Scribe's Landing . . . Writing To Encourage

The rolling hills of the Ozark Mountains greeted us as we pulled into Branson, MO for a week of relaxation, sight-seeing, and also, an opportunity to celebrate our 1st wedding anniversary. Our adventure was jump started by comedian Yakov Smirnoff, a Russian-born entertainer well renowned for his various Hollywood roles and sense of humor, but also, for his artwork. A mural was painted by Yakov and served as a personal tribute to the New York Trade Center's victims on the one-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. Not only did Smirnoff arrouse much laughter, but his passion for American values, freedom and family, was a reminder that we, as American's, are privileged to live in a country that strives to protect the freedom many individuals, elsewhere in the world, are not at liberty to enjoy.

Next, it was off to Shepherd of the Hills. What is more romantic than an outdoor evening show and a classic love story? For the hopeless romantic in me, I can't think of anything I would enjoy much more. The play showcased not only the difficulty of pioneering life, but also, the beauty of love triumphing over evil. I personally loved the idea of sitting outside to watch the story unfold, live. As day faded into night, you could hear the hum of crickets and feel the air growing cooler as an approaching storm rolled into the area.

Granted, we chose a weekend in which the average 6,000 visitors on a typical weekend reached 60,000, thanks to a car show we had been unaware of. Not only did the car show shut down many of the activities normally open to public at Shepherd of the Hills, but it took 2 hours to travel 3 miles back to our hotel afterwards! Although the play was wonderful, Branson traffic was less than inviting.

We managed to do a little sight-seeing at Shepherd of the Hills. Strolling through the park, we encountered a few miniature horses, an unsocial donkey, an old cabin and a crooked rocking chair. We sat on benches and talked, visited an old silversmith, and whittled our own time away in an old-fashioned
candle shop, in a slow-paced, back of the woods kind of way.


On the evening of our 1st anniversary,
Michael and I took a 2 hour cruise aboard the Branson Bell, an old-fashioned paddle-wheel showboat that sails about Table Rock Lake. The event provided a 3-course meal, time to stroll upon the ship's decks as we sailed around the lake, as well as an hour of entertainment of music, acrobatics, singing, dancing and a comedian that believe it or not, managed to fit his entire body into a human-sized balloon. It was odd, a bit out-there, but hilarious.

Our little cruise was the perfect end to a wonderful vacation, and a perfect way to celebrate the day we were married. Much of our time was spent reminiscing and recounting all that had happened that day. Time can go by so fast. Really, it hardly seems as though a year has come and gone already, but it has. We ended our day sharing with each other our highlights from the year, as well as did a little dreaming for the future, and setting short term goals for areas we would like to see ourselves grow together as a couple.
It's my hope and prayer that next year, as we celebrate our second anniversary together, we will have grown closer to each other , as well as God, who brought us together and has allowed for us to see a side of Him in a new light, through the eyes of marriage.