North Carolina Experience

One thing I must say is that I love mountains, all things old, and cool weather. North Carolina was full of all the above. The people were so friendly I couldn't  help but smile at their kindness and feel all warm inside. We flew into Charlotte, NC and drove to Asheville  which was a super cute artsy town with the prettiest historic looking buildings such as the one below.

Although this building was abandoned and a bit beat up, there was an essence of beauty that called forth.

Even their McDonald's was pretty!! We did not stop to eat here since we have several of these in south Florida. We were curious as to the one's we haven't tried such as Hardee's and Sonic :D

Now the whole point of this trip wasn't about fast food and cute towns but more of a growing experience. We stayed at the Cove in Asheville, North Carolina. Which is Billy Grahams Training Center.

This place is absolutely gorgeous!Surrounded by mountains and gorgeous trails, beautiful buildings filled with history but most of all,  I was surrounded with the most joyful people I have ever met in my life. There were so many people who were completely joyful in serving others with kindness and compassionate love that I couldn't help but be moved and inside have an increasing desire to be like that.
As I walked through the halls of Billy Grahams history I was moved by the love that family had for people and what a legacy that family has left behind that so many people around the world have acknowledged that there is a difference in that man, from presidents to queens and ministers all over the world. Truly God had a special plan for this family, but most importantly, I believe it was their obedience to God.
While walking through the library there were pictures and quotes showing how many people the gospel  had reached out to. Reading several quotes especially on Ruth Graham made me start to think.
I believe there is a yearning in every girl to be beautiful, which is completely fine, but then there is an extreme where you begin to lose who you are because you are so focused on fixing the outside. From diets, to clothes, to hairstyles. Please don't get me wrong, all of these in and of themselves are great, but where is the heart behind all this? Do you find yourselves crying in front of a mirror because you don't feel you're good enough? skinny enough? pretty enough? comparing and finding so many others to be better than you? I know this has been my struggle that I don't see what I really look like anymore and along the way in searching for beauty, a part of me inside has faded behind the scenes.
This weekend I found beauty. No, not the girls in the magazines we constantly compare ourselves too. Not some flashy girl leaving nothing to the imagination. I found true beauty and I wanted to share it with you all. Perhaps, maybe, you'll find it too.

The woman who showed me what it means to be truly beautiful?

Ruth Graham.

There are not enough words I can say to describe this woman other than I pray that someday I can have that same heart and passion after God's own heart and His hurting people. And that at the end of my days my husband can say the same thing about me that Billy Graham spoke of his wife Ruth.

How many men say that about their wives now? Usually at an old age you only hear bitter comments.I don't want to be one of those women who make their husbands lives harder, but rather be a place of refuge. This can only be done with Christ's strengthening.

Ruth has a beauty that isn't just merely an outward presence but a beauty you feel at the core of your heart.

Her husband had to travel often so she left this adorable silly picture in his luggage one day and he carried it everywhere :D It was one of his favorites.

I believe it was God's love shining through them that attracted them to so many people such as Muhammed Ali.

What an example of great love for this day and age.

There is a beauty that radiates through her that is not found in magazines or television, no makeup can portray it. This is the beauty I seek after, the beauty of a love for God and His people. An obedient heart, who impacts anyone in contact.

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."

Proverbs 31:30

If you want to know more about them go here:

http://www.billygraham.org/RBG_biography.asp