Top 10 List: Things We Miss About Texas

 
     We left Texas last month and have already realized that we are missing some things about the Lone Star State! So this is what Becky and I came up with for our top 10 list of things that we miss (or know that we will miss soon) about Texas. Enjoy!

10. Texas Ranger Fans

     While traveling outside of Texas, we've realized that Globe Life Park is a great and clean stadium to watch a ballgame. However, there are almost ZERO Texas Ranger fans outside of North Texas. Don't get me wrong Texas Ranger fans are loyal and have a strong following in the DFW metroplex, but that's about it. My dad has being trying to get me to be a Yankees fan for quite some time now. I guess he's going to get his wish.

9. Winter Weather

     We lived in Texas for over 7 years and got to play in the snow... maybe 5 times. It was great. We made snow angels, had snowball fights, stayed indoors for the night and by morning...it was gone. All gone. After seeing pictures of the historic blizzard in NYC this winter, I'm pretty sure we're going to miss the extremely short winter seasons of Texas.

8. Texas Ego/State Pride

     Texans love Texas. Texans love to talk about Texas. That wasn't the case growing up in Oklahoma. Nearly everyone back in high school had plans of leaving Oklahoma when they graduated, and many of us did. But all the young people from Texas I've talked to say they'd all like to live in the Lone Star state when they grow up. Most of them had never left Texas, and never cared too much about leaving. It has been refreshing to be around people who actually like where they live. And...they also love to tell people that they'll secede from the United States again if they need to.

7. Tex-Mex

     It's everywhere. Some good. Some not. Either way, when you have a hankering for some fajitas you can find them close by.

6. Dallas Love Field

     Some of the cheapest flights to nearly anywhere in the U.S. come out of Dallas Love Field. We flew from Dallas (DAL) to New York City (LGA) back in February for $41 a piece. Round trip for the 2 of us was $178 after taxes and fees. Southwest Airlines has always been reliable and on time when we've travelled with them. If we have a choice we fly Southwest and and we fly through Dallas Love Field.

5. Jerry Jones' Annual Prediction

     "This year is the year we make it back to the big game." It comes every preseason. You expect it now. The local news eats it up and so do I. Even if everyone on the team is injured, coaches just got fired, and you know that there's no way a sane man can say it with a straight face...he'll say it anyway. "This is a championship team." He and the Dallas Cowboy's are the train-wreck that I'll miss every fall.

4. HEB Grocery Store

     Pretty sure this was one of Maria's first words...."HEB store!" Low prices. Friendly employees. Largest selections. More than one checkout lane is open. Usually 20 cashiers are working on the weekends.  And really, where in New York City can you find a grocery store that covers almost 3 acres? And to put the icing on the cake, Texas doesn't charge sales tax on groceries. I know about 30 other states do this also, but it was a pleasant surprise the first time we went to a grocery store in Texas.

3. David Finfrock

     When you've been a DFW meteorologist for 40+ years you have seen it all.  Finfrock doesn't get rattled. Finfrock is not afraid. When storms race in he's got you covered. He's not one of the those weather guys who try to scare you, roll their sleeves up, and have veins popping out of their head because they think high winds might possibly be hitting a wheat field or a cow pasture. Finfrock will give it to you straight. Finfrock has the steady hand.

2. Babe's Chicken

     I loved you from the first bite. There's a handful of locations in Texas now, but my favorite is the one in Burleson. From the poorly lit atmosphere, it immediately draws you in and says eat as much as you want because no one can really see you. Becky and I go back and forth on what is better, chicken tenders or the smoked chicken. Honestly, it's all good. Especially the unlimited sides that you share with the rest of your dinner party. And those biscuits...I nearly stayed in Texas for those biscuits.

1. Bethesda Baptist Church

     On a more serious note, the folks at Bethesda are the number 1 thing that we miss about Texas. Bethesda has been our church family for over 7 years. It has been the only church family my little girl has ever known. The hardest part of this transition these last few weeks has been that Maria is beginning to realize that we are not going back "home" to our house and we are not going back to "her church" this Sunday. After speaking to a number of other churches and pastors this past month, I have never missed Bethesda as much as I do now. The members treated us with love and respect from day one. They gave me a chance to try new things. They loved our family. They cared and, literally, helped raise our child. They offered help before we could ask. They checked up on us. They would give gifts; leave thank you notes. They were willing to follow my lead, even when I decided we should drive 14 hours to a different summer camp one year because well "maybe this might be something we should try". The youth volunteers and choir members were all too kind about...everything. I mean I was having fun and I hope they were too. They were too generous, especially during our dessert auctions. I mean who pays $250+ for a cake that a kid made? Well, it's the same people who would hand me random checks for hundreds of dollars to make sure kids go to camp to learn about Jesus. It's the same people who would ask for the names of the lost students that were visiting our church so they could pray for them and their families. It's the same people who celebrated the most when those kids would give their lives to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
     I am learning that not all churches are the same. I am learning that not all churches would let one of their staff members go and minister to a different part of the world and continue to support them for years to come. I am learning that it is not common for every church to put their money where their mouth is when they say "We believe in your calling and we want to support it." I'm excited that our new relationship is evolving into something that can touch other parts of the globe.  I am learning that God has been teaching and preparing us for something great. I am learning that Pastor Craig Vire may be one of the most well-rounded and respectable pastors that I'll ever get to meet, not to mention work under. We are grateful that Bethesda is our sending church. We are honored to be Bethesda's missionaries to New York City. Out of all the great things about Texas, we truly miss seeing our Bethesda family every week.


Hey, hey, hey! Here are some honorable mentions that didn't quite make the list:

- Big Tex/Texas State Fair
- Blue Bell Ice Cream
- Texas Fireworks/Bottle Rockets
- Dublin Dr. Pepper
- Tony Romo
- Sweet Iced Tea at any restaurant
- No state income tax
- Texas-shaped waffles (I mean have you ever seen a waffle in the shape of Idaho? Yeah, I didn't think so.)