Marriage Monday

 "For Christ's love compels us..." [2 Cor. 5:14] The Greek word Paul used is synechei, which carries the sense of God's love wrapping around you but then squeezing you in a way that pushes you out - like squeezing a tube of toothpaste. God's love surrounding you pushes you to become all you were made to be. ~Joel Malm, "Connecting the Dots"

The above quote may seem strange for a "Marriage Monday" post, but more and more, I'm convinced that marriage is a huge part of God's love that pushes us to become all we "were made to be". The unexpected things that pop up, the different personalities trying to work together, those things are the circumstances God uses to squeeze and push us to be more like Him.

Our "day 4" of 40 dates found us attempting to learn a little bit of history, but the Potts Inn museum we had hoped to enjoy was closed (despite the posted hours saying they were open!). 

We walked around and read the signs surrounding this beautiful old tavern on the Butterfield Overland Mail and stagecoach route. I hadn't realized this route wound around the Arkansas River (which makes sense to connect with steamboat traffic) and the ridges that dot this area, taking travellers through our home town.

Another sign informed readers about this knarled old tree and some of the things that have happened in America since it began to grow.

The outbuildings were fascinating, too, and we hope to go back again, but this time when the museum is open for tours :)

After we discovered the museum was closed, we drove just a few minutes to hike the short and sweet Caudle Overlook Trail along the Arkansas River.

With all the rain we've had recently, the streams were flowing quickly and little waterfalls abounded. 

And we worked up an appetite!

Kat Robinson's books featuring Arkansas food laced with history haven't steered us wrong yet. We stopped at the Blue Diamond Cafe on the way home to try their famous Monte Cristo.

That sandwich did not disappoint. It tasted like something straight out of the county fair, but loaded with ham and warm, gooey cheese. Magnificent.

Service was stellar, and when we ordered one dessert with two spoons, our waitress cut the brownie in two and gave us a generous scoop of ice cream drizzled with sea salt caramel. What a treat!