Oom? Where did that come from?
"The Spare Oom' takes its name from a statement made in the classic book 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'. This is the first book in a series of books written by C.S. Lewis titled 'The Chronicles of Narnia'
The Lion, the Witch
and the Wardrobe
Written by C.S. Lewis ~ Illustrated by Pauline Baynes
Dedicated to Lucy
Barfield
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe follows the exploits
of the four Pevensie siblings Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter
in World War II England who enter the world of Narnia
through a magical wardrobe while playing a game of
'hide-and-seek' in the rural country home of an elderly
professor. Once there, the children discover a charming,
peaceful land inhabited by talking beasts, dwarfs, fauns,
centaurs and giants that has become a world cursed to
eternal winter by the evil White Witch, Jadis. Under the
guidance of a noble and mystical ruler, the lion Aslan, the
children fight to overcome the White Witch's powerful hold
over Narnia in a spectacular, climactic battle that will
free Narnia from Jadis' icy spell forever.
This excerpt is taken from Chapter 2 of
LWW
pleased to meet you, Mr. Tumnus," said Lucy. "And may I
ask, O Lucy Daughter of Eve," said Mr. Tumnus, "how have
you come into Narnia?" "Narnia"? What's that"? said Lucy.
"This is the land of Narnia," said the Faun, "where we are
now; all that lies between the lamp-post and the great
castle of Cair Paravel on the eastern sea. And you - you
have come from the wild woods of the west? "I-I got in
through the wardrobe in the spare room,' said Lucy. "Ah!"
said Mr. Tumnus in a rather melancholy voice, "if only I
had worked harder at geography when I was a little Faun, I
should no doubt know all about those strange countries. It
is too late now." "But they aren't countries at all," said
Lucy, almost laughing. "It's only just back there-at
least-I'm not sure. It is summer there." "Meanwhile," said
Mr. Tumnus, "it is winter in Narnia, and has been for ever
so long, and we shall both catch cold if we stand here
talking in the snow. Daughter of Eve from the far land of
Spare Oom where eternal summer reigns around the bright
city of War Drobe, how would it be if you came and had tea
with me?"
The Calvary Chapel fellowship hall at the former location
on Highland Avenue - right front corner - Hey look it's
Crystal - she was one of the first to volunteer to change
the room in a Narnian Landscape!
Right back corner, music is playing, Maya is behind the
counter probably fixing us all something delicious - boy do
we miss her culinary cuisine!
Front left corner, completely scrubbed and ready for
plaster.
Back left corner, shows the outside exit, where we spent a
lot of time sitting on the porch to rest our weary backs.
floorplan
This was the preliminary space plan, of course we later
found out, that, we would do whatever it took to fit
everyone in! A small intimate venue that was greatly
blessed by the Lord, with many attendees.
Now let's fast forward about 40 days later, hundreds of
volunteer hours, and we can hardly believe we are almost
finished...
John Coffey, resident artist, and designer putting the
finishing touches on the Wardrobe. Notice the block work in
the background, those babies were each hand finished by the
many volunteers - they came and went from early morning to
late at night. All worked diligently, plastering the walls,
measuring, drawing lines, painting a base coat, sponging
another coat, smearing another coat, adding another color,
adding the wash, adding some more color and then adding in
the shadows, and then hours and hours of line painting.
After all this was done, photos were printed and glued onto
select blocks and then the faux finish started all over
again, to make it look like the block was cut and the
picture lied within it... ....very mysterious.
Lisa, wishing John were here because she has no idea how to
paint like he does!
Pastor Chris, cheering us on, - it was very late, we were
trying to finish up in time for our first concert with Tom
Westbay.
We worked hard but didn't make our deadline, quite okay -
though, because Tom Westbay was incredible! It was an
awesome night of music and ministry! Remember the blue
chairs in the first photos? Yep, same ones! We had a slew
of volunteers, removing the backs and bottoms, scrubbing
the frames, making templates, tracing, cutting fabric,
pinning, sewing, stapling, and putting the backs and
bottoms back on - when all was said and done over 40 chairs
got a very nice makeover, and they are still holding up
strong! Can't forget to mention the table linens - we could
not find affordable wheat colored linens, so white linens
were purchased at Sam's club and then Maya, Emily and Lela
spent hours dying them in coffee - they came out the
perfect weathered color!
Nice shot showing the wardrobe, see the outline of the coat
on the left.
People arriving, it's so exciting!
Coffee anyone?
Volunteers in the kitchen serving up lattes.
Pastor Chris, welcoming everyone.
Tom, ministering with his amazing music.
Tom brings up his lovely daughter to sing a couple songs
with him, to be so young and yet so talented - the apple
didn't fall far from the tree.
Back to work...
John painting with the grace and speed of an eagle, and
Lisa trying to understand the instructions John is giving
her. John sketched his concept out on a piece of paper and
then drew it onto the wall very quickly. The painting went
quickly because John did most of it! Thanks John - you are
truly amazing!
The finished wardrobe, it came out quite nice, don't you
think? Notice the mic trying to pick up and transmit audio
from Narnia.
