Most amateur philosophers agree on a few things, and one is that life is better lived with passion. We can’t all be passionate about the same thing. But for each of us, life is a little more inviting if we face it with some sort of passion.

For some it’s art – I admit, that’s one of the things for me. The idea that we can create if not completely original things, then creative takes on beautifully familiar things – I love that human ability.

For some, it’s music. Yea, this is one of the things for me as well. I’m not so great at making it, but it often changes my whole day, my whole mood, my whole cluttered mind, body and soul, to listen to a great song that’s meant something to me in trying times or beautiful times or ordinary times.

There are many other passions, but for many of us faith is one of the most important things in our life.

Many church groups, youth groups, and religious organizations like to take retreats or travel for missions/volunteer  work. These faith-based tours create an amazing space of time to connect with each other over one common passion. They’re extremely edifying to any group. They tend to deepen friendships and certainly to solidify passion.

One great choice for faith groups is volunteering. When your passion is around a common goal, it’s an amazing feeling to put that passion to a common effort. Imagine working together to build a house for someone in poverty, to gather food for a children’s home or community center, or to paint and update facilities for youth and low-income families.

Some faith groups like to gather around a specific concert, conference, or event. This can make the friendship-building multiply as your group meets others with similar passion.

And then there are places of faith – attractions built to celebrate faith, to tell its story, or for gathering members of a certain faith (e.g., the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah). Pictured here is one such attraction for members of the Christian faith.

The Precious Moments Chapel is located in simple, quiet Carthage, Missouri. It’s designed around the beautiful child angels with the tear drop eyes originally painted and sculpted by Sam Butcher. The chapel was inspired by the famous one by Michelangelo. It’s walls and ceilings are covered with murals featuring the famous Precious Moments characters. It’s a breathtaking sight, and there are others nearby – an art museum, wedding chapel, ornate bridge, and fountain – centered around the characters as well.

Perfect for a weekend excursion, the Precious Moments Chapel is just one faith-based attraction in the nation. You may find an attraction inspired by your faith that is nearby many more exciting tourist locations. If you visit the Holy Land Experience in Orlando, for instance, you’ll find yourself surrounded by days and days worth of fun. The CBN studios near Virginia Beach offer a beautiful vacation setting as well.

The truth is, it tends to be the journey as much as the destination that makes group travel so special, especially for a group that shares such a passionate common interest in the first place. This makes tours of faith some of the most meaningful any group can take.

Photo by pnoeric on Flickr.

I destroyed the bell outside of the Precious Moments chapel & I feel a sense of relief. My only sadness is they will think someone tragically dropped the bell instead of willfully destroying it. They’re that good-hearted and kind. Maybe they’ll find the video and learn the truth. Maybe.

Click here for your viewing pleasure.

We’re moving on to Joplin, MO. It’s 10:44am.

We have a Precious Moments Bell that needs to be destroyed, but we’re going to eat breakfast first. Decide the method of destruction for us…and no, saving the bell isn’t an option.

It’s 8:26am.

We’re traveling back home from the North American Christian Convention in Cincinnati taking a much needed time out with the family. We spent the 4th of July weekend in Brunswick, OH at my Uncle Dave and Aunt Judy Gray’s house. On Sunday there was a big Gray family surprise party for my Uncle Gerard and Aunt Liz’s 50th wedding anniversary. 52 people were there. I got to visit with uncles, aunts, and cousins I haven’t seen in 20 – 30 years. We had a great time!

We are now taking our time working our way back home to Colorado. We spent time in beautiful Amish country in Ohio. The corn fields and wheat fields are quite a sight to see.

We then drove down into West Virginia, a state I had never been to before. Everything is so green! More farm land, lots of corn there, too.

We pushed hard yesterday through Kentucky to get to Missouri so we’ll have time to do some sightseeing today. We crossed the Mississippi yesterday. It is still showing signs of all the flooding the past few weeks. What an awesome sight.

Last night we ate at Lambert’s Cafe in Sikeston, MO. It is the “home of the throwed rolls.” With a slogan like that we just had to stop and see it! Sure enough, the waiters push around a cart full of hot rolls and holler out “hot rolls!” If you want a roll you wave your hand and they throw one to you. They are hot so once you catch them you have to quickly put it on your plate. Boy were they good! The meal servings were huge and delicious (and not on my diet).

Today we are off to the Springfield, MO area to visit a Civil War battlefield then on to Carthage to see the Precious Moments chapel. On the way to Springfield we’re going to go through West Plains and Caulfield where we used to live and Gainsville to show the kids the church where Chris and I got married.

We’re having a great time!

Ken

I am sitting in the newly remodeled library in Carthage, Mo.  Carthage is known as the Maple Leaf City of Southwest Missouri.  I was born and raised in Topeka, Ks and in 1993 I moved to Carthage, Mo with my job.

My office was in Joplin, Mo, but my boss lived in Carthage and when he invited me over and took me for a tour of the town, I fell in love with it.  We moved to Carthage in the Fall.  Fall is the best season of the year in Carthage because of all the Maple trees. That is why it is called the Maple Leaf City. In the fall everything is beautiful with all the colors of the trees. 

In the fall we have a parade called the Maple Leaf Parade. It is the largest parade in the entire Southwest Missouri area.  Awesome time and thousands come to see the over 200 entries every year.

Carthage, Mo is also so blessed to have the Precious Moments Chapel here.  Sam Butcher is a famous artist and found a beautiful piece of Land just south of town and built his world famous chapel.  I really enjoy it and it is one of the prettiest places I have ever seen.

Well I hope you can tell, I Love living in Carthage, Mo. The Maple Leaf City.

Lowell Lane