There Goes Connie - A Christian Travel Blog: Trip info on Monday and devotionals on Friday.

Girls (and their Grandmother) Just Want to Have Fun

10/14/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

For five years now, Granddaddy (a.k.a. my Silver Fox) has been taking grandsons to an Auburn football game — first with 3 boys, then a couple of years with 4, now this year with FIVE. He has a gargantuan task, yet it’s one he embraces with his whole heart. They pile in the truck and drive for hours, arrive on campus and walk for miles, bake in the sun of the upperdeck, cheer until they’re hoarse, then drive for hours once again. Along the way, they make memories, laugh like crazy and eat at Waffle House, where, according to Sam “they give you free butter and syrup.” 🙂 In comparison, my job is a piece of cake.

For two of our children’s families, if their girls are allowed to visit, it means a free weekend for those two sets of parents. And, since those two girls have birthdays just 10 days apart, it makes perfect sense to celebrate here, get some birthday cash and spend a day shopping with Grandmomma (me!).

We put in some hard hours and literally do shop until at least one of us drops or until they spend all their money. Physically speaking, it’s an exhausting gig, but otherwise it’s pretty simple if we follow a few key principles. Entertaining pre-teen girls, after all, isn’t rocket science. 🙂

Let THEM make the plan. They know which stores have the products they most want, and the kitchen stores or home decorating stores that I might prefer are NOT among them. It’s THEIR day, not mine. On second thought, it IS my day, too. I’m alive. I’m physically able to keep up with these girls, and they actually WANT to spend this day with me. What could possibly be better?

This is what they presented to me as an itinerary for our day. Notice only one bathroom break. Also notice that several stores were to be visited twice.

2. Tune into the radio station they request and be rewarded with sweet singing. In Birti and Megan’s case, the choice was WAY-FM, the Christian station, and they knew every song. What encouragement to my heart!

3. Allow them plenty of time to look, think and decide. This may be the most important point, and it’s a luxury that grandmothers have over their mothers. Their mothers have many plates spinning, simultaneously, every day. Their grandmother doesn’t — at least for this one day.

4. They get to choose where, what and when they eat. Even if grandmother is a travel and food writer and blogger with a cute restaurant in mind to suggest, on this day, their preferences trump my own. They were intent on continuing their shopping when hunger pangs hit. Understandably, getting in the car and driving to a restaurant when a perfectly good food court was within sight just didn’t make sense. The food court won.

5. Throw in a fun surprise. This year I suggested pedicures, and they loved it. No boring colors for them, though. Only the brightest and wildest. 🙂

5. Applaud their choices and admire the fact that they wanted to shop AND still have money left over. If they keep this up, they will have happier husbands in the future.

Birti’s choices — also reflecting her preferences.

6. Savor the downtime moments. We got home in time for a dip in the pool, showers, then snuggling on the couch with pizza and the Auburn game on TV. Megan happily put her new Legos together, while Birti relaxed with her head on my shoulder. So nice.

Admittedly, younger granddaughters need much more guidance and supervision. With older granddaughters, you are lucky to get small snippets of their time and attention. Very lucky. Bear in mind that my EIGHT granddaughters range in age from 3 months old to almost 19 and a freshman in college. So, I’d say that these years between ages 10-14 are GOLDEN. I’m just glad to be a part of their lives at any stage.

Winning stores this year were at Parkway Place Mall and Target — Claire’s, Justice, Belk. Previous years have included Build-a-Bear and Bath and Body Works.

I’d love to hear what principles/suggestions/stores/activities you’d like to recommend, so I can begin thinking about next year.

Restoring Order

10/11/2019 By: CCPearson2 Comments

We had five grandchildren in the house recently for a weekend of fun, three boys and 2 girls ages 11-14. Big kids with lots of energy and ravenous appetites. There was not a cross word spoken. They were exceptionally polite to Steve and me. They slept well, played hard and ate everything I put before them. The boys and Steve headed to Auburn for a day of football, while the girls and I headed to the mall for a day of shopping. We all made it to Sunday School the next day ALMOST on time. 🙂

Now they are back home with their parents, and we’ve all added new layers to our stash of memories and to our relationships.

So, it’s time to restore order. My mind works best when there is order. And “order” is a biblical principle, after all.

1 Corinthians 14:40 – “Let all things be done decently and in order.”

1 Corinthians 14:33 – “For God is not the author of confusion (disorder), but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”

Kitchen and bedrooms need the most attention, followed closely by the bathrooms, the family room, the areas around the pool, the car and truck. You get the idea. Everywhere these young folks were, there is evidence. 🙂 Steve and I are happy to work together to put things back the way we both function best — when it’s just the two of us.

“In the beginning,” according to Genesis 1, God looked out and saw that the world was shapeless, non-functional, in disarray, and He set about putting it in perfect order according to His perfect plan. Within 6 days, the heavens and earth came into being, along with the sun, moon, planets, stars, oceans, dry land, plants and animals. Then, when everything was arranged exactly as required to provide for every need, He created a man and a woman. Go back and read the first 2 chapters of Genesis and notice how amazing God’s design and order were. God merely spoke the words, and everything came to be in the exact place they would function best.

Hebrews 11:3 – “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God . . . .”

As with all analogies, this one breaks down at this point. In the case of the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve sinned and brought chaos and disorder back into the world UNTIL Jesus came to give us the way to restore our relationship with God, to be forgiven for our sins and to have peace again. In the case of the visit from our teen and pre-teen grands, they might have messed up our “order” for a few days, but it is easy to put things back, and it is certainly worth the effort and energy to have had that time with them.

Anyway, I was just thinking about order and disorder this morning and wanted to share my thoughts. Is your life “in good order” today? Not only is your physical environment organized, neat, clean and attractive, but is your relationship with God in good order? Think about it.

Grumpy’s, Sun Cafe and Bentley’s at the Outhouse

10/07/2019 By: CCPearson2 Comments

In the span of just a couple of days, I tried three new eateries in Cullman, Huntsville and Hartselle that I’d never sampled before, all with positive results. In case you haven’t found these yet, I thought you might want to see some photos and read my thoughts.

Grumpy’s Italian Grill — 402 5th Street SW, Cullman, AL 35055

Grumpy’s Italian Grill is less than two blocks off of what I would call “the main drag” through downtown Cullman. As you’re traveling down Highway 31 from Hartselle, you’ll come to First Baptist Church on one side and the Cullman County Courthouse on the other. Turn beside the church and drive down the hill about a block and a half.

Grumpy’s is open every day except Sunday for lunch and dinner. I guess they would be overrun with church folks if they decided to open on Sunday. Or, perhaps they want to go to church themselves — which would be even better. The original owner was a granddaddy whose grands called him “Grumpy.” He sold the business to a young couple not long ago, but they decided to keep the catchy name.

Salads, pastas and pizzas are all very good if the aromas in Grumpy’s are accurate. Steve tried the spaghetti lunch special which comes with a salad. I tried the spaghetti bake, and it was delicious. I brought my leftovers home and enjoyed them again the next day. Homemade desserts are on tempting display, in case you have a sweet craving.

Apparently, Grumpy’s does a booming call-in and pick-up window business, so keep that in mind.

Sun Cafe — 930 Old Monrovia Road NW #3, Huntsville, AL 35806

In case that address doesn’t sound familiar, let me just say that it’s about two blocks from Highway 72 on the other side of the road from Best Buy, and you can see the fences of Top Golf from the front door.

Sun Cafe no doubt considers itself mostly “a sushi place,” and sushi is what my friends and I were looking for when we decided to have lunch together recently. I tasted eel sushi for the very first time and found it to be surprisingly good. REALLY.

Since I’m a big-time scallops lover, I chose the teriyaki scallops lunch for my meal, and it came with a choice of soup or salad and a side of rice. Very tasty.

Sun Cafe is clean and attractive. The service is attentive, and the prices are reasonable. Check it out when you’re craving Asian cuisine.

Bentley’s at the Outhouse – 200 Main Street W, Hartselle, AL 35640

Bentley’s at the Outhouse is on a busy corner in the center of town in Hartselle. The building is a large former furniture store where I had the privilege of buying furniture through the years and knowing the original owners, Sam and Lurline Minor. Great folks. It seems very fitting to have the vintage “Minor Furniture” sign as part of the wall decor, but I’m pretty sure Mrs. Lurline would not have liked the very prominent bar at the back of the main dining room. She was a gracious lady, a long-time member and organist at First Baptist Hartselle, and I enjoyed playing piano/organ duets with her for a number of years.

But, back to Bentley’s. I’m not exactly sure why they added “at the Outhouse” to the name, so I need to talk to the owner to find out. This is primarily a sports bar type of place with 15 large, flatscreen TVs located within easy viewing of every table and seating for up to 240 people. One corner is set up to host live musicians who are scheduled regularly — especially on weekends.

Basic burger and onion rings at Bentley’s.

The main thing you need to know about Bentley’s is that they serve amazing hamburgers. The basic burger is great, but they have elevated the choices to the next level. Consider a bacon/mac and cheese burger, a peanut butter burger with a side of jelly or a pizza burger, to name a few. Other sandwiches are offered, along with three different salads and a kids menu. THEN, there’s the matter of dessert. Oh my. How about banana pudding, a 7-layer cheesecake or a chocolate peanut butter cake? So far, I’ve resisted, but there WILL come a time or an occasion when I’ll have to sample one or more of these. The price of a burger may be double that of a Big Mac, but believe me, the taste and quality are at least three times better.

Bentley’s is closed on Sundays and Mondays but is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday.

Bobbie Wesson Made a Difference

10/04/2019 By: CCPearson8 Comments

Bobbie Jo Smith Wesson died last week. She was only 67, but her years made a tremendous impact on many people.

Bobbie will be missed the most by her husband Bob and her two children, Clay and Elizabeth. Her beautiful granddaughter Charlize will grow up only knowing her through photographs, but every time she struggles, someone can encourage her by sharing examples from her grandmother’s life.

Bobbie will long be remembered by the hundreds of kindergarten students she taught through her lengthy career. She loved them, learned all she could about the best ways to teach them and gave them a solid start on their way to becoming productive adults.

I remember when Bob and Bobbie started dating. The laughs were numerous when it was pointed out that her maiden name was Smith and his last name was Wesson. So many gun references. And, there was another man in our church with her same name, Bobby Joe Smith, who headed up the Boys’ Ranch at that time. Then along came this new Bobbie Jo Smith. We all had to be sure we were talking to or about the right Bobby Joe/Bobbie Jo.

Bob and Bobbie were a perfectly-matched pair. Both die-hard Auburn graduates and fans. Both devoted to their faith and to their families. Bobbie didn’t have any brothers or sisters, so she was immediately adopted and swept up into Bob’s group who were long-established in Hartselle. They enjoyed parenthood. I wasn’t around Clay and Elizabeth during their growing up years, but I remembered Clay as being very bright and precocious and Elizabeth as being so pretty and “all girl.” Bobbie loved showing friends Elizabeth’s wedding photos. Clay now lives in Oregon, and Elizabeth is in Birmingham. It’s clear that Bob and Bobbie gave them both strong roots along with the freedom to fly their wings.

Bob, Bobbie, Elizabeth and Clay Wesson — taken from Bobbie’s Facebook page.

Steve and I were landing in Ecuador to begin serving as missionaries the month that tragedy struck Bobbie. She had a massive stroke that greatly impaired her mobility and her speech. I heard about all of it via emails from friends back in Hartselle and remember adding my prayers to all of theirs. Her condition was very grave. It was a miracle she survived.

I only heard stories about Bobbie’s long, hard battles to regain some semblance of normalcy. It must have taken ENORMOUS determination and drive on her part to relearn the skills of walking and talking — even to the limited extent she was able to manage them. Yet, I must admit that the first time I saw Bobbie when we came back, I was shocked at the toll the stroke had taken on her physically. For 17 years more, she lived with the after-effects of that stroke, but all of us who knew Bobbie consider those 17 years as a gift.

Steve and I moved back to Hartselle in the summer of 2017, so I had the true pleasure of being around Bobbie again for two more years. Those years with Bobbie made a difference to me — just as the years she had with so many others must have mattered to them.

Every time I saw her walking into church, I was reminded to walk straighter and without complaining about any small aches or pains. It must have taken a Herculean effort for Bob and for Bobbie to get her ready every Sunday. Yet they were there consistently and faithfully. My efforts before arriving were pitiful in comparison.
Watching Bob’s patient, loving, kind care for Bobbie meant the world to me. What a stunning example of selflessness. It gave me hope that I could one day do something like that for Steve or him for me if our situations ever called for such care. Bob, if you’re reading this, you were (and still are) an unmatched role model for all of us.
I was in Bobbie’s home this summer, and she was in mine — thanks to the summer house church events that we have. We both fretted some over how many people to expect and what we might serve for supper. She chose chicken salad croissants, and I chose stuffed potatoes. Yes, Bob and her neighbor Susie helped a lot, but Bobbie was a gracious hostess, clearly happy to have all of us in her home. Again, a role model for me. She did what she could without complaining and with a generous, kind, gentle spirit.
Because Bob was in the same Sunday School class we attended, when the class went out for lunch once a month, Bobbie joined us. While Steve and Bob talked about Auburn, Bobbie and I talked about our children and grandchildren. She never failed to ask me about my children and marveled with me about the number of grandchildren I had. She was SO VERY HAPPY when precious Charlize was born and wanted so much to be a part of her life. My own mother died when my children were very young. Both Bobbie and my mom are clear reminders to me to treasure every time I’m with my grands and to invest in making memories.
Bobbie’s words were kind and affirming. I never heard her utter a negative comment. It was sometimes frustrating (mostly for Bobbie, I’m sure) to wait until she could get out the words she wanted to say, but EVERY TIME, it was worth waiting for. This morning I’m just wishing I had another time to sit and talk with her. I wouldn’t be in a hurry. I’d just want to wait . . . and listen . . . and soak in her kindness.

I am just one of hundreds who were blessed by the life of Bobbie Wesson and will miss her presence and her example of goodness and courage.

I believe Bobbie understood these verses better than almost anyone:

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:12-13

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” – 2 Corinthians 4:8

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” – 1 Peter 5:10

5 Foodie Finds in Downtown Cartersville, Georgia

09/30/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

When you arrive in Cartersville, a parking spot near the depot will have you within easy walking distance of the Bartow History Museum, Booth Western Art Museum, Cartersville’s Photo Fence, Friendship Plaza and Fence of Fame and a lovely specialty shop called Olive Tree and Vine. But, even better, you will be near five exceptional restaurants that would love to serve you.

TABLE 20 – 20 North Wall Street

Executive Chef Chris Lyons is responsible for a dish (Georgia trout) included in “100 Plates Locals Love” posted by Georgia Eats, plus he and his staff make up a successful team that led to a 2018 People’s Choice Award.

I personally tried a couple of great appetizers there — the beer cheese dip and pretzel, plus the deviled eggs. Both were very good. You’ll also find at least one pasta dish, steak, seafood and pork as dinner entrees. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the service is attentive. Their hours are Tuesday – Thursday from 11:00 to 9:00 and on Friday and Saturday from 11:00 to 10:00.

MAINE STREET COASTAL CUISINE — 24 W. Main Street

The spelling of this restaurant’s name is very clever. It IS on Main Street, but the menu and the inside decor suggest the State of Maine. Lots of fresh seafood is available for the folks in this land-locked town.

For many details, read the review I wrote in TheYums.com.

Maine Street Coastal Cuisine is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

APPALACHIAN GRILL – 14 E. Church Street

The menu here reflects the expected dishes of North Georgia with upscale twists. I particularly enjoyed the fried calamari and the smoked salmon spread served with garlic toast points for appetizers. And the Smoky Mountain Trout I had for my entree was wonderful. The portion size could have been shareable.

Desserts looked amazing. I restrained myself but will definitely try one on a return visit. Plan accordingly.

Appalachian Grill is under the overpass (or, they say under the bridge). It is closed Sundays and Mondays but is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday. You might have to wait for a table since they don’t take reservations. But, don’t worry. It’s worth it.

BRIDGEHOUSE CAFE — 10 E. Church Street

BridgeHouse, also located “under the bridge,” is actually both a cafe AND a home interiors/gift shop. Serving delectable soups, salads, sandwiches and flatbread pizzas for lunch from 11:00 to 3:00, they also offer a shareables menu from 3:00 until they close at 5:00. BridgeHouse Interiors stays open until 6:00 p.m. and opens an hour before the cafe.

You’ll love looking at the beautiful displays in the front and then walk to the back to place your order at the counter. A server will bring your food to your table when it’s ready. It’s a perfect place for ladies to meet for lunch with lots of shopping to do downtown before and after lunch.

THE CITY CELLAR & LOFT – 110 N. Museum Drive

I am not always a fan of live music while I’m trying to enjoy a meal — mainly because I am a huge fan of lively conversations around a table. But, the night I had dinner at The City Cellar, the musician was exceptionally good and had an extensive repertoire. I suspect they are in the habit of lining up quality musicians.

The City Cellar is located right beside the railroad tracks and directly across from the World’s First Outdoor Coca-Cola Wall Sign. You can’t miss it. They are open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday but closed on Sunday. The menu offers a good variety, but I’d say that the steaks are exceptional.

I’ve written a number of posts recently about the attractions, eateries and lodging options in Cartersville. Scroll back through and read them. Then, plan a trip soon. It will be gorgeous when the leaves start changing.

10 Fears with 10 Responses

09/27/2019 By: CCPearson1 Comment

I really enjoy following Thom Rainer, former CEO of Lifeway and now church researcher/consultant/expert, etc. etc. He knows a lot, and he has studied churches and church people a LOT. Recently on his website — https://thomrainer.com, he shared an article by Chuck Lawless entitled “Ten Fears For The American Church.” Lawless created his list after visiting with many international missionaries. Having been a missionary myself, this list and his conclusions really resonated with me. In bold print, you’ll find his fears, and underneath you’ll see my thoughts.

I fear we go through the motions without really experiencing God’s presence. Yes. The times I have had personal quiet times or sat in worship services are too numerous to count, but the times I have really experienced God’s presence during those quiet times or worship services could likely be narrowed down to less than 100. When I ask myself “why,” the answers (and convictions) come flooding in.
I fear we get too hung up on things that don’t matter nearly as much as we think. Amen, and amen again. Put your weapons down, people. The worship wars are over. All instruments can be used for praising God, and any lyrics that are scripturally-based are good, useful and edifying. And, “the way things used to be done?” Don’t even get me started. Let’s do whatever it takes to bring more people into the Kingdom of God.
I fear we think too lightly about persecution. I’ve seen families have their water source cut off when they became Christians in Ecuador, and a woman who let us inside her home to share the Gospel in South Korea was then accused by her neighbors and family of letting evil spirits come in. Then, there are our children and grandchildren in schools today, trying with every ounce of sincerity they can muster to live Christ-like lives. Many of them facing teasing and bullying.
I fear we think we’re the most important church people in the world. We are just as important to God BUT NOT MORE IMPORTANT TO GOD than church people in every country on earth. We definitely have more resources, but so many others do so much more with far less.
I fear we think too little about Bible study and scripture memorization. I remember the illiterate women in Kenya who sat on benches under a tree listening to Bible stories and drinking in every word. Many had walked for miles to get there and several had babies on their backs. When questions were asked at the end of a study, they not only knew the answers, their hearts understood the applications.
I fear we have little idea what power there is in prayer. In South Korea, we witnessed church people who came together at 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning to pray FOR HOURS before going to work. When I remember those people, I understand why there has been such a tremendous growth of Christianity in their country. My short, hastily-spoken “God bless ______” or “Please help ________” are words heard by God but lacking in the power they could have.
I fear we tolerate sin far too much. Turn on the TV and in less than 15 minutes, it’s there. Go to a non-church function involving groups of people. The words, actions, attitudes quickly observed are sinful practices that have been absorbed into our culture. And, yes, those include vulgar, distasteful cheers at football games. Tide and Tigers, I’m looking at you.
I fear we’re not providing enough practical training for young ministers and missionaries. Before Steve and I went to Ecuador, we went through 7 weeks of training at the Missionary Learning Center near Richmond, Virginia, but we were both in our 50’s, had been Christians since we were children and in church long before that. Some of the missionary trainees were still in their 20’s. They desperately needed mature mentors before going on the field, while they were there and after they returned. No doubt about it.
I fear we sometimes get in the way of missionaries on our short-term trips. Yes. Yes. Yes. SEVERAL times while we were on the field, we were in the throes of language study, culture acquisition or relationship building, and groups from the U.S. came with their own agendas demanding/expecting our time, attention and help with no plans to respect us, to listen to what we needed from them or to get out of their comfort zones. It was really appalling. By the same token, after we’d been there awhile and were able to recruit specific teams for specific assignments that fit with our strategy, volunteers were extremely helpful and encouraging. Attitude is everything.
I fear we don’t pray enough for missionaries. The prayer support we received from our prayer partners was absolutely VITAL to our survival. I can give many examples of near-disasters that were avoided, and we knew those were the results of praying people. I encourage you to get to know several missionaries and seek to understand their specific needs, then be faithful in lifting those needs to the Father Who will hear and answer.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 — “Pray without ceasing.”

2 Timothy 2:15 — “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.”

I’m so glad I had teachers to teach me and the motivation to memorize those 2 verses as a child.

What are your thoughts about the 10 fears listed by Chuck Lawless?

Barnsley Resort: Luxury Accommodations, Fine Dining, Skeet Shooting and More

09/23/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

For many, Barnsley Resort represents the ultimate in a gorgeous wedding venue with meticulously-maintained grounds, a colorful garden and historic ruins as settings for photographs, the ceremony and the reception. When you add the availability of great catering and plenty of accommodations for guests, you certainly have everything you need.

For families, Barnsley is a cozy place to bring people together, stay in comfort, eat amazing food and swap memories and stories around the firepits, while marshmallows roast for s’mores in the evening.

For sports enthusiasts, Barnsley represents a first-class partnership with Beretta and their exceptional guns for skeet-shooting and target practice. Safety is foremost on the minds of the instructors who make it a top priority for those who come to hone their skills.

“Pull!” 5 Barnsley guests take aim and get ready to fire from the shooting house. Photo courtesy of Barnsley Resort.

If golf is your preference, how about a Jim Fazio designed course encompassing 378 acres?

Hole 1 on the golf course. Photo courtesy of Barnsley Resort.

You might also choose horseback riding, disc golf, hiking, biking or boating on the lake. It is easy to see that all these possibilities make Barnsley a great place for a corporate retreat. Be sure to tell your boss about it. 🙂

For a girls getaway, the spa is a blissful indulgence, and the massages, body treatments, sauna, steam room and facials are designed to erase all your cares and stresses.

Lounge area in the spa. Photo courtesy of Barnsley Resort.

Couples treatment room in the spa. Photo Courtesy of Barnsley Resort.

Dining is exceptional. Woodlands Grill is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, while the Rice House is only open for dinner Thursdays through Saturdays.

Accommodations at Barnsley Resort can be found in the 55-room inn and in the cottages and estate cottages with varying configurations and number of guests. The inn was recently added to the property. The cottages all vary in style and colors making the grounds feel more like an upscale neighborhood than a resort.

Probably my favorite things on the property were the firepits surrounded by Adirondeck chairs and the complimentary ingredients provided for s’mores.

In the interest of full disclosure, I haven’t YET had an opportunity to spend a night or a weekend at Barnsley, but I did see the accommodations firsthand, walk the grounds, explore the ruins, visit the shooting stand and enjoy a fantastic brunch at Woodlands Grill. I will be gently hinting at this as a place to celebrate a special occasion wtih my Silver Fox in the near future. 🙂

Custom-ordered omelet and all the fixings.

I believe you’ll enjoy a stay at Barnsley Resort very much.

A Chance to “Do Unto Others” What Others “Did Unto Me”

09/20/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

Between the summer of 1998 and Christmas of 1999, the original Pearson 5 went into Wedding Marathon Mode. Yes. All three Pearson children got married between August 1, 1998 and December 18, 1999. It required notebook upon notebook of appointments, decisions and plans . . . and Steve would add lots of checks being written. Gulp!

In addition to choosing dresses, cakes, music, reception food, flowers, invitation styles and a million other details, both girls had their receptions at our house (requiring major landscaping work), and our son got married in Birmingham the week before Christmas. Whoa!!!

I believe that all three couples got what they were hoping for out of their special days, and my mind only brings back a few hiccups after all these years. But, what I’m thinking about today are all of the friends who contributed to the merriment with prenuptial parties and TONS of beautiful gifts.

There were engagement parties, bridal teas, family recipe parties, tea towel showers, tool and gadget barbecues, a Christmas brunch, kitchen showers, linen showers, bridesmaids luncheons and even a Sip ‘n See where friends were invited to come, drink a refreshing summer drink and oohh and aahhh over all of the pretty presents. Our friends were the ones who hosted these events, and they showered Steve and me with love and generosity, as well as our children. We were overwhelmed with their hard work and willingness to invest in our children’s happy times during those months. If you’re reading this, you know who you are. Please know how much I still treasure all you did in those months for our children.

Tonight a couple of friends and I are hosting a shower for a dear friend’s daughter. It feels really good to do for someone else — even if it’s just in a small way — what others did for me. The other hostesses and I have known the bride’s Mom and Dad for at least 40 years. We love the family dearly and hope we can make their daughter feel special.

The New International Version sums up Matthew 7:12 like this:

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

The Message paraphrase puts it this way:

“Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get.”

When Jesus gave us that command, He knew what an extraordinary environment it would create and how fulfilled we would be as a result of following it. As is true of everything He asked us to do, it was/IS for our own good.

I suppose I’m doing things backwards, in that I’m “doing for others” what was already “done for me.” So let’s just say that I still remember and appreciate (over 20 years later) how wonderful it felt to be the recipient of actions that demonstrated love, and I’m looking forward to pouring love on someone else tonight.

3 Cartersville GA Attractions for Recreation and Education

09/16/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

I’ve written about Cartersville sights, eats and attractions here, here and here. Now I’d like to share three more that make a visit to the area interesting and enlightening.

GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER PARK and PINE ACRES RETREAT

George Washington Carver Park on Lake Allatoona was established in 1950 as the first state park for African Americans in Georgia. This beautiful 345-acre property includes a manmade beach, picnic facilities, fishing docks, a boat ramp, playgrounds and a large event space great for family reunions, corporate meetings and wedding receptions. In 1956, a portion of the land was set aside for a black Girl Scout Camp and became known as Pine Acres Retreat. Currently, it is managed by the Cartersville-Bartow County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The lodging facilities are available for renting and range from platform tent sites to cabins for small and large groups. The camp has a swimming pool and buildings for eating and meeting. Reservations must be made for the cabins and the event venue, but the rest is open to the public.

A comfortable guest room available with reservations.

This historically-significant park has hosted Mrs. Coretta Scott King for church activities, Reverend Andrew Young and his family for skiing on the lake and Little Richard and Ray Charles for concerts. It is a contributing factor in the Civil Rights Movement.

TELLUS SCIENCE MUSEUM

If you’ve traveled on I-75 between Atlanta and Chattanooga in recent years, the large building housing the Tellus Science Museum likely caught your eye. It is open 7 days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is well worth the effort to find the nearest exit and pay the museum a visit.

The Bentley Planetarium supports the museum’s emphasis on space and astronomy, but other main areas of focus include transportation, minerals and fossils.

Also, on the grounds is a solar house which is open for tours Thursdays through Sundays from 1:00 to 4:00. Tellus recently celebrated 10 years of operation and welcomed its 2 millionth visitor. It is a source of great pride for Bartow County and is a wonderful resource for area schools.

ETOWAH INDIAN MOUNDS STATE HISTORIC SITE

Near the Etowah River, you can see (and actually climb to the top of) three large mounds, the largest of which is 63 feet high and spans 3 acres. A tour of the Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site will take you to some original Native American fish traps and a wattle and daub house showing typical home construction by the Native Americans between 900 and 1550 AD.

Before reaching the mounds, you will use a bridge to walk over what were called the “borrow pits.” Dirt was shoveled from these areas to form the mounds, and the resulting deep ditches or pits were used as defensive tools against invaders or unwelcomed influences.

The visitors center presents a range of exhibits with artifacts used prominently in that time period. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Come back next week for a look at a luxury resort near Cartersville that will have you making plans and reservations soon.

With ALL My Heart? Learning from a Braves Game

09/13/2019 By: CCPearson2 Comments

My Silver Fox and I enjoy following the Atlanta Braves baseball team. ESPECIALLY this year. Los Bravos are 8 games up in the East Division. Woohoo! That’s baseball speak for they are doing well, very well.

We sit in our preferred spots after supper at night and gaze at our embarrassingly large TV watching our favorites come up to bat. Freddie Freeman has been earning every penny of his $55 million net worth (at least in terms of the Atlanta Braves franchise) with his consistent hits and astonishing plays as the first baseman. Ronald Acuna, Jr. is the lead-off hitter for good reason. That boy knows how to get on base! Ozzie Albies is fun to watch. Dansby Swanson is easy on the eyes (ha), and Josh Donaldson has recently emerged as a heavy hitter.

Most nights we watch a few minutes of the Braves game, turn to an episode of something on Netflix, check the score of any football game that is remotely interesting, tune in to any late-breaking news, then switch back to the Braves. We stay cool, comfortable and have a snack or two within a few steps if we get the munchies. 🙂

Last week a much-anticipated trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina was cancelled because of Hurricane Dorian. I was disappointed and itching to go SOMEWHERE, so we decided to go watch our Braves in person.

I researched the best available seats IN THE SHADE, expecting a very warm night, and found some just a few feet past the first base line on a lower level with a great view of the entire ballpark. We spent quite a bit on tickets and a parking pass. (I’ll have to confess the amount before Steve sees the credit card bill. Gulp!) We drove to the stadium (after a delightful detour to Rome, Georgia to hug on some folks), found our designated parking lot and made our way into Sun Trust Park. What an impressive venue!!

Another “gulp” was spending $26 for 2 bottled waters, a hot dog and a serving of chicken and waffles (pretty unusual fare for a baseball stadium, don’t you think?).

It happened to be “Los Bravos Night” where they recognized the Atlanta Braves personnel from Latin American countries, thus lots of salsa music. 🙂 We got close up shots of some of our favorites during warm-ups and watched an exciting game with the Braves winning 4 to 3 over the Washington Nationals. To add to the merriment, the Friday night home game meant a big fireworks show. This particular show was choreographed to fit some of the most popular Latin hits. It was great!

Then, we joined the throngs leaving the stadium, walking to our cars and maneuvering through traffic (LOTS of traffic). We drove for about an hour, found a hotel, collapsed in bed, got up, had breakfast and made our way back home.

When we watch games at home, we don’t suffer a minute of discomfort (unless they have an “off” night and get hopelessly behind). But, when we went to Atlanta to watch the Braves in person, we had to quite literally “put skin in the game” — time, effort, discomfort (traffic, heat, lots of walking, less than plush seats) and, of course, MONEY.

We can casually say, “We love to watch the Braves.” But last week we said, in effect, “We love to watch the Braves enough to invest ourselves in going to a game.”

As often happens, a spiritual application came to my mind. How easily I say to myself and others, “I love God.” But what would it look like for me to truly love Him with ALL my heart, soul and strength? To really put skin into the focused act of loving God? I understand the concept when it comes to Steve, the kids and the grandkids. I am completely willing to put heart, energy, time and money into demonstrating my wholehearted love for them, but what about in my relationship to God?

Deuteronomy 6:5 — ” Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”

ALL your heart. ALL your soul. ALL your strength.

In Matthew 22:38, Jesus called it the first and the greatest commandment. So, why do I continue to wrestle with what that means in terms of everyday living? Is there a gap between loving God and loving Him with ALL my heart? If so, what needs to change in my life to authentically and absolutely fulfill that commandment?

More time spent in His word? More willingness to live with Christlike attitudes, thoughts, words? More sacrificial acts of service? More money given to Kingdom causes? More preparation of my heart before entering times of worship?

Or maybe it’s not a matter of more, more, more. Maybe it’s an issue of intentionality and becoming conscious of the motives in my heart.

That’s what I’ve been pondering this week. I’d love to read your thoughts.

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