7:40 AM – Checked out of Holiday Inn Express, Durham, New Hampshire. Never got my make up on. Wrote Siestas too long. Hair’s gonna need to go in a clip.
7:45 AM – Event team loads into a mighty caravan of minivans. Vans all have signs on them. Event team’s van says “Secret Servants” (i.e. Secret Service, get it?), Praise team sign says “Praise Corp” (press corp, get it?) and ours says (you better know that I didn’t come up with any of this. It was Rich) “Beth Force One.” We are the van with all the baggage. Oh, Lord have mercy. Is that ever an understatement. One of our vehicles is unmarked because it belongs to our coworker’s fiancee who joined us yesterday. Ron’s calling it The Decoy.
7:47 AM – Missed exit.
7:48 AM – Lost.
7:52 AM – In Maine. Not on our event schedule. Turned around.
7:57 AM – Finally made it back to bridge. As we drive up, bridge closes, lifts and lets tug boat through. Making good time.
8:10 AM – Starving. Got a lot of miles behind us. Road warriors. Stop for breakfast at The Friendly Toast…in Durham. That’s right. In DURHAM. We’ve not made it out of the city yet.
8:30 AM – Fantastic menu. Got served one of the best danged breakfasts of our entire lives. Nicest waiter I’ve ever had with a “Teardrops of Satan” T-shirt on. Ate well-done veggie omelet with fried country potatoes and HOME MADE thick wheat toast with a side of gingerbread waffles and pomegranate syrup.
10:15 AM – finally paid out and made it back to vans. Parking tickets on all vans. Went over our two-hour parking meter by five minutes.
12:00 Noon – Tooling down I-84 West well on our way. Looks like we may not make it to the Big Apple by lunch time. We only have 137 miles to go.
Miscellaneous:
Mad at Travis. He’s in other van with praise team and he’s baiting me. I rode in their van yesterday but am in van with Rich and Ron (our team member who does security) today. Trav sent me a cell pic of Dunkin’ Donuts bag. They stopped without me. They only stopped because they know I love it. They’re so mean. Right after that, I saw the Po-Po (Ron’s a former law enforcer and said that’s not disrespectful. I asked him before I printed it. I am a respectful law-abiding citizen who cries when she gets stopped for a traffic violation.) So I texted Travis and told him I hoped they got pulled over by the Po-Po for Dunkin’ Driving.
Sent Trav and team a pic of my open Bible and told them to read theirs.
Rested my eyes a little while. Whole back seat to myself. Heard Ron singing with the Supremes on satellite radio. Way out of character. Made me riotously happy.
Stopped at Tim Horton’s without telling praise team van. Got variety of donuts and fresh coffee which helps make up for the fact that it’s a tad on the weak side. Texted praise team a picture of donut selection. Eating and drinking without shame.
Dizzy.
Talked to all three of my family members. I never go to NYC without A&M if I can help it. Miss them so much. We’d shop until we had broken feet and had to soak them in the hotel bathtub. Miss my man, too. And Starzy and Geli. Talked to the dogs on the phone night before last. I think they are pouting at me. Didn’t say much.
Oh, and I forgot to tell you that on Sunday at the ranch, I stepped on a mesquite thorn. Went straight up through my shoe and into my foot. WAY INTO MY FOOT. Keith had to jerk it out. Three toes and top of foot fire engine red by next morning. Sore as heck. Told A&M about it and both of them swore I could get a staph infection and shamed me into calling doctor today. Have to take antibiotic. If, when I get up in the morning and go to the restroom, I look down and any of my toes are missing, I’m to hobble straight to the hospital no matter what town I’m in. The drama never ends.
Rich likes a variety of music. Just a few vocalists we’ve sung along with so far: Barry Manilow (he writes the songs that make the whole world sing), Olivia Newton John (she loves us. She honestly loves us. She’s not trying to make us uncomfortable. Not trying to make us anything at all), Dionne Warwick (she said a little prayer for us), Chris Tomlin (what a relief), the Eagles (good Bible lesson: you can’t hide your lyin’ eyes), Carly Simon (another good Bible lesson: you’re so vain. I bet you think this post is about you), and The Carpenters (good choice: Joseph was one).
12:30 PM – Driving past Hartford, Connecticut and waving to beat the band. Can’t wait to see you Friday!
Thinking about Delaware. DELAWARE. I can hardly believe we get to go there.
12:48 PM – Just saw sign. 98.6 miles to New York City.
1:03 PM – Just texted The Decoy and instructed our darling engaged couple to please go over their memory verses together. I feel they’ve been unsupervised too long. (They are such a handsome couple they could be on the front of a magazine. Nate is our young stage manager and the biggest blast to ever love Jesus. Raised on the mission field in Africa. Cool to the bone. His bride-to-be, Shelly, is active in our blog community. You’d know her if you saw her. If you were at the Siesta Fiesta, we mentioned that they’d just gotten engaged and we made her come up front and get a door prize. Beautiful girl who also totally digs Jesus. Already faithfully serves Him.) They text me back their verses. Clearly they are taking them out of context. I ask them to pull the car over and let me in. They don’t. But they laugh.
1:04 PM – Bored stiff.
1:07 PM – Giving way to vain imaginations. Dwelling on the last time Keith hurt my feelings. I’m getting madder by the minute. Why didn’t I get madder at the time?? Thinking what I should’ve said.
1:08 PM – Rich bored, too. Has now begun to sing really loud and off key (on purpose). It’s so terrifying that I’m startled out of my downward mental spiral.
1:09 PM – I love Keith so much. I wish he’d call me.
1:10 PM – Am now laughing hysterically at myself. Where is my medication? JK. Don’t write me about that.
I fear if I keep this up, I could risk digressing into the trivial (that even made me laugh) so I’ll sign off for a while and catch you up on our thrilling day in the Big Apple later. At this rate, a LOT later. You are a patient people.
10:35 PM – Yes, that says 10:35 PM. HOURS have gone by, People. HOURS!!!! You are not going to believe this but when I got back to my car after our NYC shopping extravaganza my computer battery was as dead as a door nail (it’s one of those long-lasting ones so it shouldn’t have been) and, hence, I didn’t get to give you a play-by-play all the way to Delaware. I think God thought you guys had been through enough. Of course, at this point only 5 of you are still reading the post and you are all related to me…and embarrassed for me.
SO, since God apparently got weary of my drivel, I’ll limit my comments on the rest of the day to a couple of paragraphs:
Our feet hit the streets of Manhattan by about 2:30. I got a hotdog at one of those sidewalk vendors immediately because I just have to. It’s not even good. Just necessary. Mustard and sweet relish. Then we grabbed some Starbucks and got focused. The team and I had no intention of wasting time at expensive stores. We wanted hip and CHEAP. So we hit a little boutique called “Strawberry” and totally scored. Kinda fruity but not seedy. Some really cute stuff and just the right price. All of us girls got something there. Two of us got the exact same pair of boots – I do mean DARLING boots – that had been a hundred and something dollars and they were marked down to $56. I also got a gray sweater and a…and a…let me go look in my bag…oh, yeah, a new pair of fuzzy slippers. That’s another story. I’m obsessed with this one pair of fuzzy slippers I’ve had a long time (I bring them on the road) and they’re nearly worn out. I call them “The Pinks” because, well, they’re pink. I’ve been really upset because I’ve known they’re on their last leg. Or foot. And I haven’t known what to do. I wanted an exact replacement and couldn’t find them anywhere. Well, today I found some in black. The Black Pinks. I’m so happy. I have them on right now. Especially after my thorn in the flesh.
The praise team and I then went to H&M and Zara. I did very minimal damage at either place but Trav, Seth, Stephen, and Nate made some fairly impressive investments in their personal wardrobes. I don’t think they call what they got “outfits” but they should. Well coordinated if I do say so myself.
After walking somewhere around 43 miles, we were famished and decided to seek out a great little Chinese restaurant. The kind NYC is famous for. Well, we didn’t exactly find one. We found more the airport variety where you walk down a line with an orange tray and get your soy sauce and hot mustard in plastic packs you have to open with your teeth. Alas, we were too worn out to resist. I’ll not name names but a character from Seinfeld was working the counter. She nearly scared me to death. I simply inquired with appropriate southern manners as to whether or not the Chow Mein was prepared with white meat. She yelled, “You having chicken broccoli!” So I had chicken broccoli. It was pretty good but I didn’t eat much of it. She’d given me the nervous stomach. She ended up winning us over. You had to respect her work ethic. Move ’em in. Move ’em out.
And the team and I sat at eight tables for two and laughed and laughed and laughed and laughed and laughed. Duets were sung. Combo dinners shared. Pictures were taken. Delirious. So happy to be together. So happy to be in Jesus. He brings people together who would never have crossed paths. I cannot express to you how much I love these people.
And, then, we loaded up the vans and began our several-hour excursion to Delaware. Checked in and started writing to you. And now I’m about to drop in the bed. This very day we’ve been in – count ‘em – SEVEN States. And every mile worth it.
Oh, Delaware, we can’t wait to meet you. God of laughter, friendship, community, come receive Your praise. And, Lord, thank You for humoring us today. I hope at least once we really got You tickled.
Tags: New England Nights, Rich Kalonick, Travis
I am laughing hysterically at the “Chow Mein” lady! I love those road trips. I’m needin’ one lately with my peeps from our Worship Team. We always end up laughing so hard we’re crying.
Thank you for sharing your play-by-play!
This post makes me smile really BIG!:) Ya’ll are silly:) The names for the vans are NICE:) Very clever:) Yay, I love it when I go on trips with other believers too. It makes the drive da bomb:)
Oh my, I hope your foot heals up good. That musta hurt. I would probably cry if the Po Po pulled me over too. Your pics are cute, fun times!:) Ya’ll are soo random:) You make me laugh Spiritual Mom Beth!:) No vain imaginations. Not good for anyone:) Lord, guard our minds from desctructive thoughts!! True, noble, praiseworthy thoughts!:)
Yay, good shopping experiences! Way to go Spiritual Mom Beth and crew! Gotta love those! Pink fuzzy slippers does sound comfy:)
I’m sure He was tickled by ya’ll-goofy things:) I gotta go to work before I’m late! Will be praying for you all!
Love in CHRIST,
katiegfromtennessee
Love your play-by-play! Makes me feel included. Have a great time the rest of the trip.
Jackie (AL)
Yes, I read every word of your post and it was so funny – it made my day — made me smile. Will be praying for your time in Delaware! Keep up the reports we truly enjoy them. We love you.
We know that God will be in you and with you for the remainder of your trip!
GG2002
I am lying on my sofa now for the 8th day recovering from knee surgery. Thank you so much for the wonderful comic relief! Praying for you in Delaware. May God be glorified!
We had a young man in our life who called the police “Po-Po” too. When I read that I LOL! I thought he was the only one. Praying for you!
Sandy
BETH – You are 17 kinds of cute.
The Pics are great and so much fun, it makes me want to just join you guys on the road.
What a blessing. What a gift!
Bible Study (Patriarchs) last night at church went amazing! What a special and safe community of women. Even if I have that moment where I talk to much, or say the wrong thing, or my answer is plain simple when I was really hoping for a profound one, I am safe and protected in the peace that we all are flawed, but we want to be there, for one reason.
JESUS!
It was so neat to have great dialogue over Hagar and Sarai and Abraham. History is awesome.
With much love,
Molly
Now I’m singing Watermark’s song…”Welcome to Delaware, I know you’ve traveled far and it’s a lot colder here than what you’re used to…” 🙂
Dearest Beth,
I believe you may be my lost twin sister. Our minds work alike. God also blessed me with a twisted sense of humor and generally poking fun at myself.
The only thing that makes me think that we may not actually be long lost twins is that you can eat hotdogs and donuts and still have the figure of an eighteen year old!!! I will be in prayer about this – why not me, Lord?!? why not me??? : )
I would also like to suggest that you ought to be eating HEBREW NATIONAL hotdogs as they “answer to a higher authority”! As an RN who has had food poisoning from a non-kosher hotdog, I highly recommend them!
Speaking of RNs I sincerely recommend that you have one with you on your trips and would love to apply for the position! I could make sure that you take your antibiotics as prescribed and soak your foot, etc. Please consider…
I have never understood why “sense of humor” is not one of the fruits of the spirit. I believe it is. You cannot have JOY without the Lord and girl, do you have JOY!!!
My children and their spouses (and my grandson!) live on the East Coast (Boston and NYC) so I thank you for being there. They walk closely with the Lord and have hearts for the lost. In fact, my daughter and her husband just returned from serving in Malawi, Africa, so he can attend a program at NYU.
A beautiful friend of my son and his wife who live in Boston, wrote a book about her journey to God that was just published. “He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not”, by Trish Ryan shares her very personal experiences and I believe does a great job explaining the gospel message to the lost. A fun, fast, informative read!
As a prolific author yourself, I need to thank you for your wise words that you share in them. They teach and bless us all.
May God continue to richly bless you all on your amazing road trip, keep you safe and energized. Please continue to share about it!
Love,
Kathy, a Michigan “fan”!
We need a Starbucks coffee named after you my dear!
Calling it “BethForceOne-Vanilla Latte”!
My most favorite post, ever. Thank you. You are a gift from God to me. I have no real mentors at this time, so you’re it. Thanks for keeping us all in the loop. Have a great time in Delaware.
I almost spit my drink out when I read “dunkin’ driving”!
It looks like y’all have had an absolute blessed blast!!
Oh Beth God has certainly gifted you with using words to tell a story. That is one thing I love about you… Like the “thorn in the flesh” comment, although I am sorry you were injured.
The pictures are adorable… They tell a story of their own.
Love ya, and hope that you end this tour with a bang!!! May God get the glory!!!
Well I loved the play by play of your day off. 🙂 Sounds like a perfect NY day.
The pictures are great!
Blessings,
stephaniek
Lvoe the play by play
Oh and the pics – love them!
The names for the cars that is just genius!
And I am so glad Shelly was able to join you and of course see Nate
Love her and the 2 of them together – AWESOME!
Oh and now I am totally craving donuts – sigh 🙂
Praying for you!
Kim
Beth you are just the cutest thing EVER….it must be a humbling feeling to see your name up on that sign?
Only in the NE can you go to seven states in one day. Depending on where you are in Texas, you can not even drive across Texas in one day. May the Lord bless you and your team as you travel to serve HIM and his saints.
Engrafted by His Grace-
Shonda
I cannot stop giggling every time I think about the comment that the 5 people reading this are embarassed for you. HILARIOUS! And how the singing startled you out of your mental downward spiral! Ha ha! I’m glad to know I’m not alone. : )
Oh my gosh…..what a post!! Love it!!! I laughed and cherished every line of it!! This makes us so close to you!! I'll bet A&M are not talking to you…unless of course you bought them something in NY!! Glad you got to have some fun while traveling….will pray for the meeting in Delaware!! Thanks for all the pics!! Loved um!!
Blessings,
Bible Bunny in No MI
loved. every. word
I grew up in a town in Pennsylvania about 1 mile from the Delaware border. Isn’t it beautiful??
Oh and perhaps you should have not done all your shopping…Delaware is sales tax free!
Love the play-by-play and the way your mind works. You my friend, no matter what your mama said, are really funny! Your poor foot! Ouch! Made me cringe just to think of walking on it. As for the dogs, they are finicky creatures are they not? They “talk” when you don’t want them to and don’t even utter a word when you ask them to. Go figure! Mad at you for not getting anything for me in NYC, and here I thought we were BFF! At least you could of sent a picture of something you Would Have Gotten For Me( or US, lets not be stingy) if you Were So Inclined. As for Travis- everyone knows that unless you preordered his Christmas Album, you have definitely fallen from grace. As far as I can see, he is trying to work his way to heaven (so not a good idea) by being nice to Boo Mama after insulting her on her birthday. At his age, he should know better! Wish me and some siestas were in the caravan also. We wouldn’t even have to have a sign. Or we could have something like, “Clean-up Crew” or “Moral Support Team”. I don’t know. Miss you like crazy, and jealous of of all the cool scenery you get to see and the leaves you are obviously collecting! Love you-
Lisa in Kirkland, WA
Precious pictures!!!! Rich, you are sooooo good.
It’s fun to see your security guy smiling. He is allllll business when he’s “on the job”. I think I saw him smile once in SA, but beyond that….nope.
Melana in Wyoming
Y’all’s traveling adventures sound like so much fun! Thanks for the funny little details… they make me smile the most!
I can’t wait to worship with you tonight in Delaware! Rock on!!
And thank you, thank you, thank you for giving a shout-out to the greatest show ever. “NO soup for you!” =)
I loved your post!!! It was great and I did read all the way to the end!!!
Thanks for making us feel like we were there!
Bethany in FL
Bethie,
Be sure and throw a bunch “Y’alls” at them folks (lol)
Jan
Beth…girl, you are a mess!! Or as my daddy would say..”she’s two messes”. I didn’t think I could adore you any more, but to give us such a fun play by play in my most favorite city in the us was just over the top. Whoo Hoo for LPL in all 50 states!!
I love you so much, Beth!! You are so very fun! You had me laughin' through this whole blog! I was so happy that you all got to have so much fun together, but I was a tad bit jealous too. 🙂 Sittin' in a restaurant and laughin' & laughin' sounded like TOO much fun! I wish that I was there with you. Also, I'd like to mention that you are so tremendously beautiful, inside & out! When I looked at the pictures that you posted, I was taken by how pretty you are! Your face is already pretty, but as my dad always told me, "It doesn't matter how pretty your face is if your heart is ugly". Your face is no doubt extra pretty because of your beautiful heart!! Be blessed, Beth! You are a jewel!
OMG! These pictures are hilarious!!! thanks for sharing this was fun!!
you crack me up! i just love you. you bless my heart. praying travel mercies over y’all.
blessings ~
NYC – no other city in the world like it! Glad you had so much fun in my home state.
I’m am praying for all of you there in Deleware to experience a fresh sense of His presence and power. I had so hoped to be there but God had other plans. Still, can’t wait to read all about it.
Blessings…
Melanie
Very funny post! I truly enjoyed it. I’m headed up from VA to NYC on Saturday to have a girl’s day with a amazing group of women…I was excited before but after reading your post I can’t wait! And I’m going to google “Strawberry” and may have to do some shopping!
I, too, read all the way to the bottom. Not sure what that says about me. Ha! But I loved every bit of it.
My favorite…Dunkin’ Driving…wonder if I could work that into a conversation some time.
Love you, Beth!
Loved your play by play Beth. It made me laugh numerous times! Praying you have a great day in Delaware!!
You are too funny Beth! Loved the Dunkin’ Driving comment! And the Po-Po… I’d never heard of the police referred to that way before… too funny!
I have never laughed so much…I love the whole strawberry boutique…what did you bring back for your lovely daughters and of course hubby….I am sure praying for ya and knowing you are doing awesome work.
love you siesta mama
Ps. I read all the bottom cause I felt like I was with you and I want to rock with you too
P/S
Oh yeah and I do remember Shelly commenting on the blog (and others) and I wanted to say Congratulations on your engagement!!
What a great post! Loved reading about all the details and I must say the pictures are FABULOUS!!!!
I loved every piece of that post! So cute… you all are hysterical… I love it all!
Praying for tonight! Emmy : )
i am not even going to pretend like i’m not jealous that you got to see my shelly!! two of my favorite people, you girls.
next time you come stay with travis we’re totally having a party…we will give him ample warning before we show up at his house with the party food and girly movies (you know…like we’ll call when we’re on the way) i’ll fly shelly down, and call kathy to come up from lenoir and we will have us some girl talk.
you and your girls in new york…i can only imagine…that city is surely changed upon every visit. 🙂 (and maybe minus a few pairs of shoes in its stores 😉 …oh the bargain shopping multiple women can do!)
Wow!! The pics are an added bonus. You need to make a scrapbook of Living Proof Live in 50 States with the fantastic pictures. You know us Siestas would buy it. We would!!
Thanks so much for sharing your lives with us. I feel like I just “know ya” through a post like this.
I would love to just happen down the street one day in my town and find you guys shopping… I would totally die!!
Keep on… I’m loving it!
Lynn
You need Twitter…not a better laptop battery. Then we could be with you through all your non-medicated moments.
April
I tried to pick my favorite paragraph but couldn’t do it. HILARIOUS! I would love to go on a road trip with you. We’d stop anywhere you want…twice!
Very Funny!!!
You made me laugh!!!
From Sunny California!!!
You know, I’ve always wanted to go to NYC. I’ve never been there. I’ve lived a mostly Californian existance, yet I have always felt that a part of my heart was stuck in New York City. I have no idea why…But someday I hope to go there and be reunited with myself.
loved it , and i read every word 🙂 i just want to know your secret for eating all that food and staying so slim. you must reveal 🙂
you are WONDERFULLY hysterical! i’ve had so much FUN reading your minute-by-minute updates. thank God for technology…
whew! i’m worn out just reading this! i think i’ll go take a nap! what fun! i LOVE adventures!!!
From 1 Texas gal to another “yee haw”!! I love to read the blog, and see what your latest adventure is. Although I’m embarrassed to say I don’t really know who you are or what this god stuff is, you seem to have fun with it. That’s all that matters! Keep up the adventures!