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.
Angela sounds like my mom. My mom cooks like a hippie would cook.
I have a feeling you have been lovingly called “Bethmoore” by many more people than you can ever imagine. You have blessed me and I love you and your family stories.
I love you Bethmoore!
From Rhonda in Michigan!!
What a profound statement…”Bethmoore makes me hungry.” That should be the motto for Living Proof. After all, making us hungry for the Word of God is the point of the ministy.
My best friend and I are going to Travis’ taping. We can’t wait! See you there.
Isn’t it great to smile together – to make a joyful noise? This is the day that Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Sometimes the best humor and the best of God’s love can feel random – keep them coming.
I have to confess, my dream job is at the Godiva Chocolate store at the mall where I constantly see the biggest strawberries on the planet covered in CHOCOLATE!
Peace and Safe Travels,
Kim Feth
Apex, NC
And I agree with at least two other Siestas. Get that recipe from Angela and get it posted!
Kim Feth
Apex, NC
Bethmoore you make me laugh. I love how you are so serious about your walk with the Lord and can be so unserious and enjoy life all at the same time. Don’t ever change!
Hey Beth~
I love this story!
Life with children is an adventure! Something interesting is always just around the corner with them in your life.
I have a little friend Kaynahn (pronounced Canaan) who has alapecia. It is very difficult being a six year old girl without hair.
I lead her momma’s Bible study group (a group of beautiful, young mommas). Kaynahn’s momma sent out a group e-mail to all of us this morning asking for prayer for Kaynahn.
Kaynahn’s prayer is that the Lord will send her a six year old girl friend that doesn’t have hair. I can just imagine Tanya’s (Kaynahn’s momma) as she typed the e-mail.
Kaynahn recently told someone that asked her if she wanted Jesus to heal her and give her hair and I quote: “Well, I think I will just stay like this so I can show people how to be. But when He brings it back that will be okay too.”
She is such a beautiful little one, with or without hair.
Would you join us in prayer for little Kaynahn?
I love you, Beth!
Your teaching has helped to change my life!
Blessings,
Cheri
I’ll be at Woodstock Sunday evening too. I just hope we can get there early enough to get a seat!
That’s so stinking funny.
Well, I’ve never sat down over a meal with you but through the wonders of video and the written word, I have had the pleasure of sitting down over God’s Word with you and I can honestly say, Bethmoore, you’ve made me hungry for more too.
Seems to be a holy habit of yours. Praise His Name!
Much love to you…
Melanie
Laughing, laughing, laughing. Out of the mouths of babes.
Okay, I can add to your bragging rights list…you know bottle of water, wheat bread…You CAN add fruit.
Just say, “Oh…I had the best fruit today.” If people ask what kind ~ “Oh, it was a wonderful mixture.” Then walk away kind of quick like. They will be so impressed. They don’t have to know that it was a little Fruit of the Spirit you had!!! You are gonna sound so healthy.
By the way, at my house growing up…Jimmy Dean and biscuits…yes ma’am with some homemade gravy. Big sigh.
http://mylifehisstory.blogspot.com/
I totally relate to the water and whole wheat piousness! You crack me up!! And you make me feel normal…I would pick chocolate over fruit any day…even though I do like fruit, too. But puh-leeeez, do not mess up my chocolate by putting fruit inside! LOL
There is a spiritual message here somewhere. Hmmm.
I have to tell you we’re still ruminating on the red convertible thing. Lauren decided mine had to be a Volvo, but at least I was in the car! Hope you are smiling! That girl knows me a little too well.Blessed travel and His full anointing on you all with Travis’s recording.Love, Annette
you remind me of my roommate after college who ate the following for breakfast EVERY morning: 2 cups of coffee (really a half a cup of coffee and the rest of the cup filled with half and half!) and two chocolate covered Entemann’s doughnuts. She is still a stick twenty years later. But the best part is…she is crazy for Jesus!
thanks for the giggle!
I love to snack on the “randoms” as much as I love to feast on the spirtuals from you, bethmoore and company.
Heather
Charlotte, NC
I love you Bethmoore!!!
OH – please pass on the recipe for those pancakes…..i really need it!
Wooow Mamma!
Dark Chocolate,YES oh my YES! You Siestas do know that Dark Chocolate is our firend, and we should treat it kindly. 🙂
and girls, I do,I do. aahh-haaa
Sausage burnt to a crisp, caned biscuits, oh yeah that was my growing up big breaksast, except we at times would also have eggs and gravy with them. you know the gavey was made from the grease from the sausage, or bacon….and we’re still alive. :~0
Fruit was a Christmas thing, too expensive, and we were only a family of 4. with no dimes to spare.
Anyway, thanks for the random note Beth, I laughed out loud several times, and since I have had a rough two days, honey I needed the laugh. Thank you.
Becky / Brentwood
I love it when you let us see the funny as well as the serious! It makes everything you share with us about Hm even more real! I don’t know the why of it … but I do know the reality of it!
Mrs. Moore,
You are such a comical Blessing! I can totaly relate to random thoughts of the natural highs God gives me. You should try making a list of your natural highs ,it is so much fun and it makes you feel all warm inside. For example, Hot towels out of the dryer, oh i love that smell. or finding money in your coat form last winter, laying on a proch swing with your beau, sticking your finger in a freshly iced cake. those are just a few of mine .Thank you for being random i completley understand, i now annouce when i am going to be random, because people say i am the most random person they know.Hope you enjoy those strawberrys , “Taste and see that the Lord is ohh so good! Love pink
Now I believe chocolate makes anything better. Except for one fruit, which in my opinion is the Forbidden fruit! I hate bananas with a passion. Seriously. People make fun of me. Some might even say I have a banana phobia(would it count if I have had nightmares of dancing bananas?(.hhehhe….I have done Breaking Free and prayed to be freed from my banana phobia, but it hasn’t happened yet….But maybe if it was dipped in lots and lots of chocolate.
Wish I could be there this week-end with everyone! A special shout out to some special siestas that will be there. Love ya Kim, Tammy, and Deborah!
Bethmoore, I love it when you just are real and give us your random thoughts!
Praying for you as you share on Sunday!
Much love!
Kristi B.
I love strawberries and chocolate but not together, for some reason. But, I LOVE bananas dipped in milk chocolate and especially white chocolate!! Yummmm! Have you tried that? I could make myself sick off it!
Have a blast in GA at Travis’ taping and with your baby girl! 🙂
I love you today and everyday Bethmoore 🙂 BTW..I get the same thing..lots of people say my name, Missymoore, like it’s one name. 😀
Oh how I love me my mama siesta bethmoore! You are too funny!!!!!
And I just can’t understand how you don’t like fruit?! But anything covered in chocolate is yummmmmyyyy!
Have a wonderful time at Travis’ concert!
I loved reading your post Beth. Those Jimmie Dean sausages and biscuits sound so good. Wheat graham pancakes topped with cooked Granny Smith apples (with cinnamon, nutmeg, sweetener and a little milk added) are so scrumptious.
Bethmoore,
You crack me up! You are so fun!
I’m glad we’re “friends” 🙂
Love ya!
Luv you too, Beth !
Beth it warmed my heart to know there were several of us "charred sausage" & biscuits kids grow'in up across the states! I didnt know what sausage really looked like until I was much older~however when I do have well done sausage it brings back wonderful memories of my grandmother who was the guiding light for our faith.
Thanks for sharing such a great story behind the scenes! (it was the chocolate I am sure of it!!)
What a cute story! But I’m thinking ~ if there is something this healthy out there that actually tastes amazing, would Angela consider sharing her home- made whole wheat pancakes with us. I’d love to get away from Bisquick or Krusteaz!!! Please ask her to consider!!! Cheryl
I was in a restaurant one time and actually met Jimmy Dean and the older guy from The Apple Dumpling Gang. All I can say is….very interesting! Last thing Jimmy told me was to “eat more sausage.” Frankly, my hips look like I followed his advice! Beth, the REAL reason I am blogging is because I did something the other day that I thought I would NEVER do. Are you sitting down? This is serious. I took a sick day because of BAD HAIR! I knew you would understand! Something went horribly wrong while I was in the chair! I teach elementary school. Could NOT go to work looking like that! You know how honest they are at that age! I ended up going to a friend to try to get it fixed. She did the best she could. Love her. All I have to say now is that since I took the sick day for bad hair….I’ve been sick for four days! You DO understand. Don’t you? =)
Love ya Beth! “eat more sausage!”
Beth, I really love you.
From a dietitian,
I must say you crack me up “bethmoore”, its a miracle healthy food can taste good! 🙂
Loving Jesus with all of you is so fun!
Esther 🙂
I think it’s the chocolate too! Thanks for putting a smile on my face. Praise you God for Chocolate and fruit.
Love your random comments. isnt that what girlfriends do!! 🙂
Love you girlfriend.
Beth, you are so funny! I grew up the same way – poor and no fruit! It was more like twinkies and cheetos! I have never developed a taste for fruit, and so wish I liked it. Beth – I must ask – HOW DO YOU STAY SO THIN???
I remember you telling this story in one of your bible studies. I am a fan of the whole wheat waffles myself…add some peanut butter…they will change your life!
Oh my word, I just laughed out loud at this post – HILARIOUS! I can just hear the words rushing out of your mouth and the intonation in your voice!
Hope the taping went well! I had hoped to come, but had a hubby out of town and three sweet kiddos to take care of by myself. My friends Shari & John did…
I'm sure there was some serious praise being raised to Heaven from "Hotlanta" last night!
Siesta Mama,
It was wonderful…the speaking in-between the music sets was a fantastic added blessing. My “new quote from Beth”…”The world isn’t looking to see if we have it all together…they’re looking to see what we do when we don’t!” Wonderful! Definitely something to chew on…just like another encouragment to throw in on the “group hug” post. If our hope is in the Lord, we have nothing to fear!
Wanted to come find you and hug your neck afterwards, but I heard from a little bird (okay, from a producer who is married to her) that Miss PattyCake would be in the house, and hugging her took priority since I was in the company of a wiggly kindergartener. 🙂 We hadn’t gotten to speak with Jean since April, and by the time my “talker” was done “chatting” (I did make her wait until Jean was done speaking with the Hunts!), I was pretty sure you had left the building.
Anyhow, it was a pleasure to be there with you all, worshipping our God in one accord! Glad I made it…even without chocolate-covered fruit to entice me. The Hampton Inn breakfast was good enough, though. 🙂
I am just dying with laughter over the pancakes. My husband is the health-concious person in our house. When I think pancakes, I’m talking Bisquick. When he’s thinking pancakes, he’s talking whole wheat flour and all kinds of high-fiber things. Unlike you, I haven’t learned to be accepting of the better-for-you variety of pancakes. Fortunately, he’s kind enough to make me eggs and sausage when he makes breakfast and we’re all happy!
Love it. So funny. Laughing out loud. My 5 year old daughter is watching Home Improvement beside me and wants to know why I think IT is so funny. If she only knew. Beth, I grew up eating sausage and biscuits the exact same way! Still love it. Saugage is not good if it is not almost burnt! Thanks for the laughter.
Pam in Tennessee
This is a PRECIOUS story Bethmoore. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. I am still giggling over Jack’s comment. That is hilarious.
I know you had a blast at the recording, I hate that I missed the party! Next time my friend, Next time!
Much Love,
Groovewoman♫
Oh how I love you bethmoore. I was beyond having a pity party that I wasn’t there this weekend. Morgan got sick with bronchitis and so did I. I wish I could google your outfits. Like take a picture of that cute jacket from the luncheon and put it in a search engine. Coveting at its best. BAD JENNY!!
My daddy passed away at the early age of 47, and one of my warmest memories of him is how every morning he made breakfast for my sister and I, Jimmy Dean sausage and canned biscuits.
I was just doing a search and found Beth Moore’s web site and I can’t believe it, I am so excited! I am currently attending my third Beth Moore study and I am hooked. Thank you Beth for your wonderful Bible Studies! Each time I have finished a study I have felt so much closer to the Lord. You are so funny too, I love the story you told on here about the chocolate fruit and the pancakes. I can’t wait to get to Bible Study (it’s Esther by the way) this week and tell everyone that I discovered this web site where we can post comments!
Sincerely,
Barb
You DO make us hungry Bethmoore! Thank you so much for showing us how to find fullness in Him.
You are so nice Beth! Thanks for being you! You have enriched my world immensely.
Thank you for your fun, spontaneous, and light-hearted postings, Beth. I truly would love to get the chance to meet you and spend time with you because I just really appreciate your sense of humor, not to mention your teaching, wisdom, and knowledge. However, if I don’t get the chance in this life, I know there is the next one! Thanks for sharing part of your life with us.
Oh, my dearest Bethmoore,
I praise God for your way with words–both God’s Word and yours–oh, they are indescribably delicious! Thanks for making my sides ache from laughing and teaching me God’s ways everytime I open this blog. Thanks and praise also for your two precious daughters who have inherited your gift of gab too!
Love you all so much!
Bethmoore,
I have had a very stressful few days, thank you SO much for making me laugh like crazy!!
We are getting ready to do Esther in a few weeksand can hardly wait!
Love you Bethmoore and your love for Jesus is so very contagious.
Hope you have a wonderful “hair” day tomorrow! (LOL)