It’s a place that I love and hold dearly in my heart. A place that helped shape me in more ways than I count. It’s not magical and it’s not glamorous, but it reminds me of things that matter. Beautiful creation, the quietness of nature, the slowness of a city that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and relationships that last. I lived there for only 3 years but so much of my heart is there so naturally, when I fell in love and got married, it was important to me that my husband see it and have some frame of reference for my life in that season.
We had tried to make it happen a long time ago but each time, it never seemed to quite come together. So, several months ago we put it on the calendar and said we are making it happen! It was the beginning of fall so the leaves were not in full color but just beginning to change. The air was crisp, the roads winding and life was just slower. All things that I miss about live in the Ozarks. We visited people who I love, breathed in the quietness, explored places I had always loved to explore and toured Kanakuk Kamps, the place that had taken me there in the first place. Branson, MO and the Ozarks are places that are a kind of home to me and taking my husband there was so very special. I turned to him and said, ‘I feel like now you really know me.’
It was a sweet weekend and a very important introduction.
So, in the name of fall colors, Ozark hills and important introductions,
I Say, Take Me Back!
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One thing I love about the Ozarks is the beautiful scenery…something Dallas is greatly lacking. So, I really wanted to show Jimmy one of my favorite spots to hike, Whitaker Point or better known as HawksBill Crag. The weather was perfect and the view stunning.
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Seeing Kanakuk, the place I love so dearly! This dock is where I would come to spend time with the Lord. So many prayers and promises took place in this very spot.
Oh the days that I spent in this little office. So many wonderful memories!
Found my name on the wall…
In the girls church, one of my favorite spots in kamp.
Oh, how I love this photo. An important introduction.
Got to show him the house I lived in while I was there which was so very special. The people I shared it with made it one of my favorite places in all the world. They have since moved on to new adventures but being here reminded me of days that I will cherish forever.
Found this quote on their chalkboard and thought it was so fitting. My season in the Ozarks was such a wonderful one and each time I come back, I am tempted to want to linger in the past. I am thankful, though, that the real treasure is to hold on to the greatest things.