wildflowers and chapel hands

As the Spring rains subside, all kinds of wildflowers begin to blossom.
The sweet unmistakeable smell of the purple verbena wafts across the hillsides.



... and the chapel work move along... the keyhole entries look like the shape of praying hands, and if you are over 5 ft tall, you must bow to enter.
The old red oaks who possessed this place long before we did, echo the shape of the entries... beautiful!
The dainty flowers of summer dance across the hillsides in waves of color beginning with the blues, moving to the yellows and purples, and then the raucous cocophany of all the colors finalizing the show.
Isn't it neat how the hands of the artist are seen quite clearly in the his creation? These will be the bowls that will carry the light for the chapel. Hobbe you are absolutely visionary! I thank God for your gifts!

Butterflies/Redbuds Springtime

If you climb to the highest point, you will see the cross that Jason Shea. on his back ,carried up the deer trail the first night we were ever officially "owners" of this piece of property. It was the night before Easter morning '94! As I recall, there were several others who went, but the main weight fell to the shoulders of one young man. Hummmm I believe that event was a blessing over this place and our time on it! From the cottages, you can walk to this HIGH PLACE. What a view you have! I highly recommend the hike!

As the spring progresses, the antlers grow from "buds" into the beginnings of the large racks our beautiful bucks sport into the Fall.
The GateWay if filled on this stormy late Spring afternoon!
God's palette is spectacular in His array of golden sunsets here in the Valley.
not to mention what He does with the winged creatures and the blossoms too!
The redbuds set the hillsides ablaze before they move on to the rich green of summer.
You can sit for a whole day and not get bored. Bring a good book, sunscreen, and an open heart.
Bees and butterflies love the Springs here in Texas. You can hear the trees as well as see them right now!
Our friend, Billy Allbright, is one of our artists who's work is here at the GateWay.
You can see the beginnings of our xeric gardens which, by summer will be oh so beautiful!

Rainbows in Springtime

Spring at the GateWay means there will be RAIN!!! yeah! I remember a word given a year or more ago, some of you will too... Rain, or Reign?... YES! good memory!

And Rain in the Valley and on the hillsides means we get to see the most amazing rainbows!
Rainbows mean that God does what He says He will. ALWAYS! His promises are sure!
Then comes the GREEN!!! my color! I'm thinking God likes it too, look how much He used it!
As you look through the Spring Greens of the newly sprouting red oaks, what do you see? well, not just the deer feeders that we still keep filling to draw our friends close, you see it, IT'S the PINK... not just any pink, It is the pink of the TEXAS RED BUD! glorious!

Water, Prayer Chapel, Fossil Hunters Springtime07

Spring of '07 the water department began bringing pipe to lay the lines up the hills to give us more pressure and relieve us from hauling water to our own tanks. YEAH, can't wait!

The prayer chapel which was begun during the winter months is at this point by Spring '07. It is truly a gift, and the artisans who are constructing it have the blueprints in their heads. AMAZING craftsmen!
Each stone in the building is gathered by hand off the surrounding land, and then polished on the inside and left rough to the outside. HOURS of precision work by hands trained through generations of masonary and rock workers.
Spring also brings our traditional (several years now!!) fossil hunters from the local public and private schools.
The children find the fossils and then replace them for the next hunters. There is real conservation and preserving the land teaching going on with these kids and their teachers.
A lunch break at the picnic tables of the cottages is a nice respite on a warm Spring day in the hills of our little countryside home. Until next year precious ones. Thanks for being such good stewards of the land!

Winter Wonderland at the GateWay

Winter at the cottages can be just the thing for world weary folks. The evidence is in the pictures. These are the one bedroom Winter of 2007. Gorgeous huh? The fireplace going, hot cocoa and a good book. hummm Sounds like a good place to be to me! Spectacularly peaceful!

We make sure there is a biodegradable ice melter so that you can maneuver the stairway, and we have plenty of coffee/tea and cocoa for the quiet times of watching the world go by.
If you want to venture out, you will see a wonderland just outside the door. BUT, in Winter, be sure you bring hiking boots, gloves and warm clothes. (check the forecast... it is Texas, and you may find 80 degrees in January, or the ice storm just as easily. THAT's one of the many reasons we love TEXAS.... unpredictable and fun!
We keep the feeders full so that you always have our four legged friends drop by for a bite to eat and a treat for your eyes. Deer season keeps them a little more timid, but after January, they come back full force, even in the daylight hours.
The Bible says if we cease to praise HIM, that even the rocks will cry out... I'm thinking these crystal limbs seem to be reaching Heavenward... I love it! Nature knows, and we feel so blessed to see things like this so often.

master bedroom in the 2 bdrm cottage

red room in the 2 bedroom
kitchen area
bedroom of the 1 bedroom
sitting area of the 1 bedroom

Lions, Plowed fields, and monarchs Fall 2006

He is a LION in celebration and Jennifer knew exactly what the Lord was saying as she painted the prophetic image in the huge metal "canvas" of our entrance barn!

The Lion walks with authority through the ripe wheat fields as the Olive Trees blossom amidst an oncoming storm...do you feel the "word"?
That same early Fall Cody and Darrell plow the fields of our new North Pasture, there are intentions beyond our thoughts in that acquisition. AS so much of what happens in this physical world shows us shadows, there is a greater reality to any shadow. May we have ears to hear and eyes to see! This picture is 2 tractors in tandem
This is one tractor, Fall of '06 and new seed coming!
The last week in September of 2006 the monarchs made their yearly migration through our valley with their nightly roosts burgeoning our trees by the tanks and in our yard. An amazing yearly sight for us here in this area of Texas! Our Lord does not inhabit temples made by any human hands! Thank You Father, for Your incredible gift of sight.

Beginning the cottages in Spring 06

It was clear in the beginning of 2006 that this was the spot for the cottages! And the name GateWay GetaWay was the choice (thanks Ellena) as you can see the gateways in the distance as a thunderstorm rolls into the valley.

As the buildings went up, we placed specific scripture into the walls and foundations. We prayed "PEACE" over the locations, and blessings over all who walked into the area.
Jennifer painted the metal "barn" to the South of the entrance from our road. It was clearly God's gift through her eyes and hands into these places God has given us. The "storm" in the mural is a replica of the thunderheads here as they gather to bring RAIN (reign).
In the Fall of 2006, the 1 bedroom is dressed for the holidays as the hills are clothed in their Fall attire as well. What a lovely first holiday season for us and our guests!
The two bedroom sits at the foot of the first hills. We chose colors that blend into the area so that even the animals wouldn't think we were invading, only joining them in the places they loved first.

check back soon

I will be posting testimonials and pictures from the cottages very soon. Do check back. Blessings and peace to all of you who keep up with us. May the Lord watch between you and me while we are apart (and while we are together.)