Good, Good and More Good...Baptism, Town Tour Conclusion and 4th of July

Hey y'all!! Hope everyone had a fantastic 4th of July weekend!! I have a few orders of business to take care of... so I will wrap it all up in one blog post. ;)

First and foremost.... I got baptized!!! :)
I'm not exactly a new believer... I accepted Christ exactly 20 years ago. And, in fact, I was baptized when I was 5 years old. Even though I knew who Jesus was at 5 years old and I certainly had no opposition to Him... I hadn't prayed the "sinner's prayer" and I really had no idea why I was being sprinkled with water at the front of the church. However, I had always figured that baptism "counted" after I did accept Christ. In fact, I was was under the impression that baptism was more or less "optional"... perhaps just an outward expression of the work that had already been done inside...



Consider these scriptures:

John 3:1-5 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

Matthew 3:13-16

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

Mark 16:15-16 And he said unto them, Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved, and he that disbelieves shall be condemned.

Romans 6:3-5

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.

Acts 22:16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.

I came across a website called bebaptized.org which gave scriptural references and commentary on baptisms as preached in the Bible. I noticed a point that was given on this site:

Mark 16:15-16

And he said unto them, Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

He that believes and is baptized shall be saved, and he that does not believe shall be condemned.

Notice Jesus said, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved.”

Notice also what Jesus did NOT say. He did NOT say, “He that believes and is saved shall be baptized.”

YIKES! WOW! I had it all backwards...maybe this baptism thing shouldn't be taken so lightly! Yes, I was baptized as a child. No, I didn't know what it meant at the time. Since then, I had accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior... Of course I believe the Bible is the spoken word of God. And if Jesus is saying to get baptized... then by golly, I'm getting baptized! :) And perhaps I should have been baptized as soon as I accepted Christ into my life... but that is all hindsight. I might be a little late... but now, as an adult, I decided better late than never to obey Jesus... so off to church I went!

Jon was in the same position I was in... both of us being baptized as children... both of us have been long-term believers. So we decided to get baptized together. Literally. We both were baptized at the same time... almost simultaneously. Except we didn't get a 1...2...3... go. ;) I had to pause to plug my nose haha... and then when I came up Jon dunked again because he didn't fully submerge under water the first time. OK, so we are less than perfect and a little inexperienced in the baptism department. But our hearts were in the right place and that was all that mattered. It was such an amazing day... to confirm our faith in Christ as individuals... but also symbolically together to confirm our desire to honor and glorify God collectively through our marriage.

I couldn't believe I forgot my camera... so I didn't even have someone take a picture. :( I did, however, take a picture with my camera phone in the car when we were done... that is all I have.

All sopping wet... but happy. AND BAPTIZED! :)


That was Thursday. Friday we went to a friends house to celebrate his Birthday... which was a good time and, of course, I forgot my camera (AGAIN!). So you will just have to take my word for it... it was a good time. ;)

The 4th of July was pretty low-key for us. We had a lazy day... just relaxed around the house. By golly, I was going to have a hot dog at some point during the day! It is the American thing to do on the 4th of July. haha As we were heading out to the Independence Day festivities on base... we decided we were starving and would pick something up quick on the way. Which meant drive thru. Which meant no hot dog. :( We had the next best thing: Taco Bell. haha I don't know about you, but being raised in Southern California... that is as American as you can get Mexican food. ;)

Picture taken partly out of disgust and horror that we were eating Taco Bell on America's birthday... and partly out of giddiness that Jon actually agreed on Taco Bell! haha

Jon regretting his decision to come to Taco Bell. Me...taking his picture out of joy that another car pulled up behind us and he couldn't act out on his regret and back up. haha

And while the camera was snapping away, I coerced him into giving me a fake smile to document our unconventional (Euphemism translation for boring) 4th of July. ha!

We headed onto base where all of the festivities were taking place... pretty much a band and people. Come on! I didn't move to Texas for this! Where is the country fun?? Why don't we have a pie eating contest! A watermelon eating contest! A hot dog eating contest! (Can you tell that I am starving as I write this... it is taking every bit of will power in my being not to get up and get a brownie in the kitchen. It is calling my name. I am getting weak... be right back.)
I am back. What was I saying again? Oh, yes! My disappointment in the 4th of July festivities... I mean, I was expecting a 3-legged race... potato sack races... running through prairie grass with sparklers, praying nothing catches on fire. (Can you tell my thoughts are now on how I am going to work off every last delicious calorie of that fudge brownie that I just consumed like a rabid animal?) No buntings, or cute decorations (Although they did have flags lining all of the roads on base... which I was pleased as punch to see.) Alas, there WERE fireworks. Which, against the better judgment of the pyro-techies (who set up their firework display in the driest, most overgrown field of prairie grass that I have ever seen) still took place, despite the 30 mph winds that were gusting. I was certain disaster was about to unfold before my very eyes. (Which angrily posed a question in my mind: Why does Disneyland cancel their firework performance if there is even a threat of a gentle breeze or any movement of air at all!? Which just so happens to be every time I decide to go! I'm certainly going to get to the bottom of this...) After 20 minutes of a perfectly UN-synchronized Neil Diamond song that scratched and crackled, and briefly paused ever 15 seconds or so, like it was pirated off of some bootleg website (Arrrr!)... the show concluded. Without incident. Without excitement. Without leaving me any delicious details to unfold via blog. I apologize; I have nothing more to give you for the 4th. Except this display of firework extravaganza!!!

OOOOOOoooooo.....

Aaaaahhhhhh....

And probably identical what you watched on your 4th. ;)

So, in conclusion... our fireworks display was a success in every term of the word. Successfully was as expected. Successfully did not catch anything on fire. Successfully did not injure any pyro-techies in the firework field. Successfully scared the living daylights out of every dog in a 10 mile vicinity.

PS. Happy 4th of July!

Now, while on topic of the 4th of July... leads me to the Great American Town Tour Party!

What a success!! Thank you to all of the participants and looky-loos! Didn't we have such a fun blogland vacation?? Lets see... where did we go??

Well, we started in my town...and continued all around the country!

Cattle Ranch and Jets in Kingsville, TX
Beautiful Shopping and Dining Merced, CA
A Perfect Small Town in NC
A Grand Home Tour in GA
Heaven on Earth in Georgetown, TX
Quaint, Historical and Certainly Scenic in Covington, GA
A Piece of American History in Enid, OK
Small Town Living (including Alligators and windmills) in Spearman, TX
Breath-taking Victorian Homes in Romeo, MI
Charming Houses and boats on the bay in Keyport, NJ
All-American Town in Matthews, NC
Perfect Mix of Town and Country in Menifee/Temecula, CA
Small town with Big Character in Blytheville, AR
A Growing Town with a Little Bit of Everything in Menifee, CA
Southern Charm in Woodstock, GA
The Hidden Gem of America (haha, also my Hometown) in Lake Elsinore, CA
Beachy Fun in Oceanside, CA
Small Town Southern Gem in Helena, AL
A Slice Paradise in Naples, FL
Texas Size Character in Denison, TX
Historical Old Town Charm in Berea, OH

Again, THANK YOU to all of the participants... such a fun way to celebrate America's Birthday. If you missed any of the tours... just click on the links above!! :)

Next order of business.... I won 2nd place in Summer's Cakes Bake-off Contest!!

Woohoo!!! For these guys:

Mama owl and her owlettes! haha!
Sorry, I'm just so excited.. I never win anything. ;)

Lets see... what else can I show you to make this the never ending post? haha
Oh? What is that you say? You want to see Dolly basking in all of her glory out in the sun?
Righty-oh! Your wish is my command!

With that feast of dog gorgeousness, I will depart. I bid you adieu.

Happy Monday y'all!

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The Great American Town Tour!!!

Welcome to
The Great American Town Tour!!

Welcome to my slice of America...
Kingsville, Texas!

"A Living Legend"

All of my pictures are "clickable" to be enlarged. I took a million and a half pictures and figured the best way to organize each "area or theme" of Kingsville would be mosaics collages. ;)
Hope y'all don't mind. :)

Kingsville, Texas is located South of Corpus Christi, with a population of 25,575.

The town is just 13.9 square miles, founded in 1904 and named after Richard King-the owner of King Ranch. In case you are unfamiliar, King Ranch is still the largest ranch in the United States. You may have heard of the King Ranch Saddle Shop Catalog or have seen the "King Ranch" Edition on Ford Trucks. This ranch boasts of over 825,000 acres (think 85% as large as Rhode Island) and at one point was the largest ranch in the world with 1.2 million acres. The story of how this ranch came to be is absolutely fascinating and can be found here. It involves a young mistreated indentured boy from New York City in the 1800s... escaping as a stow away on a steam ship and heading to the South. He eventually owned his own Steam boat line... and I'll let you read the rest to discover his journey into the ranching business. I won't spoil it for you. ;)



The King Ranch is still owned and operated by the same family line today! Everything in Kingsville is associated, dedicated or named after the King Ranch. It is the blood of our town.

Here are the gates that lead into the ranch. It is like the gates going into the great Oz. haha

King Ranch has it's own world famous breed of Cattle: Santa Gertrudis Cattle. Naturally, the headquarters are here in Kingsville. Here are some pictures of cattle on the King Ranch.

Now if you haven't seen or ever heard of the King Ranch Saddle Shop... you are missing out. I used to receive the catalog when I lived in California. I had never even heard of the King Ranch and I certainly didn't know how I was even receiving their catalog. I'm sure I saw it somewhere and signed up for something to receive it. Anyway, every time it arrived in the mail... I was like a kid in a candy store. I would mentally circle the items I just HAD to have (if I won the lotto, of course. haha... it's not a cheap catalog)... Seriously, do yourself a favor and check out their stuff online. It might not be your style... but one has to appreciate the craftsmanship of everything they make, especially the furniture. Hubby and I have already decided that if we ever win the lotto... we will be building a log cabin lodge in the mountains of Wyoming and filling the house with King Ranch furniture. ;)

The outside of the shop:

And the inside:

Everywhere you look... there is some serious eye candy...purses, furniture, home decor, boots, jewelry... you name it, they have it.
There are taxidermy animals all over... including a big ol' longhorn. I just HAD to get a picture of their tablescape... haha. Am I the only one or do you have such a great appreciation for tablescapes after seeing all of the great ideas on Susan's Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday??

The King Ranch Saddle Shop is in our "historic downtown" area. The building itself was built in 1904 and is considered a historic building.

There are some other cute little shops in the downtown area... a few antique and craft stores, a soda fountain shop, gift shops and a tea room... to name a few.

Another thing that puts Kingsville on the map... we are home to Texas A&M University, Kingsville. Go Javelinas! I had never even heard of a Javelina before my move to Kingsville. Evidently they are a hog/pig type creature. Hubby saw a whole wild herd of them crossing the road while driving home from work one day. ;)

Texas A&M, Kingsville offers the very first program ever to get a Masters Degree in Cowboy. haha... Ok it is a Master's Degree inRanch Management... but I would rather it be called Cowboy. THAT would certainly be a well earned education! I don't know about you, but I have some major respect for ranchers, farmers and anyone else that works the earth and tames wild animals. What a manly profession. ;)

Now that I have brought you ALL THE WAY to Kingsville... I better find something for you to do... here are your (very limited) options:

We could go to the Dick Kleberg Park...

It is a very large park... lots of shade trees and picnic benches that run along a creek. Very pretty. It also has some stables... festively painted red, white and blue!

After the park... we could go hit the links...and play a round of golf. Or go check out the old railroad depot and museum... or perhaps have a spot of tea at the Cherry Tree Tea Room.

This tea room is actually one of my favorite eateries in Kingsville. Everything is homemade... and let me tell you, they have the best potato chowder soup and homemade bread! And desserts!! What an array of homemade desserts they have to choose from!

Or... we could go to my favorite... SONIC. Who doesn't love happy hour??

Whataburger or Big House Burgers are also good choices. ;)

We could go through the DRIVE THRU donut shop aka my dream come true. I had never seen such a thing growing up in California!! A Palace of Donuts?? My kind of place.

Tell me that Squirrel doesn't look like it is holding a gun. Seriously, am I losing my mind? Don't give me a Rorschach Ink Blot test... I will come up with some wild interpretations. haha The Wheely Clean is a automated Car Wash. Who comes up with these names? ha! The Sirloin Stockade is always a running joke between hubby and me. If we are ever needing to celebrate... the Sirloin Stockade is always a viable option. (We have never actually been... we are saving it for a very special occasion.ha!) Gotta love the ginormous cow.

And, when all else fails, we will head to Wally World... the center of our thriving town. ;)

Doesn't that SO look like a typical Walmart moment? A shopping cart just haphazardly hanging out in the middle of the parking lot aisle... no cart attendant to be found for hours... no baskets inside the store to use either. ;)

What is that, you say? You would like to see our town's water towers? Well ok! Who am I to deprive you of these beauties?

Brahmas tower at the high school... Javelinas tower at the college...Navy tower on base... and the living legend tower in the middle of town.

Our pretty Courthouse.

Want to see a little piece of odd?

Check out this "Flea Market"... very colorful... filled with "things" inside... problem is... I've never, ever seen anyone go into or come out of this place. I drive by every now and then to work up the courage to go check it out... but then the ginormous metal eagle heads out front scare me off and I leave. It kills me to know there are treasures to be found in there... one day I will work up the courage to get to the bottom of this place. ;) Now tell me that those eagle heads don't look like Sam the Muppet?

Seriously! Don't they?? And that is more than fine by me!

More Kingsville fun...

A caboose parked in the middle of no where off the highway...
A reminder of where Dr. Pepper comes from... just in case any out-of-state visitors needed a reminder. ;) I'm a Dr. Pepper fanatic... and, yes, I've even been to the birthplace in Waco...seen the Museum and all. Next on the list... Dublin! Have to visit the factory! ha!
And, of course, it isn't Texas if you don't have at least one barn painted with the Texas flag in your town. ;)

Now that we've gone through town... let me show you my favorite part of Kingsville! The beautiful South Texas countryside!! (Yes, I CAN say that with a straight face! I found VERY pretty landscapes on my expedition to get town tour photos.)

Scenic Kingsville:

COWS!

Walking single file to the watering hole!

This little guy got out. Apparently he thought the grass was greener on the other side of the fence. I apologize. ;)

CORN!!

The corn is growing and it is BEAUTIFUL!! Such pretty colors everywhere!

There are no shortage of birds here. It is one of the bird watching capitals in the entire universe. Don't believe me? Why don't you Bird the Bend and find out for yourself? haha... LOVE these ridiculous names for everything out here!

A pretty country road. These are EVERYWHERE out here.

And a cute little creek.

I think this is where the country kids go swimming... at least that is what all the movies about country folk that live by creeks would have me believe. ;)

Clouds!!

I love these big ol' puffy white clouds!! They are here almost every single day. I mean, we had cumulus clouds in California, don't get me wrong, but never this puffy, this white or this low!! They are my favorite and what I think of when I hear "Texas Sky".

BUT!!! Lets get to the REAL reason that we are in Kingsville!!

We are stationed here while hubby finishes the rest of his training. This is what he flies...

Some shots around base:

The tower where they "request fly-bys"...right after they get finished playing a shirtless game of volleyball. haha Again, I apologize.

The track that I am training for my half marathon on... and the pool!

The Number One Reason Why I Love Kingsville:

The People.

Yes, everyone is friendly. But more than that, they welcome and support the military here... even with their loud jets. This gracious attitude is a HUGE change for a girl that was raised in Southern California. I can recall hearing complaints time and time again from people wanting Miramar to be closed because of jet noise. Seriously, you buy a house at the end of an airport runway and then complain about noise? Here's your sign. How about a little support for the people who keep you safe? Thank you Kingsville for your support and kindness.

However, the most memorable experience that I will always take with me... is our church... Bay Area Fellowship.



I have found it rather difficult to find a church that feels like "home" in the past. Upon moving to Texas...I was excited to find a good ol' fashioned, little white church to attend. The kind any good Southerner attends. I wanted to find a small church with a family-feel; something simple. However, God had different plans. ;) He lead us to THE BIGGEST church that I've ever been to... both square footage-wise and congregation-wise. On our first visit... we were a little skeptical... it seemed like a "production"...contemporary music played by an incredible band with the best singers I've ever heard sing for a church. Coordinated lights to the music... big screens... tv cameras...in a ginormous auditorium. The pastor delivered a fantastic "relevant" message. It was the complete opposite of where I thought I belonged, setting-wise. And on our first visit, with these doubts... the pastor explained that there are places like Vegas that have all of the production in the world... the best talent, the best of everything... but delivers no message (or worse, a sinful message). We (as Christians) have been given the greatest message in all time, in all of humanity, but often times, don't honor it with any production or talent at all. My outlook has completely changed. It is so awesome to see people with unconventional "church" talents (such as media and production) being allowed to worship and glorify God through the gifts that God has given them. Having gone to this church for almost a year now... I have never seen anything so exciting as the work that God is doing through this church. It is life changing and amazing. And I will be sad when we have to leave Kingsville because of it... but feel very fortunate that I will always be able to watch the sermons online. If you are "in between" churches or haven't found a good "fit" yet...I invite you to watch some of Pastor Bil's messages. They are certainly food for the soul! And don't forget to check out the band either... they are awesome! ;)

I took this picture right outside of church... as the sun was setting. The sky was just a breathtaking backdrop to the cross.


I will leave you with some Texas Sunset shots... taken here in Kingsville. :)

Thank you for letting me share "my slice of America" with you... I can't wait to see your slice!

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