I am back from Australia and have a whole week off. See?
That means I’ll take lots of walks in these country woods that I pined for while I was away. If we could walk these woods together, you and I, this is what we’d do:
We might first take one of these…
…since bright yellow flecks of smiling sun are blanketing every surface in sight. Negative people might call it pollen but let’s try to be positive. It makes it easier if you will simply agree to see sneezing as cathartic. Use it to get some stuff out of your system. Go ahead and yell out from the gutter of your soul while you sneeze and make yourself heard. Scare somebody. It will do you some good.
We’d then put on our snake boots. What basic black pumps are in the city, snake boots are in the country. A must, and you wear them with everything including shorts. Before we put them on, let’s have a quick tutorial on which snakes out here are poisonous:
This is a Coral Snake. A bad mama but she’s a pretty thing, isn’t she? Sometimes we find one curled up on our front porch, a fact that I find somewhat unsettling.
This is a Water Moccasin. That’s a bad dude right there and an ugly one at that. We’ll be most careful to watch for him when we’re near the creek.
While our black snakes are not poisonous, they tend to score high on the creepy meter. You sort of have to talk yourself out of a panic attack when you see one because they tend to be impressively large. They’re often right on the dirt road or up the side of an oak tree.
As a bonus for still agreeing to go on our walk, I’ll let you choose which pair of boots you want to wear and I’ll put on the other ones. The camos are most comfortable but let’s just say that no pair of fangs on earth is getting through that steel mesh on the other pair. Those are my rattlesnake boots for the cactus land in West Texas. You can breathe a sigh of relief that we do not have rattlers here in the country. So, which pair do you want?
The dogs have already spied us putting on our boots so they are yelping to high heaven at the iron gate in the back yard, begging to be set free. They will race down the path toward the creek like their tails are on fire but Queen Esther, my Border Collie, will come in a distant second to Geli (short for Angelina), Keith’s bird dog. She soars like a greyhound. They love the unabashed joy of the wild as long as they get to come home to the air conditioner, eat a fine supper peppered with people-food, and sleep on giant pillows. A few weeks ago I had them on a walk and nearly fainted dead-into-the-dirt when Geli ran through the brush back onto the path with a coyote right behind her. I’m not making this up. It’s almost like we live in the African bush surrounded by hyenas.
I yelled and waved my arms like a crazy woman. It might have been a good time for cursing which Keith has tried diligently to teach me to do but, as it was, the coyote sauntered off, probably out of embarrassment for me. I have yet to capture a good picture of Queen Esther and Geli romping the path so you’ll have to confine the image to your imagination. Sometimes, however, we have to wait to go outside until a rabbit finishes its breakfast. Why? Because Geli is also hungry for breakfast.
We’ll walk on down the path and talk about all sorts of things. These woods are good for that. Trees don’t tattle. If you tend to be bigger on manners than honesty, you’ll probably try to tell me it’s beautiful out here but that might be a stretch except to us. We chose not to manicure these acres so it’s mostly wild and bushy and viney right at eye level but if you’d lift your chin, you’d see oak and pine and sycamore limbs stretching out like everlasting arms over your head. This time of year, you’d also catch a tease of wild dogwoods peeking out like they don’t want anybody but you to know they’re there.
You’d have to come soon to catch this little glimpse of Texas Spring because they’ll disappear with the late April heat. We have a little meadow on our walk that sprouts a tiny patch of wild bluebonnets this time of year. Nobody but God planted these. Keith and I discover a few more every year and it delights us to no end.
If you’ll stay alert and wide-eyed, you might get to see a pileated woodpecker swoop overhead like I did yesterday, then you’ll hear all manner of hammering.
Think Woody.
We’d probably pass by Jackson and Annabeth’s swing set on our walk.
They love it so much and, when they’re on it, I’m usually somewhere on it with them. If you haven’t been on a swing set in a long time and swung as high as you could, you don’t know what you’re missing. It makes me laugh really hard which makes Annabeth laugh really hard.
While we’re on our walk, we might stroll past our neighbor’s fence and say hi to the donkey he got to keep company with his steer. Ever since this mischievous little guy wandered up in my yard a month or so ago, I’ve been in love with him. I’ve asked Keith to buy me one but he’s been as stubborn as a mule about it. He says the next thing we knew, that donkey would be up on the couch watching TV with us. This was taken the first time I met him.
Come on, now! Just try to tell me he’s not fabulous! We’d then pass around by Big Pops’ and Memmaw’s house and visit their chickens. Big Pops and Memmaw will be sorry that Annabeth and Jackson aren’t with us but the chickens won’t.
We’d circle back around to my house by way of this bridge. It is just over a gully but, when it rains a lot as it often does in Houston, it turns into a respectable creek. Jackson and his friends love to look for frogs and tadpoles under here. This bridge is my favorite man-made thing on our property. My man built it for me long before the house went up. I sit on it often just to think about things.
We’d then make our way back to my front porch, pull our boots off, and sit on this bench, just the two of us, and talk.
We’d say that the Lord is good and that His love endures forever.
And we’d be right.
I sure love you.
Thanks for taking me on a walk today! It was lovely to be out in the fresh air of Texas (rather than the windy/can’t make up it’s mind weather of Kansas City).
This post made me think of something my bestie and I did a couple of weeks ago. She’s a teacher and I’m not (meaning she gets Spring Break and I don’t) and we live 3 hours apart (she’s in the Springfield area which is where I understand your Curtis Jones hails from!). So, while she was on spring break we texted each other almost every day saying what we would be doing if we were together. We watched a lot of movies and Gilmore Girls, ate a lot of yummy food, and did some shopping in Branson. It was almost as glorious as if we’d actually done it. Almost.
Enjoy your week off, Beth!
I’d love to hike the woods with you if I could have a pair of thigh high snake boots. 😉 And if you’ll walk ahead to break through all the spider webs for me. That bridge is amazing.
Here’s a big amen to having someone else get rid of the spider webs! Snakes don’t bother me but spiders . . . yeesh!
I have tears in my eyes as I have just finished reading your blog Beth. I feel like I went on a walk with you and you have no idea how badly I needed that. How I needed to see God’s creation, how to stop and relax and take in all that is going on around me. I am in ministry and in about one of the busiest seasons I have ever been in and today I just about snapped I have been in tears. People amaze me so and how they can promise things and be so passionate one minute about something and the next leave you out to dry. I have been having a constant dialog with the Lord today and praying that he strengthens me to continue on. Thank you Beth for all you do. You are a tremendous blessing to so many and an inspiration to those of us who keep running this race. Blessings:)
Hi Wendy. Your comment touched my heart. I too am in ministry and can relate to what you shared. I pray God strengthens you and sustains you during this busy season of ministry and that He keeps your heart tender towards those He has called you to serve.
Your Friend in Ministry,
Kate Posthuma
Thank you Kate for your prayers!! Yesterday was a bad day and today God has spoken so clearly to me and has reminded me to serve in love and to do so for an audience of One.
Oh, Wendy! I’ve been there so many times, even to the point of deep depression. Through our many years in ministry (we are both retired now), I’ve learned (usually with the stubbornness of my blond head) that He truly works all things together for good! And the only One you can truly rely on is God! Sometimes we can’t even rely on ourselves! One thing I never got totally right, and I’m still learning, is to delegate ~ even if you don’t think someone else will do it as well as you are able! I know it’s easier just to do things all yourself, but that does not allow for growth in another’s life and usually tends to wipe you out! So my Rx for your problem is to take time for Him and you alone, maybe over a cup of tea or coffee, or take a short walk in the beauty He has made. Then check to see if what you are in a flurry over will matter in 50 years :)! A little late is better than not at all ~ remember, Jesus waited four days before raising Lazarus from the dead, much to Martha’s chagrin! He evidently was not late, did His job, and delegated to the bystanders the job of unwrapping Lazarus from his grave clothes! Hugs and love to you, Sister in the Lord!
Thank you Pat…I so appreciate your words of wisdom. Being a pastor’s wife I tend to say yes to a lot of things because I think I have to in my role. The Lord is teaching me rather painfully I may add that I need to take on only what HE has ordained for me.
What a wonderful walk! That was so much fun!
Enjoy your vacation 🙂
Hugs,
Adrienne
What a fun post! Enjoy your time off!!
It would be so awesome to go for a walk with you and sit and chat on your porch! I’d have so much to talk with you about. But what I’d really love to do is to pray with you for a while. I’d love to hear how you talk to the Lord personally, not the public side of praying. Since I’m sure that won’t happen here – it’ll be a blast to get to know you in Heaven.
So glad you are safely home. Enjoy your week off and get over that jet lag. No one in their right mind should be awake and up at 6:30 on their vacation!!!!!
BTW – I’ll take the rattle snake boots…. : ) Love you!
Can I just tell you how happy this post made me! I was just saying I missed just enjoying reading blogs about everyday life and realness and transparency that served no other purpose but to just share….so thank you.
What time should I arrive for our walk? I’ll take whichever boots you don’t want!
Hi there Beth! Thank you for that wonderful tour! So enjoyed the pictures! But I cannot tell a lie..after hearing about the snakes and the coyote I would probably just stay back at the house and wait for you and have your favorite coffee freshly brewed and waiting with some homemade cinnamon rolls fresh out of the oven to welcome you and enjoy a nice long chat safely inside at the table. Although I must admit the chance to get to pet and love on that adorable donkey,to enjoy the beauty of the woods around your house, the sheer fun of watching Queen Esther and Geli romp around, not to mention the treasure it would be to take a nice long walk with one of my favorite people in the whole world might just be enough to coax me out the door. I hope you have a wonderful week off that is nice and relaxing and is full of all the things you love the most. I love you dearly Siesta Mama! I’ve missed you so much!!
Thank you so much for the journey. Just strolling along helped me to clear my head.
Oh how this busy, worn out mama of 3 littles needed that. I actually let out an audible sigh at the end of this post. Thank you for that beautiful breather! Hope your vacation week is full of blessed rest!
So glad you’re back safe & sound. I’m sure this week off is very much needed 🙂 It would be my honor to go walking with you, when can I come?? God willing, I will see you at LPL in Minneapolis in a couple of weeks!!
Beth, I would so love to join you on a stroll and talk of important things like…cute shoes, good mascara, the preeminence of Tex Mex, funny things our hubbies say, loving grown-up kids, how He’s thrilled us lately with His Word, what to do with the empty place after we’ve served until there’s nothing left, and how our hearts are strangely homesick for a place we’ve only seen through a glass. That’s my definition of fellowship. 🙂 Love you, sister!!Kelleen
Oh Beth! I could be there in 6.5 to 7 hours if I get my GPS loaded right. I loved what you shared, but I love you like a dear sister and feel like we’ve walked those woods many times together. You are loved right back! ❤️
Enjoy some well deserved time off my friend! Looking forward to seeing you in MN in a couple weeks! My favorite part of the walk was the bridge. Beautiful! And I loved the chat on the bench on the front porch. I love front porches!
Perfect. Every bit is absolutely perfect. Is a cup of tea included at the end?
Thank you for the walk. Nice change to the windy day we r have here in the NE, but at least God spared us the snow. I’ll have to get me a pair of those snake books as in a few weeks we r moving to the country..snakes and all.
God is so good to create this for us
“Ah, God…”
Oh how I have missed you and your words that comfort and lead me straight to The Lord. Thank you.
Ps. I couldn’t possibly express how much I fear/detest snakes but I actually scrolled all the way through to read the written words….quite a lofty feat!
Beth, there are few things that bring me more delight than to have you share personal stories and pictures. Always laced with humor, love and a full on commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ. I’ve so enjoyed the blog and Lindsay is just as precious a sister in Christ as can be. Have a wonderful vacation. Much needed I’m sure
I so wish I could actually take that walk with you – minus the snakes 🙂 I’m happy you are home and getting some time off. You need that time. Oh, and I love that bridge too (great job Mr. Moore!) I don’t have a good spot to go sit and think these days. I live in a highly populated area and when I get away it is usually for under an hour (bc I have three very little ones) so when I can get out – I have adopted the parking lot of a local jewish temple as my thinking and praying spot. It has a really pretty weeping willow tree planted in the corner. I park there by the tree as the cars whiz by on the busy road in front of me, but somehow, it still feels inmate, and I feel safe and small…
Lovely time except for the snakes. You’d need smelling salts to revive me if I encountered one, even the non-poisonous black snake.
Thanks for the walk today my friend. I do feel I have known you for years. You have walked with me through rough times. ( I have done many of the bible studys God helps you Author) Today though we would have talked about what a blessing today is for me. I left the spinal surgen with great news. After over two resent years of back pain and sugerys I have no reason to have another. He has healed me and with in six weeks I should back to walking the walk again. Praise God for the small things and the big things. Today I praise Him for you Beth and walking me back home to Texas to remind me of my roots and though surgerys started when I was 14 and totaled this year with 4 and I am 36. I am a new lady in God each day no matter the pain. I see Gods love from my roots in Texas all the way to my home today in Arizona. Thank you for a blessed walk down memory lane. Praise God I can still walk with you. Thank you Beth for loving our God and teaching us more about him I your everyday walk.
I’m seriously feeling more relaxed after slowing down for a bit to take this ‘stroll.’ Funny how that happened! I live in a big city in the desert (jordan) and have been craving some good ole nature time. I think a day trip to Mt Nebo is in order this weekend. (I know, right?!?. this life I get to live… Amazing! He is good!)
Thank you so much for the walk. It was nice to see you! Our time together is always so precious to me. So happy to hear from you on the blog today. Enjoy your week off. And, yes, God is so good!
Thank you for the walk, but I have to say the pictures of the snakes made me a tad nervous about joining you. Here in New Zealand we don’t have such creatures so our bush walks are unhindered 🙂
My life group are doing your Breaking Free course and we just listened to week 3, where you talk about learning to shoot the heads of a snake! we rolled with laughter.
Sure did enjoy our walk “today” Beth…..we’ll have to have another one in the future! Next time though, I’ll bring my own boots. 🙂
Blessings,
Ginger
Wetumpka,AL
I think I could love some of that! A chance to exhale…
So glad you are having your week of rest, Beth. We love you too.
Before I get on about the walk, I’ve just one question: Do you have an alarm set to remind you of your vacation? That picture made me laugh! As for that walk….it was just what I needed today. It’s darn cold up here in Ohio and even though the sun is shining, I’ve been wishing for warmer days. Surely NOT wishing for a hike amongst your snake friends, but you seem such an expert, I’m sure I’d feel safe walking alongside you. You write so eloquently, as if I was right there beside you. Wouldn’t that be fun?! Welcome back to the blog Beth. You have been dearly missed….although I must say, Lindsee is definitely nipping at your heels in the blog department. She is a treasure! Have a blessed vacation week. I love you too sweet sister!
Oh this was a lovely time out. Beautiful! Thank you for.letting me join you.
Best post ever.
Oh Beth! How I’ve missed hearing from you. I know that vacation must be well needed. I’d go on a walk with you maybe every other day if my allergies would let me. Have a great week.
The snakes. Ewwww. But the rest- fantastic!
I so needed that walk! Thank you for taking me!
Beth this was so sweet. It brought tears to my eyes just the thought that you would want to take a walk with me. What a lovely walk it would be! I literally felt like I was on the walk with you as I was reading this. How special this was. Thank you Beth! One question, do you ever get snakes in your house? If so I wouldn’t be able to stay over night. Maybe dinner but I won’t be sleeping there. Just sayin! 🙂
Thank you for this post. I really felt like I was walking along with you. Blessings!
Well, this little walk made sore-throaty, feverish me feel better!
And the description of yours dogs, who love the wild but want the big pillows to sleep on? Exactly how my dogs are!
Thanks for the walk, gave me a relaxed clear perspective on some things. Glad you are back sister/friend, you have been missed. Love you too, Julie
That was great thanks for sharing. I pray one day God will let me live on a graet big fram! Enjoy your vacation with your famliy and God!
Dearest Beth,
I take walks like this too on our farm/ranch each spring. I take an Apple or two for the horses and take Ebby my Schnauzer and Foxy the corgi with to scout out squirrels and pheasants. I wear my muck boots though for mud. No poisonous snakes this side of Dakota. I have a porch swing I retire to but love the liberating feel of swinging high on the swing you did. I did it often with a dear friend who now swings in glory. I look forward to Joining her again some day. Just as I look forward to chatting and swinging with you at Jesus feet.
Welcome home Dear One. Until we meet in that glorious heavenly home….I sure do love you too!!!
Hugs from the Heartland,
Betty
Oh how I need that walk! Enjoyed it! 😉
Thank you, it was lovely.
Ssssnakesss—-yyyiikkes! I ain’t coming for this walk in the park, Beth.
But what a fun, fun post!
I think I’d have to know about the snakes AFTER we got back. Just don’t think I’d enjoy the walk if I knew about them first 😉
God truly is good; in fact, He’s GREAT!!
Blessings to you, Beth.
That was a lovely walk! Thank you! Kinda reminds me of walks we’d take in the woods around Central Florida (Orlando) where i grew up. Lots of snakes there, too. LOTS of them! And seeing that coral snake reminded me of something my daddy taught me as a little girl: “Red on yellow, dangerous fellow. Red on black, friend to Jack.” Hope you thoroughly enjoy your week off!! Thanks for all you do for The Lord… and for us! You’re the best! xo – P
You made me smile 🙂
I would love to walk and talk
Enjoy your week off
Much love!
Beth, So overjoyed to hear from you and to know that you are back from down under. Trusting that the Lord worked mightily while you were there. This post by far is one of my favorites. I do so love to walk/hike in the woods and chat with a girlfriend. Right up my alley! And what a marvelous girlfriend you are! I understand about the snakes but have never once worn snake boots though I have stepped on a snake or two. What do they say, the Lord looks out for fools and children. Love creeks and sunshine and wild flowers and especially taking pictures of them. Lastly, I am right with you on the donkey thing. For many years on my drive to work I would pass by a farm that always had a baby donkey. He would be sitting like a dog with his ears touching the ground. So cute that I would cry. Still get choked up even now at just the thought. Some things are so cute they are actually painful in an exquisite agony sort of way. I feel the same way about my pup who would most definitely be part of an adventure like this with your two. Thanks for such an awesome post. I love you. Lynda
I’ve missed you, Miss Beth. Love your story telling.
Hi Siesta Mama Beth, Thank you for sharing your walk with us around your land. At first I was like, “Uh, I want the metal boots!” But then I thought that if there was only one pair that was fail safe, I would probably need to give them to you instead. It is the right thing to do, and I love you too, so there:)…I hope your week off has gone well, and your quiet times have been unhindered. Quiet reflection for one day would be a welcome thing to me right now for sure. I found out this week that my health may not be the best for trying for another baby this Summer, and I am still trying to work up the courage to speak to loved ones about their salvation. In the meantime, my four year old still refuses to potty train completely and my one year old is getting over a virus. Such is the life of a momma…a calling for sure in every way!:) ((HUGS)) to you, Beth, always.
So good to hear your voice, Beth!! Loved the pics of our walk, but the one that I REALLY want to see? The donkey on the couch watching TV with you 🙂
Thanks for the walk! It was very relaxing! Beautiful land