Yesterday a really nice dude delivered the most beautiful red box to my door (looked like new shoes, was hoping it was new shoes) with the words “Edible Arrangements” on the outside of the card. The inside had a fun note from Travis and Angela saying how happy they were that I was coming to the taping of his new worship CD this weekend. I can hardly wait. I am so anxious to get back with my team and I also get to see my baby girl – and, by the way, Georgia Jan! I opened the box to behold the most beautiful array of big, fat strawberries and quarters of green apples you’ve ever seen and each dipped (maybe even double-dipped) in dark chocolate.
It’s sort of a joke between us. You see, I hate fruit. I don’t know why. I just never developed a taste for it. For one thing, it was expensive to buy for a family of eight and my family growing up not only didn’t have an extra dime. We could have used somebody else’s. We mostly ate Twinkies and Ding Dongs because they came in a family pack. I think I started the chocolate-covered fruit thing with the Cottrells several years ago when I sent a package for Travis’s birthday. I thought it kinda cleverly described our two families. They love fruit. We love chocolate.
Anyway, the only reason Travis Cottrell eats remotely healthy is because of his wife. I have long said that the greatest proof of God’s love for Travis beyond his salvation is Angela Cottrell. She is Wonder Woman. Years ago when she may have been at the summit of her culinary health-consciousness, I got to stay in their very sanguine home. Jackson, their oldest (middle schooler now, and, yes, where we came to love that name), was really young. Maybe five. Levi wasn’t even a twinkle in his parents’ eye yet. Jack and I were sitting in our pj’s at their breakfast table and Angela announced, “Beth, since we have company this morning, I’ll fix pancakes!” I was elated. I adore Angela Cottrell and would eat anything just to sit at the same table with her. She is one of my favorite women in the world to muse over God’s Word with. But, we weren’t having Bible study that morning. We were having breakfast. And, to be honest, I’d anticipated that we might have something like granola and soy milk and we’d chug it down with barley green. (I’ve witnessed this very phenomenon at their house a number of times.) I think I’ve told you somewhere along the way that I was raised on Jimmy Dean sausage, burned to a crisp, and cheap canned biscuits for breakfast. (Still love it. Had that very fare within last 48 hours.) Pancakes. I couldn’t have been happier. Then out came the whole wheat flour from the cupboard. Hope deferred.
Oh, but the company was good. Jack and I talked a million miles an hour. When he was little, he thought my first name was “Bethmoore.” He called me the whole thing like it was just one word. It was terribly endearing and made me smile every time he said it. (I still love Jack. He was my handsome, very polite and engaging date to a wedding in Nashville not very long ago.) We talked it up while Angela flipped whole wheat pancakes and I got hungrier and hungrier. Finally, she put a plate down right in front of me, stacked three-high. They looked a little odd. Kinda like someone had spilled the Quaker Oats in the frying pan and she forgot to wash it before she poured the batter. I was raised with too many manners not to eat what my host set in front of me and, anyway, my stomach was growling so loud that their wiener dog was practically growling back. I took my first bite.
And they were incredible. I couldn’t believe it. Listen, this is a woman who feels pious when she eats wheat bread and if I drink a bottle of water, I tell everyone all day long that I did. They don’t care but I tell them anyway. I mean, stinking incredible. My plate was empty long before Jack’s pancakes were even on the table. I looked at him while I was eating them and said, “Jack, these pancakes will change your life.”
“No, they won’t.”
“Yes, Jack, they really will. I’ve never tasted a pancake this good. Your mother is the best cook in the whole wide world. I’m serious. These pancakes will change your life.”
“No, they won’t, Bethmoore.”
“Yes, Jack Cottrell, they really will. They will change your life.”
About the time I swallowed my last bite, Travis hollered at me from the other room and told me that if I didn’t get with it, we were going to be late. (Don’t even remember now where we were going. I think I had a flight home.) I hopped up, thanked Angela, probably kissed Jackson on the head and shot upstairs before he even got his pancakes. Angela said the kitchen was silent for a couple of seconds. Then that precocious boy said, “Bethmoore makes me hungry.” We’ve howled about it ever since.
I know that’s random. I don’t even know why I wrote it. I think because I have HONESTLY eaten more fruit in the last 12 hours than I have ever eaten in my life. And I feel high. Do you think it was the fruit?
Or the chocolate?
Gotta go. Sausage and biscuits almost done.
I love y’all today.
Bethmoore,
YOU ARE SO REAL. Thank you for bringing the WORD so hard and fast and true, but never being too perfect or unapproachable. You are so … you. God wrought, humble, servant-hearted, funny, smart lady. So glad I get to hear from you and learn from you!
Blessings on your biscuits-in-a-can kind of day.
I’ve already posted once, but I just had to add that my 9 year old daughter came down this morning asking for pancakes. We do whole wheat usually (drizzled with agave nectar-mmm), but we occasionally splurge (like for sleepovers) and have “Aunt Jamaica” pancakes as my daughter calls them :).
Bethmoore it was the chocolate and yes I believe you make us all hungry.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6 NKJV)
Everyday Beth we are being filled through your LPM Blog and Bible Studies of the Word of God
Love you too!
Man you can make me laugh! And you write like there is no tomorrow. Somehow whether you are writing about God Almighty or whole wheat pancakes – in the end I still feel blessed.
Love you to pieces.
Geri K.
Beth,
Thank you for sharing such an endearing and hilarious story! It made me love you and the Cottrells even more. Sure wish that I was going to be in GA this weekend with you, but will be praying!
Much love!
Tara
The thing I love about this blog Bethmoore, is catching a glimpse into your every day life. It is constantly an encouragment because it reminds me there is so much joy in following Christ. Is there any chance Angela would let you post the pancake recipe?
so funny, thanks for sharing. it reminds me of my favorite 3 year old, who when he was learning to talk called my husband (carson) car-car, and pronounced my name (holly) hottie. i was kinda sad when he started pronouncing our names correctly!
Bethmoore, you make me hungry, too!
I haven't eaten a bite of food or had a drink since midnight because I've got to go in for a small surgery today. It's not a big deal and I'll be home, Lord willing, and on the mend by 6:00 this evening. But. I'm so hungry, my tummy is growling. When I saw the new post was called "Fruit Dipped in Dark Chocolate," I thought NO! I can't read that right now. I did anyway! And it made me smile in my heart!!! You are a BLAST — you're too much (in a wonderful way) and I love you!
Btw, I started Esther on Tuesday and I know God's up to something. I can totally relate with what Nathan, Stephanie, Trevor & Cody said, we started ours on inauguration day and I was struck by the irony with the background set. (And I loved the quote from a siesta about bringing back panties. YES! For heaven's sake, YES!!) I was "assigned" to a group of women who have done previous studies together and know each other and are well-bonded. I'm trying not to let that fact bother me.
Have fun at the CD taping this weekend!
Thank you Miss Bethmoore for sharing that story. Its a rainy, dreary day hear in Utah and I needed some mental sunshine!
(and it was SONshine to boot!)
A Utah siesta,
Leslie
You kill me “bethmoore”….to see the world through your eyes and is a very precious gift and joy!
I so love it when your random.
Still howling,
theresabradford
I remember you telling that story on one of your teachng CD’s I loved it then and I coined your prase “THIS will change your LIFE” I love it – how precious.
BUT Bethmoore – pancakes may change your life a little BUT your teaching of the Word has CHANGED MY LIFE FORVER!!! You are precious to me – fruit an all 🙂
Okay, Bethmoore. We had a new granddaughter this year named “Scout Georgia”! She is the smile in our eye! Blessings on your family with your own “Georgia Jan”!
Thank you for making me smile with the pancake story. My kids grew up praying for white bread to miraculously appear in their lunches instead of what I sent! :o)
I too would love to have Angela’s recipe for whole wheat pancakes!
I have been praying that God would give me a love for fruits and vegetables because I want and need to eat healthier. Spiritually, emotionally, physically–He made me; He can transform me.
I love your stories! Thanks!
Many blessings,
Jan
I always say “Beth Moore” too. Everyone should know by now who I’m talking about if I say “Beth.” 😉
I love those Cottrell stories. The Lily Kate story you share in the Esther study about Cinderella is too cute!
Bethmoore makes me hungry too….
hungry for the Word! Thank you for that!
Oh… I’m all about biscuits, sausage, gravy, bacon, scrambled eggs with cheese etc. etc.
I’m trying to be more healthful during the week and am gagging down oatmeal. 🙂 but I treat myself on the weekends with some real food.
Be blessed and enjoy your time with Travis and his family AND your daughter.
Love ya lots,
Valerie
Oh, Bethmoore…is it any wonder we love you so!? What a great story. = ) The only thing that could have made those pancakes any better is…you guessed it…chocolate!
Sounds like you have an incredible weekend lined up…can’t wait to hear all about it!
Hugs,
Tracy
Hilarious!! This actually sheds a lot of light on why I'm not a huge fan of fruit. With the exception of these apples they sell at Sam's Club around Christmastime. They are dipped in caramel and then in chocolate and rolled in either m&m's or drizzled in white chocolate. Not even kidding. They cost TEN dollars. For an apple. Who in their right mind would pay TEN dollars for an apple??? Me. That's who. It's the only way I'll eat them. Love you much!
I love your little stories, they are wonderful PICTURES of everyday life!
luv ya Beth ;o)
Okay…I might be crazy! I thought in your post you were telling us your new baby’s name will be Georgia Jan, so I talked out our Scout Georgia. After rereading your post and some comments, I’m thinking I mistook what you said, and maybe Georgia Jan is a friend you’ll be seeing. In any event, I love you and your stories, and you will be blessed by Baby Girl Jones, and I will be blessed by our little Scoutie! :o) Love you, Bethmoore!
Edible Arrangements has the absolute best strawberries I’ve ever had and when dipped in chocolate – well, it just doesn’t get any better!! I’m thinking of sending myself some….
Oh What a JOY you are!! I too was raised on Jimmy Dean sausage, biscuits and we had (skinny water & flour based) white gravy. As a matter of fact they are having chicken fried steak & mash potatoes as the Chief's Special here at the Naval Officer's Club next week on my Navy Base. Trust me the O Club opens at 1100 hrs and I being a good mid western girl will be ther at 1059 hrs so that I can be first in line!! Thanks so much for sharing your stories with us, it truly makes us know that you are human just like the rest of us. Starting your ESTHER study in a week on Mondays and just can't wait. It was God ordained for a time just as this. How did you know so many months ago how our nation was headed except by God's leading (Psalms 139:16). Thanks for listening and then teaching the rest of us. That is why I just can't go a month in between with out your studies so I listen to them on my computer during the day at work (Naval Financial Analyst in So Calif). When I start a new study of yours I purchase the audio CDs so that I can go to study on Monday and then listen to you tell me the same thing again for 4 days in a row at my office, while I am doing my lessons at night. By the next week's study I have finally gotten it and am able to use it in my daily encounters and walk. Keep it up girl, know that we are praying for your daily. You are truly being used by God, if for no one else but we and it is working and changing me and I am able to share it with the ladies that I minister to as I am an Assistant Women's Ministry leader in my local church and need it as each days "God Winks" and "Devine Appointments" arrive. You help me to be prepared and understand even more down to a grass roots level the word of God and how to apply it in my daily situations and encourage my sisters. Lord continue to Bless and Guide you Dear One!!! xo xo xo
Great story, now I am hungry too, of course!
I will be at the event this weekend, so I look forward to seeing you there!!! Although I am a little embarassed to admit this, I have been trying to win “meet and greet” tickets all week from the local radio station. Actually, I just dialed in about 30 minutes ago…no luck:) I’ll wave at you from my seat!!
Love,
Kristin
Your 1st name isn’t Bethmoore?? 🙂 I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE fruit dipped in chocolate…when we see a fondue thingy at a wedding or party, hubby laughs and knows he’s lost his dancing partner, conversation partner, dinner partner…in fact, he just prepares to burn a hole in the floor between our table and the fruit table to prevent the embarrassment of my pulling up a chair to the fruit table!
I love it! Someone else who like me loves fruit only when covered in chocolate. I’m more of a bacon girl my self but Jimmy Dean sausage will do in a pinch.
Funny! I love your stories. Hey, maybe this isn’t the place for this, but you guys are great so here goes. I’m very early on in my 4th pregnancy. YAY! However, some blood work came back this morning kind of alarming. Would you all please pray for my baby, and that God would calm my heart and help me trust in HIS perfect plan? Thanks so much! I remember hearing somewhere that trusting God does NOT MEAN anxiously waiting. I’m working on that!
Love you guys!
kaci
I am so thrilled that you are going to be with Travis this weekend. We moved to the area about 5 months ago just in time to hear Travis sing at First Baptist Woodstock. I was elated to learn he was coming back and that you are coming with him. It has been hard adapting to a new home. My husband is a chaplain at the prison in Atlanta and his hours are not traditional which has added extra work to adapting. Being able to hear Travis sing and knowing you will be with him is a true blessing. I will be the Siesta sitting in the back (you always have to sit near the back when you have little kids with you :)) with my notecards close by. My kids are even excited. Around Christmas time my preschooler was making Christmas cards at school out of old Christmas cards. The one she chose for me had a large purple bow on the front. She said she picked it because it looked like Beth Moore. Love ya, Siesta Mama! Can’t wait to see you and Travis on Sunday.
Okay, Beth. If you don’t like fruit and eating healthy – how do you stay so dang skinny?
I don’t mind fruit – a little bit of it. But I just can’t seem to get in my daily quanitity. My weakness is fried foods. Heavens, I love them. But now that my cholesterol is getting high (runs in the family genes – dang it) I’m having to try to adjust things a bit. And it’s hard. Oh it’s hard.
Love dark chocolate though. Love it. I think all fruit should have dark chocolate on it. I’d be eating it all day too then.
“bethmoore makes me hungry”…I would have to agree with the other sisters…that because of the fruit of the Spirit that we see so evident in your life when you teach us God’s Word….it would be safe to say that bethmoore make us hungry for God’s Word…We long to be fed with His Word…
“Your Words were found,
and I ate them,
And Your Word was to ME the JOY and REJOICING of my heart;
For I am called by Your name
O Lord God of Hosts.” Jer. 15:16
(Just happens to be my memory verse)
Love ya!
Bethmoore makes me hungry too! Hungry for God’s word . . . just love me some Bethmoore Bible studies. We’re doing Esther right now and it is wonderful! Looking so forward to the concert at FBC Woodstock. Me and Siesta Sharron are coming with our hubbies. See you there!
Yes, that was random, but that is what we love about you Bethmoore! Continuing in randomness..while I love pancakes..my favorite breakfast…grits, thick sliced bacon, scrambled eggs with sharp cheddar cheese, orange juice and coffee! Yum!
Have a blessed weekend!
There’s not much better than strawberries dipped in chocolate, but to quote yourself: Ain’t no high like the Most High!
Ever since I was pregnant with our first child (who turned 33 last week), I have loved hot cocoa in the morning. And I make it with cocoa and Splenda, but my healthy hubby (who drinks green tea) never approved. Well, a couple years ago when chocolate was found to be high in antioxidants…oh my, I could hardly wait for him to get home and tell him!
L-O-V-E LOVE love randomness, it just makes you feel even more like family.
how do you stay so stinkin’ thin when you don’t like healthy food??!!!
THIS MAKES ME SO HAPPY.
Bethmoore
Chocolate covered strawberries
Sausage biscuits
What more can I say except you make me laugh and you make me hungry.
Have an awesome weekend
Carolyn a Raleigh girl from California
Hey:-)
So yea, wish I could go and hug everyone this weekend, but I’ll be planning to meet up next time.
(I couldn’t miss for too long praise dancing and falling into Mama Moonflower:)- and gettin’ together more than VIA FB with all my siestas:)
I hope you all have a wonderful time though:)
BTW…I found a job:) I think I might have 2 actually:) But the one for sure, so thank you so much for the siestas that have been praying:) Its been so rough, but when I saw Matt 7:7 in my email the other day, I knew He was up to something:)
Be Blessed:)
angie
Plain and simple….I love you to PIECES Bethmoore!
Thanks for my Friday laugh…
See you on Sunday!
Leslie
You are so funny. That is why you are one of my best friends. Even though we’ve never met. Is that weird?
Kari
Washington state
I my gosh you are so funny! It’s great to hear from a godly woman who likes her sausage biscuits!:)
I also love the cheap bisquits and sausage and from a family of eight!! The bisquits as I recall were 4 for $1.00!!! I still love them too. Have you ever deep fried those cheap bisquits and then poured some honey and butter on ’em??? Purrty good stuff….
I eat much healthier now but don’t have near the fun as I used to. Nope don’t like the fruit either but thankfully my children do. So I have a little with them. Strawberried dipped in chocolate are the best. Now those things I can make myself sick on. Happy eating!!
Isaac’s mom
My 5 year old also says your name like Jackson did… He says it when you come on the radio for “A Quickword with Beth”… You are a family friend to us 🙂
Love ya, Kim
Great story! Kids say the darndest things, some of which are prophetic! I think that is why I love working with them.
Bethmoore has made me hungry many times! But she has taught me where to get fed. My life is totally changed. I can truly say it is SO MUCH RICHER NOW! I have been blessed by your life.
Thanks,
Jan
I’m finishing picking up my house and then I’m making a pot of taco soup while I wait on 3 extra special siesta’s to arrive(Fran, Patty and GA!)….We are SO excited to experience this weekend with so many siesta’s!!! Travis has an army of prayer warriors coming in for this one!
Hope we get to hug your neck!!! If not,know we are thrilled that you are here with us!!
Much love
stephanie
Bethmoore,
I have often wanted you to tell us your secrets for keeping so slim. Now we know it is not your diet. So it must be your super charged metabolism. Sometime please reveal your food and exercise journal. There are sisters out here who need to know.
That was too funny! My kids call you Bethmoore too. I am hungry for some wheat pancakes now (once you get used to the whole wheat the regular ones don’t taste the same)!
And like many other commenters- you make me hungry for the Word and more Jesus!
Haha!! Too funny!!
When my younger cousins Brett and Daniel were little, they called me NikkiRyan and my sister, Ryan, NikkiRyan…it was like our names were one and that one name was both of ours! My aunt still will talk about how Brett or Daniel would beg to go to NikkiRyan’s house or to call NikkiRyan!! Soo funny!
Excited about the taping…love me some good Travis music and a road trip with a dear friend!!
Be safe in your travels!
Love you BethMoore!!
Thank you, I am laughing with a great belly laugh and mascara starting to tear. Love you Bethmoore.
Celeste
That was so funny!! But the part that grabbed my heart was the part about Angela being one of your favorite women to muse over the Word of God with. I haven’t had that in a long time–at least in person– and I really miss it. I think its why I gravitate to this blog. Thanks again Bethmoore.
Bethmoore,
Good food leads to good memories. When I was much younger our family was taking care of a little girl whose mom was trying to get her act together. One Saturday afternoon she helped me bake a chocolate cake. She licked the spoon, the beaters and bowl. When the cake came out of the oven she helped me ice it – repeating all the steps listed above. When it came time to serve the cake, she ate one bite and then said – MissJanice, I like your cake…but it makes me sick. That was over 25 years ago and we still laugh about it. I love you Bethmoore.
Thanks so much for the laugh! My sweet son who is now 10 (and is also named Jackson) used to call our dear family friend Mikerodriguez. His name is Mike Rodriguez, but Jackson thought it was all one name. We couldn’t stand to correct him because it was too cute. It was especially precious when he called Mike’s wife Elise Mikerodriguez!
I’ve got four boys and they are the most precious and sweet gifts. We laugh our heads off at some of the things that they say. Our two year old told me the other day “I love you, mom. You’re a sweet boy, mom.” He hears that so much. He just repeated it right back to me! I’ll happily be called a “sweet boy” any day of the week if he’s the one saying it! Love you, Beth!
Oh my goodness, how funny! I love chocolate and fruit but not together!!! Sausage and biscuits remind me of my growing up in the mid-west only we were even cheaper – a small can of chipped beef and gravy over biscuits! We took our girls back home and my aunt served them spam and twinkies and my girls were not impressed! lol My family and cousins felt so bad for them that they had been so deprived! 🙂