I don’t know if it was my drive from the big city to a small country town on Saturday that rekindled a lost love, but this weekend I fell in love with Texas all over again. And I feel like, because I love you all, I would share why I love my home state so very much. So, if you can put up with some fluff, allow me to brag on Texas for a minute, will you?
1. THE WILDFLOWERS.
Y’all. As mentioned above, I went to an antique show this weekend that is hosted every year in the little town of Round Top, Texas, and this time I happened to drive alongside, what appeared to be, bluebonnet fields forever. It took my breath away. So much so that I had to remind myself to keep my eyes on the road, not on the fields. I wanted to stop and take a picture so bad, but since my drive lent itself to tiny two-way roads, there wasn’t really a good place to pull over. But then, OHBUTTHEN, I came across the most glorious field of all with a little gas station across the road. Clearly I took that opportunity to snap a picture. I braved snakes, and animals, and insects galore, but marvel in this with me for a minute, won’t you?
BECAUSE YOU WOULD HAVE STOPPED, TOO. Texas wildflowers are unmatched. We live in a favored land.
2. Y’ALL.
Yup. Just the word. I love it so much. In fact, when I’m feeling really passionate I tend to use just the word, “Y’all.” And I use it as a complete sentence. It usually means I’m speechless. I even own a shirt that just says, “Y’all”. You’ll never visit Texas without using it at least once, and if you move here? Well, you’ll be ruined forever. And all the Texans said amen.
3. THE SUNSETS.
Texas sunsets for the win, always. Need I say more? We may not have the best landscape in the world, but surely the Lord gave us the sunsets to make up for our lack of mountain ranges and sandy white beaches.
This was really a sunrise on my way to church one morning. Stunning.
4. Speaking of sandy white beaches . . . GALVESTON.
I just witnessed an eye-roll from everyone, I know. But y’all. (Can you hear the passion in my y’all?) Just a couple of weeks ago during spring break, my family from Colorado came in town and we rented a house in Galveston for the week. I was the first to dismiss this idea, because Galveston… But I was proved wrong at every corner. Galveston was beautiful! I repeat, Galveston was beautiful! I don’t know if being there in March had anything to do with it, but it wasn’t humid, sticky and was without a hint of the nasty seaweed that gathers and clumps together in the summer. Don’t believe me? I’ll let the picture do the talking. (Side note: Only Texans can knock Galveston. True story. It’s because we have a love/hate relationship with it. But if anyone else tries to knock it? Rude.)
You can thank the sunsets in Galveston for wooing me every night. It would be safe to label me as a sunset chaser. Obsessed much?
5. My PEOPLE.
Long story short, Texas is where my people are. (Well, MOST of my people anyway.) And by people I mean my family, my friends and my church. Home is where your people are. It’s just a fact.
6. Because I mentioned church… BAYOU CITY FELLOWSHIP.
Listen, I realize my ALL CAPS may come across as me yelling, but I promise you I’m not. It’s just one more way to show my appreciation for my state. But seriously, I told a friend just last week that some of the most godly people I’ve met in my entire life go to my church. Servants at heart, strong leaders (and not just in the church, but in their homes, too, where it really matters), and HUMBLE. Some of the most creative and gifted people go to my church and it is so understated it’s humorous, and I mean that as a compliment. Of course I love my pastor dearly and have mad respect for him, but a church isn’t just the pastor, the worship, the teaching, it’s the people! And the people there, well they’re just good.
I’ll be honest, sometimes working a full-time job and then having to be up very early on a Sunday morning to be at church to serve rubs me the wrong way. I can say with confidence that it is my joy to serve and I wouldn’t trade that for a second, I love to do it, but yes, you would agree that it can also be tiring. One morning a couple of weeks ago I was feeling especially lethargic and had a less than stellar attitude while driving to church, but then I saw this. It’s not common for me to see the sun peak out like this when I get there, and it put a little pep in my step. I was so grateful. And that day? Well, church HAPPENED.
7. TEX-MEX.
If you’ve never experienced true tex-mex, my deepest sympathies to you. You won’t find a better fajita or enchilada than in south Texas. But don’t be fooled, not every Mexican restaurant is created equal. So next time you visit, ask a local and be treated like royalty.
8. Just HOUSTON.
I live just on the outskirts of the city, but I still live in Houston. It may not have the weather of San Francisco, or the scenery of Boulder, or the sights and sounds of NYC, but it’s Houston, and it’s unique, and diverse, and you can pretty much eat any meal from any culture at any time. And the people are nice to boot. It’s just Houston. And it’s just greatness. It’s one of the only places you can go…
From the hip city full of personality…
To watching a Texas-sized thunderstorm roll in during a cool spring evening…
To the country with the cows…
And then find hidden trails nestled in between big city roads and suburbia.
Texas, thank you for being you. You have my heart forever and ever.
Just loving this post Houston girl —- loving this post! Houston proud! Just from the other side of town!!!!!
DIGINEE! Now there is a blast from the recent past. Sometimes God reminds us of people who bless us when we simply see their name. Be blessed, Siesta.
Amen! Preach it, sister! (And I’m not just saying it because even my grandparents on my mother’s side were native Texans.) 🙂 The bluebonnets have just started to bloom here in north Dallas, but even at our best, the hill country’s wildflowers have us beaten. I definitely would have pulled over with you. When my husband and I lived overseas, I made my mom mail me photos of bluebonnets because I missed them so desperately. (“My people” more, but the sight of bluebonnets could be fixed.)
So appreciate this post, Beth. I am recently widowed and moving to Houston. I’m terrified and excited all wrapped up into one! I am born & raised Ga girl but have always loved Texas. Look forward to ALL these experiences with my youngest daughter — my oldest two I’m leaving in college in Ga, so pray for all of us!
Hi Pepper, welcome to Houston. My family and I just moved here in Oct from GA. It has been good!!!!! I’ll be praying for ya!!!
I drove from Dallas to Ft. Worth last weekend and saw tons of bluebonnets, too! So pretty! 🙂
I think I need to visit Houston one day! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Lindsey! Some people think I’m crazy to love Houston and Texas the way I do, but you get it!
I just want to say that Texas is a beautiful place to be and so is Boston, Massachusetts and if you haven’t been to Boston, Massachusetts than I would like to invite you to Visit Boston.
Best,
Casimir Zigulis
This is SPOT ON. Is it possible to have lived in crazy beautiful Hawaii for 5 years, but have a little lump form in my throat at the stunning photo of…..TEX MEX?!? Yes ma’am!! From one Texas girl transplanted & living on an island, to another who TOTALLY appreciates the simple beauty of an island with water affectionately known (in our family) as “G-town Brown,” I say, thank you for giving me a glimpse of home, Lindsee!!:) Nicely done. **insert applause** Now, please excuse me while I go hunt down a Dr.Pepper…
Smiling!
LINDSEY. You are so cute and I loved your post. And I have to tell you that I was JUST THINKING TODAY about your point number 2. I’m from California, but have lived in Peru for two years and got to be good friends with another missionary family from Louisiana. Between them and Mama Beth and I don’t even know who else, I didn’t even have to move to Texas to be “ruined.” But I can’t think of a California equivalent. And I just don’t know how my friends back in CA are going to look at me when I move back from Peru (yes, South America) and start saying “Y’all” to them. But, y’all. Sometimes it really does say it all. 🙂
Wow, Lindsee, love the Texas post and couldn’t agree more with all the beauty and wisdom you shared! And you have made this Texas girl miss my state (I now live in Florida) so much. Great pics of the bluebonnets…and now I must go find some chips & salsa. 🙂
Chips and salsa can do a homesick heart a little good. 🙂
Oh Lindsee, you just made me SOOOOO homesick!!! But it’s a good thing;) you are right, Texas is the bomb. I moved to Florida last year after living in the lone star state almost all of my life and I miss so much of this. Yes we do have sandy white beaches here, but the friendly people and southern hospitality in Texas cannot be matched. I may be geographically challenged now, but my heart will always be in Texas;)
And by the way… I can tell that is Pappasitos and I am SO jealous! Lol
Lived in Texas 25 years before coming out to the central CA coast a year and a half ago. As much as I love it out here, I could only AMEN what you said and the pictures you showed. Coastal sunsets are amazing, but so are Dallas area sunsets! Thanks for reminding me of sweet memories. And OH, the bluebonnets driving 281 from Dallas to San Antonio in the spring!
Well I’m sold! I actually love getting to say I was born in Texas but I only lived there till I was 3 and well you make me want to go back. Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures and your gratitude to our Creator for being so awesome
“And all the Texans said AMEN.” Can I just say I’m reading this at 10:45 pm and tomorrow morning early I’m driving to Austin for 8 days?! Makes me soooo happy I don’t have to read this and weep with homesickness … I’m com’n home for a spell. My oldest is in PA school there in Galvy. But I can’t say she has the same affection for it these past two years you just expressed. Couldn’t possibly be because of ‘why” she’s there… naaaaww.
Love this post, Lindsee, but then com’onnow (you started the run-on words, laughing) what did you expect from a Texas girl.
xo
Enjoy every minute here, sweet Rene! So happy you get to be reunited with your state!
For all my life…. I will love Texas!!! It’s in my blood in my bones. I have lived many places(army wife) but when I cross into Texas, I know I’m home. Thank you for sharing….
Shannon, one of my best friends is married to an air force pilot. She understand the moving around a lot, and misses Texas deeply, but loves coming “home”. Bless you!
I’ve never seen a field of bluebonnets. I need to see this in person!!! 🙂
Hi Lindsee, I love this post because, I am new to TX/Houston area. (and can I please tell you, the process of getting here involved a whole lot of kicking and screaming. Not one ounce of me wanted to move here. And as hard as I may have tried….well, it did not work. I am here. )
All that being said I am learning there is much to love about here. One of the first thing that stands out…. Oh the wildflowers…..although I did not see anything near as splendid as your picture boasts….there are sprinklings of them everywhere and they sure are beautiful!!!!!
Your post excites me because it is a good glimpse into a hopeful Texas future of a long list of reasons why I love TX. I mean seriously. How lucky am I to get to fall in love with TX. Even though I kicked and screamed the whole way here. God is good!!!!
Thanks for sharing.
P.S. Where exactly did you see the field of flowers? It might be time for a country drive.
Hi Laurie! I hope you come to love Texas and sooner than later, maybe it will feel like home to you. But consider yourself warned when June to September gets here. I do apologize for our very hot and humid weather! This field was somewhere between Houston and Round Top, I took the I-10 route, and this may be near Brenham, but you could also venture out 290 and see what you find! Hope you find a treasure!
Lindsee,
I loved that you shared your state through a tour of pictures highlighting Texas. I love NY but with all the snow we have endured it was so nice to see the flowers that spanned out like a small lake – just beautiful, thank you for this post.
Great timing! My husband is heading to Austin for a week, for work. Just sent him this blog. Will be a nice change from the cold in Canada! It reminds me to enjoy where I live. Birds are singing beautifully this morn.
This Yankee girl just got a craving for some Texan ways of life! How beautiful is the land The Lord has given us! I will ditto Casimirs love of Boston! While we don’t say Y’All we do say You Guys! Everything is wicked good in Boston and we have some of the most beautiful beaches!
I DO think Boston is beautiful. But the fact that you just threw out “wicked” in this post made me deliriously happy. Smiling!
I have to admit, it took me a couple of years to enjoy living in TX. Maybe it had to do with living in crowded neighborhoods (Plano) when there was so much space all around. We’ve been back in our native FL for 20 years, but I still miss seeing the wildflowers…the bluebonnets, cosmos, Indian paintbrush… And I miss GOOD Tex-mex food.
Oh man, I am now in serious cravings for Pappasito’s…. And the bluebonnets? Totally beautiful.
We live in TN now, after moving here from AZ, where they also have gorgeous sunsets. I love TN, but I think I would love TX too. In fact we told our daughter, Rachel, who is looking at colleges, that she needs to stay within 300 miles of Chattanooga. The only exception to that rule is if she wants to go to a college in TX. Seriously!
Blessings to you Lindsee!
Adrienne
I spent 6.5 of my first 7 years in El Paso; all my brothers were born there and even though we moved when I was in second grade I still claim El Paso as “home.” Of course, West Texas is completely different from Houston, but it’s still Texas. Thanks for the pictorial tour of our great state.
I needed this so much! Three years ago I moved back to TX after living in CA 43 yrs. I left a wonderful church, special friends, natural beauty, and have had trouble blooming where I am now planted. Hey, I can’t even get plants to bloom! But your words reached deep where I needed them to, and I am now committed to liking, no, loving, TEXAS. Because I need to. Because God has a plan for me here too.
Amen, Becky! I’m cheering you on as well. Here’s to falling in love with Texas all over again.
Yes, everyone should spend some time in TX–if not forever, just for a time of education and culture. I live in the Kansas City area but my grandparents lived south of San Antonio. We loved going there in the summer–maybe not all the hours in the car, although some were very memorable for my younger brothers and myself. They were probably memorable for our parents in different ways. Trips down I-35 were broken up by a day at Six Flags-Arlington. Once in south TX, catching horny toads, surviving the 100 degree weather and experiencing small town life kept us occupied. I then went to college in Dallas and got to enjoy TX from Sept-May. This is when I first discovered the bluebonnets. I did, however, learn the word Ya’ll-yes, it is a real word- from my South Carolina cousins. They thought we were so strange for saying “you guys”. I worked in Dallas for 3 years before getting married and returning to the KC area. Have me some real special people in TX!
I just spent my honeymoon in Texas and my husband took me to San Antonio. On the drive there I had the pleasure of seeing the blue bonnets. Of course we did pull over to take a picture. Just beautiful.
I’m a Texas girl … transplanted to Fl right now but my goodness I did enjoy your Texas tale … beautiful wild flowers are a God thing.
Thanks …
Lindsee,
As a TX girl transplanted to another Southern state almost 20 years ago, I take every opportunity to “go home” as often as possible. You can take the girl out of TX but you can’t take the TX out of the girl!!
Oh, those lovely flowers! I’ve never visited Texas although I do have relatives in Houston. Galveston, of course, is where the big hurricane made landfall in 1900.
I am originally from MO, transplanted to OK via Alabama and Chicago. When people ask us “what brought you to OK?” my son jokes “the herd moved”. Nomads!
Anyhoo……
My husband and I travelled to the DFW area last year, and I. FELL. IN. LOVE. with Texas. I mean, something about that place just clicked with me. Seriously, I was asking when we could load the moving van, I was ready to pack up and move. We travelled across the state and it felt like home.
Can I be an honorary Texan? 🙂
I guess if you’ve been to Texas, you can be an honorary Texan. Grin.
As I read your post, was reminded of a feeling that washed over my heart at church last evening…my home church offers Prayer & Praise night on the first Wednesday of each month. As I sat listening to the opening comment from my beloved pastor, the word HOME pierced my heart…as if the Spirit gave me a huge hug saying I so glad you came home tonight to share in worshiping our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. Home is a tricky subject for me as 40-something Jesus girl…moved often growing up and Home is always more of where “my people” are residing/gathering than a specific town, house or place. I’ve been in my current town for a decade now and in my home church for 8 years where I’ve definitely “come home” in my personal relationship with God. All the lovely things you described about Texas are blessings God gifted to your life to offer comfort…And I hear shouting out your church name in all caps…as my church home too is where I find the most peace, love & comfort consistently(especially on days obedience triumphs over my flesh’s preference to sleep in). Thanks for sharing & have a blessed day – from a Hoosier girl – equally enamored with my Indiana home as you are Texas. 🙂
Even though I’m not a Texan, I do have to agree with you. I spent 2 winters & springs there and oh, how I miss the bluebonnet and the Indian Paintbrush. The bluebonnets were my favorite. They are absolutely stunning by themselves or with the red of the Indian Paintbrush mixed in. Spent a week in Galveston at the National Park located right on the Gulf. It was a week of memorable sunsets!! You definitely have a state to be proud of!!
Lindsee-
I beginning to understand ‘Texas pride’ a little more because we were just visiting 2 of our sons in DFW area last week! This Ohio girl is definitely a wanna-be cowgirl. 🙂 We had a blast, and Texas is growing on us each time we are there. Loved the post!
Lindsee… Those sunset and sunrise pictures have left me speechless. Just yesterday I was thinking about sunsets and how much I love them. In fact, (and this is where I embrace and own the fact that I’m a single 24 year old girl) I found myself in a daydream yesterday about the perfect date which pretty much involved driving to a beautiful place to watch the sunset. I try not to live in dream world too much but I enjoyed that one! (Side note: I live in Kansas City and I recently learned that a spot in east/central KS – about 2 hours outside of KC – was voted one of the best places in the WORLD to watch a sunset! Um… Yes, please!)
Oh, I might just have to visit that place to watch the most beautiful sunset!
You should! I’ll go with you! Here’s the article I read about it and the sunset picture in it is enough to convince me that I must go sometime!
http://www.kansascity.com/2014/02/19/4834360/one-of-the-best-places-in-the.html
LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this post. Why is it that we sometimes feel we have to apologize for being in love with Houston? Yes, it’s messy, yes, there are dark parts, but I guess you have to actually live here to appreciate the diversity and the uniqueness of the city. I’m a crazy person who loves to be stuck waiting for a train because I love to watch the graffiti go by…it’s a modern art museum on wheels!!! In my commute every morning I am blessed not to have to travel the freeways…and I travel one long straight multi-lane road south to north. I go through neighborhoods built in the 50’s through several different ethnic communities to one of the mnost affluent neighborhoods in the city. All on ONE ROAD! Within 20 minutes. And while my friends to the northeastern U.S. are complaining about snow & dreary days, I’m looking out my window to the sun shining, blue sky and 70 degree weather!!!! It’s like the adage “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” You have to experience Houston to love it!!! Once again, thank you for this beautiful post! (and I’m heading to the hill country on Friday with a car full of 4 generations)!!!!
Lindsee, you crack me up!
I was born in Houston, but we moved around (from GA to CA!) but we came back to Houston after I graduated college. Every place has its charm but there is something about this crazy state (this crazy town!) I smile every morning as I drive to work in west Houston because I drive through suburbia and yet in one block I pass a modern apartment complex on one side of the street and a field of longhorn cattle right across the street! I love it! And all this is just about 11 miles from the Galleria! 🙂 It’s all good, y’all.
LOVE your post!!!!
Was able to visit in January for the Siesta Memory Verse gathering. Fell in love with your city during that brief visit. You are absolutely right about the Tex Mex, I still often think about it 🙂 Just wanted to say Thank You for sharing how hard it can be to serve on a Sunday morning. Can not tell you what comfort that gave me and the guilt it lifted!!!!
You are an amazing lady there Lindsee and your gifts are reaching more people than you will ever know. Thank you for serving, especially when it’s hard. 🙂
Lori, you just encouraged ME. Thank you for allowing me that space and for letting me I’m not alone! Here’s to the Lord granting us supernatural energy to serve every Sunday morning. Blessings to you!
….I forgot to add that I agree with you that the best part of Texas is BAYOU CITY FELLOWSHIP! I feel so honored that God led me to the most wonderful family of believers! My life has been so blessed and I’ve grown spritiually and emotionally so much in just the 4 short months I’ve been attending! I wasn’t feeling all that great this past Sunday – and I hadn’t missed one Sunday since I started at the end of November – so I stayed home…and I have literally been grieving the loss of one Sunday without “my people”! It is such a blessing from God where ever we are in this world, to find a truly God-seeking Christ centered family who come alongside us, who are living this Christian life “fo’realsies” and not for “showsies.” Our curch is truly a place where the only solution, anwser, question, reason, thought, action, is Jesus. It’s not what we look like to the outsiders… it’s who we are on the inside. I’ve been in church all my life and while I have a great Biblical foundation, I finally found a place of true worship.
That makes my heart so glad, Terri! Rejoicing with you!
Hi Beth, just quick note to say love you sweet Texan girl. Thanks so much for sharing your life with us. You inspire us all to live more free in Jesus and that leads us to bee more open to this amazing beautiful planet earth we live on and God’s great creation and His people too.
Ever running to win the PRIZE 🙂
Meet you at the finish line,
Altalynn
Just fell in love all over again…sigh
You need to come to Canada! Come see Majestic Mountains & Long Beaches, Stunning Old Forest Growth, colors that make the rainbow blush! 😉 No Snakes!!!
Our West Coast is STUNNING! 🙂 You would be Most Welcome!
Thanks for the tour, it was Lovely! I would never say anything bad about places I never been! The beach looked fun, your sunsets/rises pictures make it homey, and yes people are the layer on which all our lives are enriched!
A delightful read on this beautiful day!
Beautiful post! I’m reading this from Castle Rock, Colorado. Loved all of your pictures.
This was so beautiful, thank you Lindsee, I love my Houston as well, I love it, and I don’t ever want to leave it! 🙂 Even though God has brought me through some trials in this big city, He hasn’t let me move and finally seeing it for its beauty.
THANK YOU!! from a Texas Hill Country Girl, although I love Houston ,as that is where I was married and had ny first beautiful daughter with blue ,bluebonnet eyes. My honeymoon was in Galveston on the Flagship hotel (that was back in the day ya’ll). I can get lost any day on Texas back roads and grew up in a small town ….first time I went out of my small town I was 19 . Went to Dallas. ( it awstruck me)… Another biggie is thanking the lord for putting Beth Moore bible studies.as my life changer guide from God !!!!
Thank you so much for this post on Houston, it really touched my heart. My husband has received a job offer in the Houston area and we soon will be moving from FL to TX. He will be attending your church since it’s a couple of miles from his office next weekend. Please keep us in prayer as we transition since we have ministries here in FL and we will also be apart for sometime before we are fully moved. Thank you so much and the words you shared on the church just made me cry!!
Oh Sister, thank you for sharing. I am hoping you will come to love this state and this city. Praying right now that the Lord would give you sweet interactions and opportunities to minster here as well. Please know we would love to have you at BCF. I have no doubt you’ll meet a friendly face when you visit! Welcome to Houston…very soon!
As a new Houston resident, I have fallen in love with this city too! And BCF! We love our community group. They are seriously some of the best friends we have ever had.
Lindsee- God has been putting it on my heart lately to tell you this, but I don’t listen very well: It is always such a blessing when you are part of the worship team. God has greatly gifted you. More than that though, I always get so excited to read the LPM blog posts. They frequently speak to something going on in my life and I feel like God is saying, “I know you needed this.” Thank you for letting Him use you!
Also, where is that beautiful bike trail? I am always looking for fun rides for my family.
Stephanie, your words encouraged me deeply today. Thank you! I’m so glad you’re at BCF. So glad. And those trails were near the 249 area! But there are a ton all over Houston. Enjoy!
Lindsee, thank you for your beautiful tribute to my home state! Although I now reside in NM, I will always hold Texas dear in my heart. Our families still live there, and we look forward to visiting several times a year. My favorite picture is your Murdoch’s back porch picture with the rocking chairs – one of my favorite places in the world! You made me smile today! God’s blessings upon you, my Texas sister!
I just had to add my own two cents…thanks for this post! We’ve been in TX for 3 years now and have enjoyed discovering so much of what you describe…thanks for putting it in a nutshell! 😀
I had the pleasure of meeting you at Bayou City Fellowship about a year ago. I have just recently sold my house in Indiana and am preparing to move to Houston to be near my daughter’s family (including 5 grandchildren.) I look forward to seeing all you described about Houston and falling in love with it. I also look forward to getting involved at Bayou City Fellowship and seeing you again.
I hope your move goes smoothly, Nancy and I pray you feel welcome at BCF when that day comes!