope of Hayes Barton Baptist Church resides in its people and its traditions, according to the Jameses.  “My hope is that the church will continue to grow and continue to attract families and carry on our traditions,” says Arthur.  “Our traditions are our security.”  “And our values are inherent in our traditions,” says Elsie.

As to the home that Hayes Barton Baptist Church is for the Jameses:  “Just like home, I never hesitate walking in here,” says Arthur.  “I walk in the doors and feel like I am home. I get up on Sunday mornings and know it is the place to be. It is a blessing to be part of Hayes Barton Baptist Church, and I never want to be anywhere else.”  Echoes Elsie, “This is our home forever.  Forever.”

A story about the Jameses would not be complete without mention of the family dogs in the household.  Otis T, a thirteen-year-old black lab, and Tudi, a nine-year-old boxer, are the current beneficiaries of the laughter and love in the Jameses’ home given that August and McCauley don’t live at home anymore.  I suspect that, as much as dogs can laugh, Otis T and Tudi are dogs that have laughter in the lives every day.  “Laughter is contagious” and being around Elsie and Arthur will make you laugh, for sure.  What a wonderful couple to have as a part of our church family.