There Goes Connie

7 Outstanding Reasons to Visit St. Simons Island, GA

01/30/2017 By: CCPearson2 Comments

Last April, Steve and I were invited to participate in a press trip to St. Simons Island, a place that was completely new to us. The purpose of the trip was to introduce travel writers and bloggers to a part of the Atlantic Coast which is unknown to many. We absolutely loved it! The setting, the resort, the historical connections, the quirks, the special people and the FOOD were all amazing. If you go — and I hope you will — let me mention 7 things you should not miss.

King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort. I have written about it extensively here. But, I want to mention it again, specially because of the over-the-top cuisine of Chef James Flack. It helps, of course, that he has abundant seafood literally in his back yard (the Resort IS oceanfront), but his culinary skills and imagination take dishes to new heights. I don’t think I had ever seen such beautiful food, without even considering the incredible taste.

One section of historic King and Prince Resort.

Bounty from the Atlantic.

2. Cap Fendig. Whether you want a relaxed trolley tour on land or a boat tour to spot dolphins on your way to Sidney Lanier Bridge, Cap Fendig should be your go-to source. He is a native of St. Simons and knows the place through and through. We got to experience his knowledge in both settings and enjoyed him thoroughly. Such a great personality.

Cap Fendig’s trolley

Sidney Lanier Bridge

Boat in the port on St. Simons Island

Sidney Lanier Bridge

Cap Fendig’s boat

Cap Fendig teaching his guests about his island

3. Visit Christ Church on Frederica Road. Read about its storied history here. Such names as James Oglethorpe and John Wesley immediately get your attention. You’ll find descriptions of stained glass windows, one of which is an authentic, unsigned Tiffany creation, and of the gorgeous needlework wall hangings. And when you sit in the pews, you will enjoy knowing that former U.S. Presidents Coolidge, Carter and Bush may have sat in the same spot. The adjoining cemetery is also a fascinating place to spend some time. Be sure to find the burial spot of Southern novelist,Euginia Price. The words on her tombstone are: “After her conversion to Jesus Christ, October 2, 1949, she wrote ‘Light … and eternity and love and all are mine at last.” Indeed.

Pew in Christ Church

4. Visit Fort Frederica National Monument. Yes, this is the place where the British defeated the Spanish in 1742, which meant that Georgia remained a British colony. But, the National Park Service has expanded the guest experience to include much more. It is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day from 9:00 to 5:00. Plan to spend a couple of hours, and I guarantee you’ll come out feeling smarter than when you went in.

Fort Frederica

5. Go to the beautiful Visitors Center and see the mermaid tree spirit carved by Keith Jennings beside the building. There are other tree spirits scattered throughout the island. Ask questions in the Visitors Center or read more here. Don’t worry. We were told that these carvings do NOT harm the trees. Seems implausible, but that’s the information we got.

Interior of the Visitors Center

6. Visit the St. Simons Island Lighthouse, take the colorful, informative tour, and climb to the top if you’re feeling energetic. Lighthouses are not a part of our Alabama culture. Maybe that’s what makes them doubly intriguing to me. This one is really beautiful. And, of course, my Silver Fox made the climb.

7. Enjoy dinner at Georgia Sea Grill. This is another place to find delectable seafood prepared by an accomplished chef. Check out a few of the dishes we sampled with our tablemates. So, so good.

Look at the size of those scallops!

Georgia Sea Grill

Look at your calendar. Pick out some dates. Start planning a visit to St. Simons Island. You’ll be glad.

Pain

01/27/2017 By: CCPearson2 Comments

Last week I had a surgical procedure that resulted in a great deal of pain. And, for the four days after the procedure, I was oh, so grateful for medicines to relieve pain. Happily, the need for pain medicine has subsided, and I feel that I am back on the upswing once again.

But, as I’ve thought about my own pain, numerous faces have come to my mind who endure pain constantly. My pain was acute — at least according to the definition — in that “it came on quickly and is expected to go away in a matter of weeks or months if treated properly.” Acute pain is temporary and results from something specific such as an injury, cut, infection, or in my case, surgery. Chronic pain, on the other hand, lasts much longer and even continues past the time when the original problem has healed. People with chronic pain are likely to include those with fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, migraines, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), back, neck, pelvis and head pain. I have several friends who have battled migraine headaches for YEARS. I can’t imagine that kind of suffering and the toll it takes on a person’s body and psyche over time.

What about all of my friends battling cancer? Not only do they have physical pain from chemo, radiation and all other kinds of treatments, they also have emotional pain springing from the many unknowns in their lives during and after the treatments end. Each twinge is a reminder that The Big C could come back to strike again.

It’s hard to think about anything other than the pain itself when we experience it. We just want somebody to “make it go away.” In all likelihood, we are not the best versions of ourselves when we’re in pain. I’ve known very few people who were consistent witnesses for Christ during such times. An instance I will never forget involves my dear friend Ruth Cost who died in 2000. I had the honor of playing for her funeral. But, several years before she died, she had to have a large portion of one of her lungs removed. Steve and I went to visit her in the hospital in Birmingham after her surgery. Even though she was in obvious pain, she used a soft, kind voice and greeted everyone (nurses, doctors, family members and friends) who came through her door graciously. I was in awe of her display of Christ-likeness.

No one WANTS to be in pain, with the possible exception of a woman ready to deliver her long-anticipated baby. And even then, in my case, I was HAPPY to have a saddle block (epidurals didn’t come along until after my children were born).

My conclusions this week?

I am a chicken about pain.

I am not as compassionate as I should be toward those who are in pain. My children would step up first to testify to that fact. When they woke up on school mornings complaining of stomach aches, sore throats, headaches, etc., my standard first response was “Just get up and stir around a little bit and you’ll feel better.” Sometimes that did indeed solve the problem, but other times I ended up with vomit on the carpet because I didn’t take their complaints seriously. And, no, I’m not proud to admit this.

The good news is that there is coming a day when there will be NO MORE PAIN. Hallelujah!

Revelation 21:4 “And He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or PAIN; the first things have passed away.”

What a day that will be!

Albany Bistro Announces an Expansion

01/23/2017 By: CCPearson2 Comments

Have I convinced you to try Albany Bistro in Decatur yet? Located at 1051 Grant Street, SE, in Decatur, it is perfectly situated for the neighborhood it graces. Chef Jakob Reed and his staff do a phenomenal job of serving fresh, delicious dishes in a vintage ambience. It is open Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner — 11:00 – 2:00 and 5:00 – 9:00 p.m., on Saturday, it is open for dinner from 5:00 to 9:00 and on Sunday a brunch menu is offered from 11:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Three friends and I recently visited for lunch, and, as always, our meal was outstanding. Check out these entrees:

Buttermilk chicken with potatoes, collards and pan gravy. The chicken was moist and tender, and the portion was JUST RIGHT — not too much, not too little.

Mom’s meatloaf with potatoes and green beans.

Beef stroganoff with mushroom-filled ravioli, and tender chunks of filet, mushrooms and onions.

Salmon with asparagus. Both delicious and very healthy.

Since it was the Christmas season, the four of us chose to share one piece of the Bistro’s signature cheesecake creation — Coffee and Toffee. We saw whole cheesecakes going out the door, no doubt headed to be the hit of a holiday party.

Check out the website here to read about other lunch and dinner specialties.

But, now, in addition to this location, Chef Jakob is expanding his horizon and introducing even more people to his skills and concepts by opening another restaurant in conjunction with the multi-million dollar expansion of the Welcome Center at Huntsville Botanical Gardens. Table in the Garden is set to open this spring and will provide seating for 90 people, 50 indoors and 40 on the outdoor patio. The menu will feature seasonal produce that is locally sourced. Catering will be offered for the event venues at the Botanical Gardens, and there will even be an on-line ordering opportunity for those who want to pick up a quick lunch or carry something home for dinner as they are leaving work in Huntsville.

Chef Jakob believes strongly in the farm-to-table movement and is a proponent of sustainability. He enjoys serving organic ingredients and developed his love for cooking by watching his grandmother.

Make your plans soon to visit Albany Bistro in Decatur and watch for an announcement about the Grand Opening of Table in the Garden in just a few short months.

Inauguration Day Prayer, January 20, 2017

01/20/2017 By: CCPearson3 Comments

Dear Father,

This very morning the United States of America will watch as a new President and Vice President take the oath of office and become the leaders of our country. I pray earnestly for Donald Trump and Mike Pence. God, grant them wisdom in all the decisions they will be called upon to make. Surround them with wise, godly people to advise them and challenge them to be the best they can be.

Give them fresh ideas and insights into what can be done to guide our country onto solid ground — morally, militarily, economically and in any of the areas where they will have an influence to make a positive difference. Show them ways to unify our country and put a spirit of cooperation into the members of Congress so that all of these leaders will have the best interests of Americans as their goal.

Please grant them safety today and preserve their health during this term of office. Keep them from harm. Put a hedge of protection around them. Please cause any protests to be peaceful and non-violent.

“Let the words of their mouths and the meditations of their hearts be acceptable in Your sight.” Psalm 19:14 If they start to go down a bad path, intervene to turn them around.

Dear Father, bless their families today and in the next four years. Give Melania Trump and Karen Pence the patience, the stamina and the ability to keep the confidence of their husbands and be completely supportive of their duties which will certainly create times of separation and stress. Help them to realize the tremendous potential they have to be good role models for so many. Bless the children of Donald Trump and Mike Pence: Charlotte, Audrey and Michael Pence and Ivanka, Tiffany, Eric, Donald, Jr. and Baron Trump. Be especially near to young Baron who likely faces the most unsettling changes in his life. Protect them all from cruel media and from people who might want to cause them pain. Help all members of both families to be strong and to seek Your will in their lives.

Prick my heart to continue to intercede for them in the days, weeks, months and years ahead, knowing that my responsibility is to pray for them and to be a good citizen of the United States.

Thank you, Father, for this country. Please draw us back to You. Remind us again and again of Your promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Let us see Your power at work during these next four years.

Continue to bless Barack, Michelle, Malia and Sasha Obama and protect them as they begin another chapter in their lives.

I ask all of these things in the Name of Jesus, my Savior. Amen.

Ira Chaffin, Sculptor Extraordinaire: One of the Fascinating People We’ve Met in our Travels

01/16/2017 By: CCPearsoncomment

I am SO VERY GLAD that Steve and I had an opportunity to meet, to talk with, and to watch Ira Chaffin in action last May in Birmingham. We spent two nights in one of the B & B’s owned by Chaffin and his wife Sheila and learned that he was a renowned sculptor who even had a Carousel Carving School in the basement of the inn where we were staying. Furthermore, he welcomed visitors!

Sadly, the Chaffin Carousel Carving School no longer exists . . . but once, it did.

We saw him in action with one of his students and listened as he told how the process of carving a carousel animal takes place.

Ira Chaffin — planning ahead is vital to success.

Ira Chaffin — how a carousel head is blocked and formed.

Ira Chaffin — looking at the smooth finished results.

Ira Chaffin — some teeth are carved, some are ordered elsewhere and inserted.

And the room upstairs where we were staying had some of his most opulent finished pieces on display in the bay window.

Hassinger Daniels Mansion bay window in the Camelot Room.

Ira mentioned that he often hosts homeschool groups and Boy Scout troops who are interested in his craft, so naturally that led to one of our favorite topics — our 12 grandchildren. He quickly agreed to host us for a couple of hours during the coming summer’s Cousins Camp, and we set a date. A couple of days before we were to arrive (and before we realized we’d have to postpone Cousins Camp because of my dad’s illness), Sheila Chaffin called to tell us that Ira wouldn’t be able to meet the children after all because he was in the hospital. I told her that we certainly understood and would plan a time in the future.

Closeup of a magnificent carved winged horse in the parlor.

Unfinished giraffes sit in the window.

Sadly, when we finally WERE able to plan Cousins Camp for the week before Thanksgiving, I received a heart-breaking reply from my inquiry about scheduling a visit. Ira died of inoperable pancreatic cancer on September 5, 2016.

Ira had a rare skill. Very few people have the ability he had to make blocks of wood come alive. And his was one of only 4 carving schools in the United States. One of his quotes that I loved was: “It takes approximately an hour to learn to carve wood. But it takes a lifetime to learn to be a good decision maker.” Obviously, once something is carved away, it can’t be replaced. So, Mr. Chaffin knew and taught others to do plenty of planning before carving.

It is still possible, of course, to see examples of Ira Chaffin’s work. Mrs. Chaffin continues to operate two B & B’s in the Five Points area of Birmingham. The location is near several top-rated restaurants and the inns’ architecture and decor are remarkable. Sheila is a gracious hostess who loves to talk about the history and details of her properties.

Cobb Lane Bed and Breakfast

Hassinger Daniels Mansion Bed and Breakfast — This one doesn’t have a separate website, but you can see it here on Facebook. Plus, I wrote an article about it for Trip101.com here.

Steve and I see so many amazing sights on this travel writing journey, but by far, our favorite part is getting to meet fascinating people all along the way.

Food, Hunger and January Diets

01/13/2017 By: CCPearson1 Comment

It’s no surprise that gyms are full of new signees in January, that Weight Watcher memberships rise, and that diet products of every description fly off the grocery shelves once New Year’s Day comes to a close. It makes sense. After a summer of backyard barbecues and homemade ice cream, we sail into fall with its tailgating, Saturday football watching/munching marathons, bags of Halloween candy, Thanksgiving tables that groan under the weight and then round after round of Christmas parties that just wouldn’t be “right” without all of the casseroles, candies, pies and cakes. Throw in the constant stream of restaurant meals serving single portions large enough for 3 people, and the shocking act of stepping on the scales on January 2nd is a horrifying experience.

Our doctors look at us with dismay, and our clothes pop buttons and beg us to buy a bigger size. We claim that “it’s cold and a good day to hang out in sweat pants,” but truthfully, we hang out in those sweat pants whether it’s cold or not, because they’re baggy and have an elastic waist. Some of us view food as our emotional fixer. When we’re depressed, we eat. When we’re worried, we eat. When we’re bored, we eat. When we’re happy, we eat. “Let’s go out and celebrate!” Right? We don’t like to be hungry or thirsty or feel deprived in any way.

Yet, I think there is clear indication in the Bible that we NEED to feel more times of true hunger and thirst in our lives. No, not the kind suffered by starving people during times of famine or the pitiful scenarios of desperate refugees in makeshift camps. That’s just almost more than we can endure, right? But, maybe that desperateness is something we really DO need to feel, especially if it is a desperation and craving for more of God.

The Psalmist understood. Psalm 63:1 – “O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water.” And Psalm 42:2 “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God?” That yearning is so very important to our growth as His children, to understanding Him and His ways more completely, for learning to trust in His plans for our lives, and for truly grasping what He desires for us and from us.

We have a promise straight from the mouth of Jesus in John 6:35: “Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” And another indication of what He wants us to thirst and hunger for (rather than rich, unhealthy food) is in Matthew 5:6 is: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

And another tidbit my daughter Laura pointed out to me this morning in Hebrews 13:9: “. . . for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods . . .”

As we all renew our commitment to make healthier choices in this coming year, will you join me in seeking to earnestly hunger and thirst for more of God and less of what TV commercials and restaurant menus would have us believe we simply must have? Shall we substitute cravings for fatty foods and sweet tea for more time with Him? We’ve spoiled ourselves rotten far too long. This won’t be easy. But the Bible promises that coming to Him will satisfy our deep-down hunger and thirst.

P.S. I am a travel writer. I write restaurant reviews. Gulp. Hold me accountable. I can taste something without consuming “all of it” and 10,000 calories in the process. Right? I can share with Steve and bring home doggie bags. Right? Food (like money) is not inherently evil. It’s the overboard consumption and LOVE of food that’s the killer. I never said all of this would be easy. Thus, the purpose of today’s blog. To remind myself of how God wants to direct my own hunger and thirst. Just being transparent in my blog today. Progress reports to come.

Hormel, a Blowtorch, and Saucy Mama

01/09/2017 By: CCPearson1 Comment

When you have a large group of Food Bloggers from all over the country gathered together for a big Summit before the World Food Championship competition kicks off, the sponsors of such an event become critical to its success. Two such sponsors that I particularly enjoyed were Hormel and Saucy Mama.

Naturally, I had heard of — and TASTED — Hormel products for many years, but they cranked their presentation up a huge notch with a demonstration of cooking via a blowtorch. Yes, a BLOWTORCH. Only, to be super cool, they called their monster torch the BRO-TORCH. In order to cook several dozen hot dogs at once using a blowtorch that could shoot flames for 25 feet, we went outside (not a bad deal considering we were in Orange Beach) WITH a fire marshall in tow to be sure we stayed safe and scorch-free. We didn’t eat those hot dogs, but I can assure you they were well-done.

Once we were back inside, a medium-sized blowtorch was used to make a delicious Hawaiian-style chili where fresh pineapple and several vegetables were broiled using the torch then mixed with some Hormel chili. The smell was amazing, and everyone wanted a sample. It was DELICIOUS!!

I now have my own much-smaller blowtorch at home. Baked Alaska, Creme Brulee and some yet-to-be-determined concoctions await.

In another activity on the opening day of our Summit, bloggers were asked to create a tailgate-style recipe using one of the products by Saucy Mama. Then, we practiced photographing our creations. Mine was a Tropical Roll-up, featuring sliced ham, toasted macadamia nuts, crushed pineapple and Saucy Mama’s Orange Habanero Sauce. In MY opinion, it was pretty tasty, but thank goodness, we were not being judged on our efforts.

Other important sponsors included Wickles Pickles, Bubba Burger, Challenge Butter, Wampler’s Farm Sausage Company and the happy egg co. My daughter Julie (who raises chickens, along with her 7 children) would have loved the happy egg display and talk. The company boasts of being the first free range egg brand to be Humane Certified, and they give their hens ten times more space than most other free range brands. No wonder the eggs taste so fresh and . . . . HAPPY!

I thoroughly enjoyed the Food Bloggers Summit and appreciate the generosity of all its sponsors.

COMPLETE Obedience Requires Careful Listening

01/06/2017 By: CCPearsoncomment

“Golpea la roca!” “Golpea la roca!” I remember hearing an Ecuadorian preacher say those words over and over during a sermon years ago from Exodus 17:1-6. I confess that I understood only a small portion of that sermon, but those particular words stuck in my mind. “Strike the rock!” God told Moses to use his rod to strike the rock in order to get fresh water for the people. It was a specific instruction to fill a specific need. The preacher was using the passage to remind the congregation of the importance of obeying God’s commands in all the areas of their lives. It’s a fascinating story.

The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. ²So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.”

Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?”

³But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?”

⁴Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.”

⁵The Lord answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. ⁶I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. Exodus 17:1-6

Everything turned out great. The people had water, and Moses continued to demonstrate that he was God’s chosen man to lead them.

BUT, a big problem came up in the very next book of the Bible. Once again the people were thirsty and complained bitterly and loudly to Moses and his brother Aaron. Again, Moses cried out to the Lord for an answer. The Lord spoke to him and said —

“Take the rod; and you and your brother Aaron assemble the congregation and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it may yield its water. You shall thus bring forth water for them out of the rock and let the congregation and their beasts drink.” Numbers 20:8

So Moses did ALMOST exactly what God had commanded. He took his rod. He assembled the people. They stood before the rock. But instead of SPEAKING to the rock, he struck it twice with his rod. Water came gushing out of the rock, but God was displeased. So displeased, in fact, that he declared that neither Moses nor Aaron would be allowed to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.

Speak.

Strike.

Both words begin with the same letter and end with the same letter sound — at least in English. I need to ask my son what the words are in Hebrew. But the commands from God were distinctive and specific, and Moses chose to disregard the difference. He suffered a huge consequence for obeying PARTIALLY.

What has God told me to do that I’ve only done a percentage of but not 100%? When have I followed His instructions for me from last year but not the ones for this year? In what areas have I failed to believe that He wants to show me and teach me something NEW and to reveal even more of His power and holiness? Why do I stop short of complete obedience?

These are questions I’m asking myself as I look at my fresh, clean 2017 calendar. What will total obedience to God look like this year and where will it take me? I hope I’ll be willing to find out.

Gourmet Oysters from Murder Point in Bayou la Batre, AL

01/02/2017 By: CCPearsoncomment

Steve and I LOVE raw oysters. Fried oysters, oyster stew, oyster dressing, oyster po’ boys, etc. are all great, but the raw ones are extra-special. Until a few weeks ago, we’d only eaten them raw, served in an ice-filled tray with cocktail sauce and crackers. But, when we visited Murder Point Oyster Farm, we saw them come directly out of the water where they were shucked on the spot and handed to us in their purest, freshest form. With just a hint of saltiness, they were plump, buttery and delicious.

Oyster farming is hard work!! Dr. Bill Walton, affectionately known as “Dr. Oyster,” is an expert in this field and has proven to be a huge resource for oyster farmers along the Gulf Coast. The fact that he’s associated with Auburn University makes him particularly good — in my humble opinion. 🙂

Murder Point is owned by the Zirlatt family, and we had a chance to meet Rosa, the matriarch and her son Lane on the morning we visited. Try to imagine what it must be like to do your farming in a wetsuit or in waders that go up to your armpits. Oysters at Murder Point are grown in baskets that are suspended just below the surface of the water. Those canisters are “shaken up” regularly which encourages the shells to grow deeper rather than wider and discourages barnacles from forming. So, the shells on these oysters are remarkably clean and unblemished. As a result, the oyster residing inside grows to perfection. So much so, that in some restaurants, they are sold for $3.00 each!! The Murder Point oysters are definitely deserving of a gourmet market. You can read much more about the oyster farming process on the website here, plus there are entertaining and informative videos.

Farming oysters means spending a lot of time in the waters of the Gulf checking the baskets of oysters.

The final product of all that work — shucking and sharing the plump, buttery oysters — with Zane and Rosa standing side by side.

And I have to add that I was very impressed with the Zirlatt family — its closeness and the work ethic so evident. I liked Rosa immediately. She was involved in so much of our visit, but especially in showing us the baby oysters in the “nursery.” I learned that she has 11 grandchildren and cooks lunch for the whole family every Sunday. I’m sure that contributes greatly to their family bonding. Good for her!! And her son Zane has boyish good looks, a great smile and obviously loves his work. This family were formerly shrimpers and were looking for a way to diversify. They found it in oysters.

Lane Zirlatt talks to food bloggers about his passion — growing oysters.

Rosa Zirlatt scoops up a handful of baby oysters to show the curious bloggers.

I’m afraid I’ve now become something of an Oyster Snob and doubt that any will ever live up to the standards at Murder Point. If you get a chance, for goodness sakes, try them! Amazing. Fisher’s in Orange Beach and 5 Point Public House Oyster Bar in Birmingham feature them, as well as other “discerning” restaurants around the country.

Follow them on Twitter #butterlove.

Stepping into 2017

12/30/2016 By: CCPearson12 Comments

Many things happened in my life during 2016. Some events were awfully good, while others were just plain awful. Can you relate to that?

Because of my new identity as a travel writer, I discovered hundreds of new restaurants, inns, attractions and towns. In January, I focused on Tuscaloosa and the Shoals. In February, we were in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. In March, we made a great anniversary trip to Plantation Country in Louisiana between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. In April, we discovered the beauty of St. Simons Island, Georgia and more unique shops and eateries in Franklin, TN. And in May, we explored the Five Points area of Birmingham and found several uncommonly good restaurants. In August, we spent several days in Auburn and at Calloway Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA. In October, we spent a week on the stunningly gorgeous coast of Maine, and in November, we were back in Auburn to cheer on the Tigers, in Orange Beach for a Food Bloggers Summit and in Franklin to enjoy 3 of the grandkids. Along the way, we met interesting people and made delightful new friends. Then came Cousins Camp and Thanksgiving. Talk about a whirlwind!!!

But, in the middle of all of that traveling, we faced the unexpected death of my beloved stepmother June, the subsequent care of my dad requiring numerous trips to Troy, the ordeal of moving him to north Alabama and then discovering his dire diagnosis of mylodysplastic syndrome. He died exactly 5 months and 2 days after June died.

While I was facing grief in my own family, I had several close friends walking through the last weeks and days with their loved ones, too. All of the sadness was agonizing.

2016 brought many, many tears, while it also provided numerous happy times with friends and family. It’s a good thing I didn’t know what all would happen this year. But, BECAUSE of all that happened in 2016, I’m a little extra apprehensive about all that 2017 will bring. Notice that I didn’t use the word “anxious,” because the Bible clearly tells us to “be anxious for nothing.” Philippians 4:6. I don’t have a crystal ball. I can’t see what lies ahead. At this point, I can only see a small glimpse of what the early days of January MIGHT be like.

Recently, the weatherman warned that we would have “frozen fog” the following morning. I had to be out and about and stopped long enough to capture this phenomenon as I drove through my neighborhood. To me, it’s a good depiction of what our view of 2017 is like. We can see a hint of what is there, but the rest is blurry and obscured. We will have to actually “get out and walk through it” in order to see the year more clearly.

Dense fog in my neighborhood.

I’ve been searching the scripture and reading applications from pastors I admire to find the courage and the encouragement I need to start walking through 2017 with a light, expectant, joyful heart. I especially found Rick Warren’s 3 suggestions helpful. He said:

Set goals based on God’s direction. Jeremiah 29:11 and 13 — “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. . . . You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

2. Live one day at a time. Matthew 6:34 — “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has

enough trouble of its own.” And Isaiah 26:3 –“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

3. Don’t procrastinate. Proverbs 27:1 — “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” I think that also strongly suggests that if God puts someone on your heart to spend time with or to do an act of kindness for, then do it. Strive to live without regrets.

In addition to Warren’s thoughts, I’m claiming other verses, as well:

Deuteronomy 31:6 — “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Psalm 55:22 — Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.“

HAPPY 2017 EVERYONE! Ready or not, here it comes!

P.S. And, oh yes, my book finally got published in 2016. I hope you’ll order it in print or on Kindle soon through Amazon. “Telling It On the Mountain: 52 Days in the Life of an Improbable Missionary.”

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