Hey, Siestas! Well, I’m sitting right here in Terminal B at George Bush International in Houston, Texas about to head to Nashville, Tennessee to Rich’s wedding! Those of you who are not familiar with Rich may not realize he’s one of our all-time best Miestas. He’s the one who prepares all our slide shows from the events. Glance down a couple of posts and you’ll see a picture of him and his bride-to-be. My sweet, sweet relationship with that young man is one of those kinds of things only God could contruct. YEARS ago the event team at LifeWay realized they needed all hands on deck and could use somebody whose entire job at events was to get me where I needed to go. At that time, one of the event team members had a little brother (he seemed about 15 at the time but that’s a slight exaggeration) that was available for a little part time job. That was my dear Rich. I cannot even express what a fun friendship developed between a middle-aged Bible-beating woman and a young man still trying to figure a few things out.
I have watched Rich grow up. Laughed my head off with him. Prayed for him. Worried over him. Celebrated with him. Mothered him. Mothered him. And mothered him. (He’s got a fabulous mom. I’m just a maternal hormone waiting to happen so I’ll happily even mother the well-mothered.) Was around when he got serious about his first real Bible study. Was around when he first got his heart broken. Was around when his beloved grandmother went home to be with the Lord. Was around when God began to start making a photographer out of him. Was around when he first used the “L” word about a young woman named Gretchen. I nearly died. I knew he was serious when he DIDN’T tell me not to get overly excited about it.
I love this boy.
This man.
And his gorgeous, smart, godly bride. I so approve. Not that I had to – he was dead set on marrying her – but I’m blessed to say Rich would have wanted me to.
And I will have the privilege, along with my good buddy, Travis Cottrell, to be part of their wonderful, blessed wedding ceremony tomorrow. The Cottrells (all of them I hope) will pick me up at the airport and I’ll stay in their blast-of-a-home just like Trav stays in ours when he can.
I got a text from Rich early this morning. I just pulled my phone out and propped it on my lap so I can dictate it straight to you since it involves you. It says, “Thank you for your prayers from your family and siestas. This week God has put a calm on everything. He is so good.” Yes, Rich, He is. And He has so often been good to many of us through you.
If you heard my phone ding, that was Travis sending me a text. We’re getting pretty excited. They’re just about to call passengers on Flight 2474 to Nashville to board. I loved spending these few minutes in the airport with you. I hope the onions weren’t too strong on my Schlotzsky’s Medium Original.If this post seems a bit disjointed, I have stopped and started a lot while having the privilege to say hi to several people. And then I realized I had the continent’s biggest fleck of pepper between my front teeth. I hate myself.
Y’all know good and well I love you. No time to proof. Deal with it.
Tags: Rich Kalonick
How neat so sweet. God bless you all.Be safe.Victoria Reidsville NC
Mama Siesta, you crack me up! I am excited for your wedding trip and praying for your travel.
Blessings
Michelle
You are delightful Beth. Thanks for keeping it real.
I wish I was going to Nashville too. My son and his beautiful bride live there. Say hey for me.
thanks for sharing the wedding with us. Beth, I am so sorry about the pepper. Sorry but I did laugh. I have been there so many times. Much love to you the, the and the whole rest of ya’lls crew
Only God can orchestra such a post from an airport – with the pepper fleck. Please give Rich and his bride an awesome blessing from all of us in Siesta land. Enjoy it!
Kim in Apex, NC
Whenever I meet someone I admire, I usually have a piece of lettuce on my teeth and a strand of hair challenging me in a duel of wills.
Have fun, we love you too Mama Beth!
Beth – I’m notorious for getting stuff stuck in my teeth. Hate it.
You have a blast at that wedding and shed a few tears. Every special person in our life deserves a few tears shed on their behalf.
If you mother the well-mothered than I need your help. I have had my heart broken a little over a year ago and I still ache inside when I think about it. I don’t know how to move past it. For the first time I just can’t seem to shake this feeling of “I Don’t Care.” He is at my work and after years of what I thought was a romantic friendship if not growing into more, he all of sudden got back together with his ex (who had been gone from his life and the life of their then 9 year old son – she left them when he was almost two) and he informed me she was pregnant with another boy. I realize this seems stupid and taht its hard to know every detail of this but I don’t know what to do. I’ve been praying, I just can’t seem to feel anything but broken. I am sorry to post something so excruitiating – I just needed you to know I guess.
Siesta OC
You are so precious! So funny about the pepper… I love it! : ) I have had Rich on my heart today! Praying for you all!
Emmy : )
We love you too–pepper and all. Have a fun weekend!
I pray he and his wife are blessed by God in a big way as they serve Him and are witnesses to those around them.
Have a BLAST as God showers his blessings on this sweet couple! So enjoyed getting to say hi to Rich at the fiesta.
And about the pepper…that just makes you a real-deal kinda gal. One we love like crazy. And I so would’ve told you about it if I had been there. :o)
Big hugs,
Melinda
Only you can make me laugh like this through a stinkin blog….for crying out loud!!! I needed this – “the continents biggest fleck of pepper in my teeth” I love it! …………… ok, I’m back from checkin my own teeth. I’m good.
Have a blast at the wedding.
Much love!
You are such a gifted writer Beth! You talk like you write and that is really cool beans, coffee beans! 🙂
Great to see you always!
Love, Allison
This is exactly why we love you so!!! Especially with pepper in your teeth, typing away to your beloved siestas while eating your peppery sandwich in an airport terminal….we don’t mind!
I know many a siesta who would welcome your mothering (me for sure!) and in a way….you absolutely do mother us and we are grateful sweet mama!
Give Rich all of our love and take some pictures so we can see!
Have a wonderful weekend!!!
I love you and I love your wacky posts. love, Love, LOVE!!! Have fun at the wedding!
Rich and Gretchen will have an awesome ceremony with his friends, buddies,co-workes but more importantly known as the Siesta & OTHER Miesta in the gathering. How awesome is that? AWESOME!
Love ya guys,
Yolanda
This siesta is praying today! Praise the Lord for the union of His children!
Pepper on the teeth, bummer. Check for spittle too.
First thing I did this morning when I got up was prayed for Rich and Gretchen.
Have a fun, wonderful time, sweet Siesta Mama!
Melana in Wyoming
You are absolutely precious, Mama Siesta! I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who gets something stuck in my teeth at the most inconvenient times. Have a blast in Nashville and come home with great stories to tell!
And to the Anonymous Siesta OC…My heart bleeds for you, I am praying for you, that God will heal your broken heart. He is our hope, our joy and our song.
With much love,
Kara
Wow, what a FUN weekend you will all have together!
I pray His blessings on everyone, for safe travels and good health the whole weekend.
And for a wonderful marriage that’s starting… how awesome this time is!
much love,
lavonda
Oh I am so happy for sweet Rich!!
I will say one thing…you have mothered me through everyone of your bible studies over the last 10 years!! Thank you!!
Also, if you ran into a siesta and they didn’t tell you about the pepper shame on them…I thought we were all close like that…LOL
your great! i just love reading your posts, they always put a smile on my face! THanks for helping us to feel like we are right there with you! have a great time 🙂
Hope you have (or by now had) a wonderful time at the wedding! Give Rich and his new wife a big hug from all of us siestas! Hope some pics will be posted from the event.
Give our other favorite miesta Travis and his family a big hug from us also!
Much love!
Kristi B.
don’t you just hate the pepper thing – second only to the spinach thing that leaves me looking like the hillbilly that i really am. love you, beth. ya’ll enjoy your wedding. Bebe
Enjoy the wedding-what a great guy to mother and mother some more!
And forget about the pepper, whoever you were talking to was probably so excited about getting to see you in person, they’ll never remember it and MAYBE never even noticed the pepper!! lol
Remember all of us Siestas if they play “We Are Family”!! We’ll be with you in our tho’ts.
Beth,
You are just the sweetest thing. So blessed by your sharing this afternoon.
Quiet house, quiet day… Too much time to think on the fact that my hubby is not here and will likely be gone a few months. Good news – he got his own hotel room so when he gives the all clear I’m heading down for a visit. FOR SURE!
Well… Love you, praying for traveling mercies and a blessed time for all —- You are a joy to us Mama Beth. Hug those Cottrell young ‘uns and Travis’s lady for us and tell Rich many congrats from the siesta crew. We love and appreciate you all so much.
HUGS!
Michelle
You are so funny, Beth! Much love and prayers for Rich and Gretchen… and for you too as you travel and enjoy your weekend. Ever wonder why God made teeth such that they ALWAYS catch the pepper, spinach, etc.? He is probably chuckling at your blog post too. 🙂
I didn’t get a chance to comment on the previous post about Rich, so all I can say now is AWWWWW!!! I love how God writes love stories…and friend stories. I’m praying this wedding is a sweet time for all and the marriage a great time for God to be glorified through two precious young people!
Our Dear Beth………We do love you so.
Becky
Hey all…
I had the privilege of meeting Rich in Louisville and what a nice, nice young man. He does take the most beautiful pictures I’ve ever seen. I’m thinking I may head to Nashville and have him take a few of my boys! 🙂
I pray God’s richest blessings over Rich and Gretchen. What a wonderful life they are about to take on together.
Hugs and blessings…everyone have so much fun!
Fran
Hope ya’ll had a great time at the wedding. If you’re staying with Travis, you had better be careful because he will try to feed you Combos and onion rings and make you do his kids homework, lol. Have a great weekend!
Cindy in Weaverville
Dying laughing (and enjoying it)
Blessings…in all the biblical sense of the word upon Rich and Gretchen – and the Moore and Cottrell family time
PS – 140 DAYS… a girl can count can’t she??
You are something else, Beth!
Sorry about the pepper between your teeth! I hate it when that happens…
I hope you are enjoying the wedding and The Cottrell’s
Oh I do love weddings! Take lots of pictures.
About the pepper thing – happens to the best of us dear Beth! I believe it has something or other to do with humility? 🙂
Thanks for the wedding update.
We are on our way back from a B&B at the Lake of the Ozarks. (Girlfriends Scrapbooking weekend!)
We love you, black speck in your teeth and all! 🙂
Blessings,
Jaycee & Hiker-mama
I LOVE YOU and the way your heart works. It is the way the Lord has worked in mine!
He is Awesomw!!!!
Love Ya
Judy
Thanks, Beth, for taking the time to give us a peek into your “everyday”. I always smile if not outright laugh everytime I read your posts…take care and have a blast this weekend..
You’re the best…just so like me…and all my friends. I love it!
You crack me up! I so love it! Praying God’s continued blessings on Rich and Gretchen. Safe journey too.
love-n-hugs,
Ha! The pepper sounds like something that would happen to me!
Leslie
Mama Beth you are a hoot! We will keep you in our prayers as you travel. Please tell Rich and his bride how proud we are for them. God Bless!!!
I am so excited fro Rich and Gretchen!!
It is going to be a great wedding and I just know God will be smiling down on the 2 of them
Have fun and enjoy your time with the “family”
BTW: It never fails that I talk to people with something in my teeth or on my face – good times – hehe
Blessings
Kim
HAHAHAHAHAHA…laughing too much. I was recently in a business meeting and had white trousers on (before Labor day mind you!), and a blue and white striped blouse, and navy pumps…I thought I was looking fine. HOWEVER: I felt a breeze in an uncommon place and looked down and my zipper was completely OPEN (read: WIDE OPEN!!!meaning you could see my underwear and my tucked in blouse completely)…needless to say, there wasn’t a very graceful way to simply “haul off” and zip up…SO, I tried to roll my chair under the conference table, so I could hopefully extend one hand downward to take care of my “clothing challeng”…didn’t work…all with two CEO’s and 2 MD’s in a meeting…Let’s just say it humbled me…
SIESTA OC: I am praying for you. I just completelty surrendered a desire and longing for someone I work with. Yes, it was hard, and Yes painful, but God was, and is, SO GRACIOUS. He has completely given me peace. Obeying Him, means loving Him, and letting HIM decide what/who is best for me. I don’t say this lightly, as I know the pain and “heartship”, but I do know He can rescue, He can reassure, He can provide, He can bless, and He can heal.
One of the verses God gave me was:
Psalm 16:5,6 “LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.”
God reminded me that what He has provided (assigned); and what He has secured for me (His will and His blessing); and the boundaries He gives (as in NO you don’t get to love someone you directly oversee; and NO it doesn’t matter if other Christrians tell you it’s OK, because it isn’t!…that’s the boundary thing!); and HE will provide a delightul inheritance (give me wonderful blessings that are better than what I “had to give up”!)…so I’m praying SIESTA: Hang in there!
🙂
I am so excited that you will be part of the wedding. God bless Rich and all of his family, future family, and “adopted” family.
-C.J.
Rich and I had a conversation about weddings in San Antonio – specifically photographing weddings. Now I am thinking I should not have said some of the things I did. LOL
Rich and Gretchen – may God richly bless your marriage!
Randomness is the e-mail I just sent one of my best friends. I love that you consider us your friends and when you are random we all feel so close to you. Love on them all and I know you will have a few good lughs to share after staying with teh Cotrell’s.
Don’t have time to proof I have got to nurese the baby and then get my behind in bed before it is time to nurse again
The pepper comment cracked me up. LOL! Thanks for sharing the wedding with us! Have loads of fun for us all! Love you mamma Beth 🙂
You are the cutest thing I have ever seen!