Wild, Beautiful, and Free

Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you will look back and realize they were the big things. 

As I sit here writing this on this cool September morning with my toes currently dug into the sugar like sand, I am in awe at life. Seabrook Island is one of my very favorite places in the entire world. Yes I said entire world. Not only for its renowned secluded beauty with the grandiose oak trees cascading over the roads, but for the memories that this place holds for me. Since I was a little girl I have spent countless time on these quiet beaches throughout all four seasons, running through these quiet trails, crab trapping with chicken necks on the docks, deer chasing, bobcat seeing, and making memories that I could write an entire book on. Walking out the door this morning as the screen door slammed, it took me right back to a child hearing that screen door open and close with the people who I love most walking through that door. And the memories of waking up early to the screen door opening to the sound of the day beginning. But I am most of all thankful for the time that God has enabled me to spend with my family and friends here. Each time I come here there is an immediate sense of peace.

This weekend started with a wonderful drive down the beautiful stretch of coastal highway, my favorite part of the drive. I made it my motive to slow down and embrace the ride, and I did just that. Not even thinking while getting dressed, I put on my Montinata shirt that I purchased in Ecuador in plan for one of my favorite long runs on the beach as soon as I arrived to the island. I had no idea what a conversation starter this shirt would become! (I think God was laughing as I chose this shirt, thinking “she has no idea what I’m about to do!”) I ended up spending 15 minutes at a random gas station on Highway 17, sharing my story and experiences in Ecuador as the ladies wanted to know more and more. Just the two gas station attendants and I, complete strangers, sharing our worlds. As I continued my trek, and as many times as I have driven this highway, I have never stopped at this little jam and pie stand called Carolina Cherry Company. I’ve always wanted to, just have never taken the time. It reminds me of a little hidden gem tucked sweetly in the North Carolina mountains. Today was the day to try it out! Oh my stars, It was so adorable! With rocking chairs out front and beautiful well manicured pots, it was the cutest little pit stop with nothing but views of the low country marshlands. The smell of fresh homemade pies of every flavor flooded your nose as soon as you walk through the door, with every kind of jam and jelly you could imagine. And it wouldn’t be complete with your few assorted bags of local pork rinds as well! My Montanita shirt became another conversation piece to my dismay. I spent another 20 minutes in there talking and sharing with the ladies and together sharing life’s greatest blessings. I always pray for God to use me and I believe that God puts special people in your life for a reason every single day. He puts the most special people in my life who influence my world. They mold me and influence me in such positive ways. My next stop was the famous Angel Oak Tree. Since I was a little girl this tree has never ceased to amaze me, and still to this day I am in complete awe. This tree is believed to be 1500+ years old and covers 17,000 feet. When I tell you it’s huge, I would be telling a half truth because huge is not even a correct description. Thank goodness for new friends, sweet conversations, finding local hidden gems, and being free as a bird to explore wherever the wind may take me.

The whole purpose for this little getaway was for the celebration of marriage for my step sister, and it could not have been more perfect. I must say, that’s the way to go- sweet and intimate! The simplicity of this weekend was unforgettable. Spending quality time with the people we love most, celebrating such a beautiful event of marriage. Lots of belly laughs, joyful tears, and sweet memories to add to my memory hope chest on this special island. Seabrook could not have been a more perfect setting. Also, after cooking for a whole party I am now a pro at Low Country Boil- a southern coastal delicatessen! I am so thankful for this opportunity to be a part of my God given sister’s special day and to be able to add to the memories of this special place.

Unknown's avatar

The McLeod's

Welcome to our blog! We’re glad you stopped by and we hope you come back and visit. We want you to be a part of our journey! We are John and Chelsea McLeod. Best friends who are embracing the most precious gift of marriage and life. On the way to be full time missionaries and currently living a life mentoring those broken by addiction from both sides of the pain- loved ones and those struggling with addiction. Here you will find our recorded histories of life, love, struggles, and the journeys that encompass our wanderlust spirits all with an unfailing love for God and His ever so perfect redemption and grace over our lives. Here lies a safe place where our minds wander off into the deepest places with documentation to never be erased. We don’t want our memories to fall between the cracks somewhere, so we write. We don’t want to forget how far God has brought us, so we make records that will prayerfully live on for generations and give others hope who have lost theirs. We met in the most divine of appointments thousands of miles apart that only God could orchestrate. Had our first date watching a fiery sunset go down over the Georgia coast, and ultimately fell in love over kindred spirits that beat for where and what God passionately filled our hearts with. Hindsight, and years later, we can see that God had big plans all along that we couldn’t see. Through our broken pasts, He was preparing us for each other and a future of redemption and testimony. {{{{Everyone has a story and this is ours:}}}}} He’s a Georgia boy, she’s a Carolina girl. ----Hi, I’m Chelsea!---- I’m a native Carolina girl who loves to explore anywhere I’ve never been. An old soul and an extroverted-introvert with a deep heart that overflows with passion and a hunger for God to use me to change this world for the better. Mysterious and meek to the eye, and particularly passionate for the very things that set my heart on fire, especially the things and people that my heart beats for. I get filled up in the untouched outdoors where I can always see and feel His splendor. I am a Master cosmetologist by trade with a BA in Social Work and Counseling. These which intermix daily. I absolutely love the career that God has placed me in and daily, it allows me to love on people all around me. If I can make one person smile a day, my heart holds a fullness that keeps me coming back for more. I believe in forgiveness and miracles because I’ve witnessed them both. I don’t want my life to be about what I accomplished but what God accomplished through me. To me, I’ve learned that in life there is good and bad, right and wrong, excuses and no excuses. But alongside of these very things is engulfed with a ton of grace, growth, and redemption. I don’t ever want to pay the cost of not following my heart, by spending the rest of my life wishing I had. ----Hi, I’m John!---- I’m a born and bred Georgia boy where my blood runs strong with salt water. I was born and raised on the coast where everything I did was engulfed with water and the outdoors. I’m a bold soul with a gentle spirit who loves to help others in any way that I can to believe in themselves and God’s plan over their lives. By trade I hold the title of professional hunter and fisher with a 100 ton captain’s license. What started in Georgia took me out to Alaska where I found my career there, then south Florida and the open blue water. I’ve seen a lot and experienced a lot of God’s beauty and I will be forever grateful for that. Today I’ve taken on the title of “Fisher of men.” After enduring a wearisome season of addiction, God called me to use my pain to help others in addiction ministry and it has become one of the greatest joys of my life. It’s what I live for in showing people they can overcome something that most think they can’t. Offering hope where there is none. Testifying that something they always thought they would be, is only a season that God is ready and wants to use. Where Chelsea serves alongside me pouring into the loved ones. It’s where my passion is, it’s where we love to help others find freedom the same way we did. Today, Chelsea and I are grateful for our struggles because we know that what the enemy meant for evil, God used for good. Here we will write and share. Not to glorify us, but to glorify Him and what He is doing in our lives. The magnificent ways that He is moving and the unfathomable circumstances that He has and will bless us with. All glory goes to Him. We hope you enjoy!!

Submit a comment