Beautiful Things to See

Our last three stops have been unique. Better than visiting National Parks, monuments, or historical points of interest, we've been able to connect with friends.

Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida are all interesting places to visit, but the people that live there are better than the most beautiful of beaches.

Bill and Debbie in Mississippi welcomed us to their "barn." That's what they call it (and it used to be one), but they've made it so much more. It is one of the most warm, peaceful, and welcoming places to be. The kids loved driving around on the surrounding acreage in the golf cart and Max especially enjoyed throwing endless things into the fire with Bill. John loved the opportunity to take Max fishing thanks to Bill and Deb's sweet friends. Debbie and I spent time thrifting and doing puzzles--two of my very favorite things. She also took me to an ice cream shop in the metropolis of Wiggins, Mississippi (pop. 4,200) which just happened to have a real live sloth inside! Our four nights there could have just as easily been 40 and I still wouldn't have wanted to leave.

After Mississippi, we drove to Alabama where we stayed at Gulf State Park (highly recommend) and met up with dear friends and encouragers, Rike and Pam. We enjoyed a couple warm calm beach days together, explored the state park (where we found a mama gator with babies on her back!), and got spoiled by Pam's delicious Red Beans and Rice. The entire visit seemed a little like a dream since Rike had recently fought a battle with cancer, kicked its rear, and is still recovering. To be in their company was to sit and rest in answered prayer. I couldn't stop thanking the Lord!

Most recently, we've been spending time in Florida visiting The "Bees" whom we met on the road back in 2022. We haven't seen them since they moved to the panhandle in early '23 (but you wouldn't know it to watch our kids together). They haven't skipped a beat!

From super touristy afternoons like the one we spent walking around Seaside (the town where The Truman Show was filmed), to wonderfully mundane evenings sitting and talking while our kids got lost in conversations of their own, it was just good to be with them.

I read a book recently in which a character said, "I love those small hints that God brings people together and goes, "Here ya go. This one’s for you.” That is definitely our story with these friends. The Lord built a friendship for us and I am glad.

These last three stops have been full of faces we know and reminders that the Lord is faithful and so so kind.