Summertime is about creating memories. Families take vacations, kids run through sprinklers and soon summer fades to fall and everybody heads back to school. These summer moments become precious as time goes on, and serve as a reminder to hold loved ones close and cherish the time you have. Whether that is through taking a creative workshop or visiting the lake, these are the kinds of memories that are guaranteed to last a life time.
This issue of Seguin Today we dive into summer fun and creativity while also taking you on a journey of faith and spirituality in our special section. You’ll find stories of faith as well as a directory of spiritual centers in our community that will help you find a spiritual home in Seguin. In a time of hardship in Texas following the Fourth of July flooding, it’s as important as ever to hold on to what spirituality you have and find the strength to persevere lifting the community through strength in one another.
So grab your loved ones and make one more special summer memory as you gather and read the stories in this month’s issue. May they inspire you and bring a sense of wonder to these last moments of summer.
Lizz Daniels Creative Director
COVERSHOT
Keepers Interiors owner, Sam Ehrlich remains excited about Annie Sloan paint even after all these
Photo by Lizz Daniels
Keeping up the Keepers earns Flagship Designation
Story & Photos by Lizz Daniels
Artistic expression comes in many forms, but working with a paintbrush in hand may be the most well-known. The exciting thing about a paintbrush is that it is not required to stay on a plain white canvas. When creativity is the goal, anything can become a canvas, even furniture. The team at Keepers Interiors in downtown embodies this mindset each day they open the store.
Of the many products Keepers carries, Annie Sloan paint has made them a destination for learning to work with the product and for interior design inspiration. Owner Sam Ehrlich shared his excitement over the store’s recent designation as an Annie Sloan flagship store.
“We’ve carried the line for many years,” Ehrlich said. “I study under Annie herself, sometimes in Oxford, and sometimes in the United States when she’s here. So I’ll spend time retreating with her and learning more paint techniques and doing that. But the designation was kind of a surprise to us. It’s her 35th anniversary. Interestingly enough, it’s also Keepers’ 35th anniversary this year of being around. And for her 35th, Annie had decided that she was going to hand-pick her favorite storefronts, around the world, not just in the United States. There were 11 chosen in the United States, and we were one of the 11. We’re the only one in Texas, and that’s out of 44 chosen in
the world, from over 1,200 stockists. There’s nothing that we did in particular other than just being a shop that loved the product, and gave design expertise to people, helping them incorporate it into their home interiors and just be a destination shop for people to paint. And so we were shocked and honored to get this.”
Ehrlich says Keepers stays on the forefront of creative interior design by embracing his own art background as a source of inspiration.
“I specialize in the painting because of my art background,” he said. “And what we do is provide the paint and then we provide workshops or just expertise and helping people paint projects so that they’re not afraid of actually painting them themselves. But I fell in love with the paint first and then we started carrying it. The line brings in a lot of people because Annie Sloan is known around the world, and we’re the only stockist in the area. And so people do come to us just to buy the paint and to see what we’re doing. Our workshops have been quite fun because we’ve had people from all the way from Corpus Christi come just for a workshop to learn the methods and the different techniques that we teach in the Annie Sloan paint workshops. So we’re kind of a creative, curated, creative hotspot for DIYers and then design professionals that use it as well.”
Tucked in a corner of Keepers’ Annie Sloan showroom is a collection of furniture labeled ‘Paint Me Please.’ The pieces are available to purchase and then paint either at home or in one of Ehrlich’s many workshops and serve as a jumping point to ignite a creative spark.
“We do workshops called Bring Your Own Piece, and they bring their own piece, and they have access to all my paint colors and I paint with them in order to teach them,” he said. “Some people just come because they like to use our space instead of someone else’s. We have about 10 different workshops that we teach, and the Annie Sloan 101 is to get you familiar with the paint, but you learn different techniques with that on a board. And so you would learn how to blend colors into ombre. You would learn how to do a chippy look if you like the old making stuff look old and distressed.”
Workshops typically run about three hours long and allow DIYers to paint on boards to learn techniques which they can then take home an apply to their own projects. Ehrlich also provides hands on instruction to ensure patrons have all the notes written down for when they get home.
“Hands-on is usually the best,” he said. “Not just with paint, but with anything. And so we do a lot of hands-on here too, not just in workshops, but if people come by and are just curious about it will crack some open and show them what it does and how it works.”
As for the Annie Sloan paint line, it requires education because it doesn’t paint like typical latex paint. The consistency is different, it blends in its own unique way, but that’s why Keepers has become the destination location that it is –– they have the answers.
“It paints completely different than normal paint, and that’s why it’s got its own designation in that,” Ehrlich said. “The interesting thing is that it’s known because it doesn’t need prep work done other than the piece needs to be clean of dirt and dust, but you don’t need to sand or do any prep work on it.
You just start painting, and that’s part of the beauty of it for me is I don’t like sanding. So I can just jump into a piece and use my creativity to create that piece right away. They’re also water-based and have no VOCs. They’re made with actual pigment rather than chemical. And so that makes them completely different as well. It’s so thick that it paints double what latex paint does out of the same size. Then it’s hardening and sticking ability being able to be painted onto metal, onto glass, onto floors. We even have some out in our parking lot that’s been there over five years and still looks great. And the elements and it’s just nice to be able to paint something other than wood sometimes as well.”
Desire to create is what keeps Ehrlich going and the Annie Sloan line has served as a sort of muse for him, allowing him to think outside the typical artistic box one might place themselves in. For him, it’s all about color. He thrives on it.
“I love color,” he said. “And so with my art background, it allows me to play with color every day. It allows me to be creative. It allows me to interact with people, and I love to introduce people to art. And so that is an avenue for me to be able to interact with the public and do a little bit of teaching, do a little bit of learning. There’s always something you learn with this. And so I’m able to incorporate that into my life as a shop owner, and rather than being a canvas artist, I’m able to paint on to mostly furniture. And what I like is that most of it is upcycled furniture. It’s stuff that was headed for the landfill, and we really like to keep that out of the landfill and give it a second life and paint it and make it look great and give it a home again.”
As Keepers celebrates its 35th anniversary and its new flagship designation, the recognition serves as a testament to the passion and knowledge of those who work there bringing art and creativity to homes all around Seguin and beyond. •
Ever y Sunday July 13 - Aug 10 8:45 to 11:30
Take kids on the ultimate Alaskan adventure where the Northern Lights shine over majestic mountains, racing rivers, and sparkling glaciers.
Guiding them towards Jesus, True North VBS reveals that He is a faithful friend we can always trust. He's our True North!
Come Join Us!
Sunday Worship Begins at 10:15
Teen Bible Study Begins at 9:00
Adult Bible Study Begins at 9:00
Where is God?
The recent flooding in the hill country has brought profound sorrow, as lives have been tragically lost and communities devastated Our hearts ache for those who have suffered, and we lift up the families, friends, and neighbors grappling with such immense grief In these moments of overwhelming loss, it ’s natural to question where God is amidst the pain Yet , we are reminded that God’s presence remains steadfast , offering comfort and strength to those who mourn, and inspiring acts of love and support among communities as we come together to rebuild
Even in the face of such tragedies, God’s love endures While we may not understand why these events occur, we trust that God weeps alongside us and shares our sorrow We remember His promise is to never leave us nor forsake us His promise provides hope that sustains us and peace that surpasses our understanding
We pray for healing and restoration of all those affected by this tragedy We give thanks and pray for the strength of the volunteers involved in the search, rescue, and rebuilding Through it all , we are assured that God is near and guiding us forward towards renewal
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace In this world you will have trouble But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33
Pastor Jim Price
Books for Pecantown carries something for everyone ALL Paths
Story and photos by Lizz Daniels
Spirituality plays an integral part in the lives of many Guadalupe County residents. Whether that is through a Christian faith or another spiritual path, this community is strengthened by its connection to the world around it.
No local business knows this more than perhaps Pecantown Books & Brews where their faith and spirituality section has become a place for locals to find books and more to help them on their spiritual journeys. Owner, Tess Coody-Anders says Pecantown’s selection is highly curated to fit a wide array of spiritual paths.
“We like to say that our mission is to foster productive collisions: those moments when we gently challenge ourselves to think and feel broadly,” Coody-Anders said. “Whether it’s reading alone or discussing what we’ve read with our neighbors it fosters those connections. While faith is a highly personal thing, sharing in that faith can be a communal act, and we are happy to support that. We are particularly moved by the number of faithbased study groups that choose to connect with one another over coffee, cake and good books at Pecantown regularly!”
While many people opt to visit a church or other spiritual organization for their journey, books can play an integral part in helping enlighten those on their path. Books can open readers up to new worlds and thought patterns they’ve never experienced before thus offering a wider lens through which they can experience and process their lives.
“Books foster introspection and self-reflection, and have the potential to elicit a powerful emotional response to what we read,” Coody-Anders said. “Because spiritual health is an important component of total wellness, we have an expanded section we call ‘Mind, Body 7 Spirit.’ From the Bible to Brene Brown, we try to curate options for everyone. Because versions of the
Bible - regular print, large print, King James or New Standard, for example, are highly individual, we often special order exactly what our customers want and need in their price range.”
With books available to order as well as Pecantown’s selection in store, shoppers can expect to find just about any book on faith and spirituality with just a little help. Coody-Anders shared a few of her favorites to get mental wheels turning of what exactly her indy book store offers.
“A few of my favorites include: Robin Wall Kimmerer’s “Braiding Sweetgrass” and “The Serviceberry,” Eckhart Tolle’s “The Power of Now,” Kelsey Osgood’s “Godstruck:” Inside Seven Women’s Journeys to Religious Conversion, come to mind -- as well as anything by Anne Lamott or Glennon Doyle,” she said.
With the world appearing more divided than ever, Pecantown’s mission remains to encourage positivity and inclusivity within the Seguin community, no matter the diversity of individual viewpoints.
“Faith communities thrive in the Seguin, and are vital contributors to individual and collective health and wellbeing,” Coody-Anders said. “We see the good that faithful, spiritually vibrant individuals can do for one another and our community everyday, in rejection of the language of hate and division that sometimes masquerades as faithfulness.”
Books help expose inner truths to readers through thoughtful selfexploration and Pecantown remains dedicated to offering a safe space for the community to explore their faith in a way that is authentic to their personal path. So whether you are on the hunt for your next bible or a book to expand your spiritual mindset, Pecantown Books & Brews is Seguin’s premiere spot to grab a coffee, a new book and start expanding your faith and spirituality right here at home. •
Under the Lights, Hearts Ignite: Fields of Faith’s impact in the hearts of youth
Story by Cindy Aguirre-Herrera
Fields of Faith isn’t your typical night at the stadium. It’s a grassroots movement where young people take the lead, sharing stories of struggle and faith, reading scripture, and inviting others to find hope in a world that often feels chaotic.
It’s also not just an event, it’s a moment. And as the name suggest, it’s held on the athletic field – or as in this past year’s event due to rain – in the gym. It’s a place where community members can gather with the youth in a shared moment – a moment more powerful than a game. It’s a chance for people from all walks of life to come together, shoulder to shoulder, and experience something real.
Fields of Faith continues to grow at Seguin High School’s Matador Stadium. For years, youth from all over the area and not just Seguin have made the spiritual trek to the sidelines for a night of unity and purpose. With the full support and assistance of the SHS Athletic Department and surrounding districts, a pair of local pastors have worked to invite the community. Their invitation to them -- "Come as you are. Leave changed."
In this special segment of Seguin Today, Pastor Chris Larson of New Life Fellowship Church and Student Pastor Jesse Montanez, of Hillcrest Church team together to help answer some important questions – questions designed to light up more than just the scoreboards this coming spring.
When people ask what is Fields of Faith? What is your answer?
Fields of Faith is a night where students who have faith in Jesus can see they’re not alone. But it’s also a night where students who do not yet know who Jesus is can see the hope that we’ve found. Following Jesus was never meant to be something we did alone—it was always meant to be walked out in community as the body. Fields of Faith gives us that opportunity.
— Pastor Chris & Pastor Jesse
What was the original vision that drew you to Fields of Faith, and how has that vision evolved over the years?
Pastor Chris has been doing Fields of Faith for almost 18 years now, Pastor Jesse has been doing Youth Ministry for 5 Years. It was something we heard about and knew we needed to bring to Seguin. Pastor Chris has held it at the old Seguin High School and even on the former football field. Over time, what’s changed isn’t the heart—but the name. We’re pivoting away from the name while keeping the vision. We no longer want to invite just athletes, but students from every background and walk of life. That’s why we’ve transitioned from Fellowship of Christian Athletes to Student Life Seguin. Same mission—wider net.
— Pastor Chris & Pastor Jesse
How do you see Fields of Faith impacting students beyond just the night of the event? Are there ripple effects you’re noticing in your congregations or community?
If we had to give you a word picture, we’d say Fields of Faith is like a lighthouse—it draws you into a space where active community is happening. But let us be crystal clear: Fields of Faith is not an on-ramp to make our churches bigger. We want to impact students with the life-changing power of Jesus Christ first. Yes, we believe students need to join a faith community, but Fields of Faith was never meant to be the bait that just adds to church numbers. If you care more about church attendance than the spiritual health of a student, you’ve missed the entire purpose. We’ve seen students and families show up at our churches and we’re honored to walk with them—but them meeting Jesus is always first.
— Pastor Chris & Pastor Jesse
In an era when young people face so many distractions and challenges, what makes this event still relevant and powerful?
This generation definitely faces distractions—but let’s be honest, we did too when we were younger. They might look different today, but the distractions were still there. The one truth that’s spanned generations is this: young people want what’s real. Real faith. Real community. A real Jesus. These students are facing things we never even dreamed of growing up. In the midst of that, they’re craving something authentic that will carry them through their hardest days. Following Jesus isn’t just for the popular or the hurting—it’s for both. We’ve seen that if you're real with this generation and call them to something higher, they rise to it. They want that purpose. That truth. That Jesus.
— Pastor Chris & Pastor Jesse
As pastors from different churches, how has your partnership helped shape the spirit of unity this event promotes?
When we get to heaven, it’s not going to be divided by church names or buildings. The Bible says we are one body—and that’s not talking about logos or walls. Everyone says they want unity, but often we’re more focused on what benefits our congregation. Are we willing to partner even if our church doesn’t get mentioned? Even if it doesn’t grow our numbers? In our combined years in ministry, we’ve both had people say they’ll run with us as long as the location is neutral or their church gets credit. But the reason we run together so well is because we care more about the name of Jesus than the name on our church signs. We don’t want the spotlight—we want students to meet the real Jesus. That’s what they’ve seen in our partnership. No competition. No insecurity. Just Jesus. And because of that, they trust us.
— Pastor Chris & Pastor Jesse
What advice would you give other pastors looking to come together for a shared cause in their own communities?
Lay down your pride and your title. We’ve both seen it—people care more about who gets the mic than who gets the gospel. We’d be happy just holding the door if Jesus is being praised and truth is being preached. So here’s our advice: make sure it’s about God, not your platform. These events aren’t photo ops, they’re not brand-building opportunities. They should always be about Jesus and His Kingdom. And don’t be afraid to start small. Not everyone will want to join you in the beginning—because it doesn’t benefit them yet. But God brings the increase. If it’s just you and one other person, that might be all you need. Be cautious who you run with. Some will join later just for the recognition. But remember success is not measured by the crowd. If one life is changed, it was worth it. Don’t despise small beginnings, and know God sees what happens even when no one else does. Not everything needs to be posted or praised— sometimes it’s just about loving people the way Christ loves us.
— Pastor Chris & Pastor Jesse
Was there a specific moment or testimony from a past Fields of Faith that deeply moved or surprised you?
We were praying at the end of an event and one student opened up in front of everyone about suicidal thoughts. What happened next was powerful -- students all around him moved in, laid hands, prayed, and showed him the love of Jesus. That moment reminded us why we do this. Yes, we laughed, ate, and worshiped—but that was the moment. Real God. Real people. Real healing. You never know what a student is carrying behind their smile. Whether they’re popular, athletic, or seem “okay,” brokenness can be hidden. But in that moment, we saw students be the body of Christ. That’s what this is about.
— Pastor Chris & Pastor Jesse
What role has student-led ministry played in shaping your own perspective as a faith leader?
Ministry wasn’t meant to be stadiums of people watching one good speaker. It was meant to equip the saints to do the work. We say “student-led,” but truthfully, all ministry should be people-led. That’s why we’re intentional about giving students space to minister. This can’t be the Chris and Jesse show. If it’s just about us speaking, it dies with us. But if we use our voice to raise up the next generation, that’s legacy. That’s Kingdom.
— Pastor Chris & Pastor Jesse
What role do parents and community members play in Fields of Faith?
Parents play a massive role. The statistics show when mom and dad follow Jesus, the kids often do too. But too often, youth and adult ministries are treated like separate worlds—and that weakens the church. If we have a youth ministry that’s fun but kids don’t know how to honor their parents or pray at home, we’ve failed. We didn’t build a family—we built a service. Church should be more than an echo chamber; it should be a hospital and a launchpad to transform lives and communities. The enemy wants to divide parents and children. But a move of God in a student can shift a whole household. We don’t want to pull kids from their families—we want to equip them to minister to their families. The same goes for our city. Seguin should be stronger because the Church is present. Revival doesn’t start with noise—it starts with change. And it just might be these kids who spark it.
— Pastor Chris & Pastor Jesse
Are there any new elements or directions you’d like to explore for future events to keep the message fresh and engaging?
We’re extremely thankful for what Fields of Faith and Fellowship of Christian Athletes has been. It’s laid a beautiful foundation. But our mission now reaches beyond just athletes—it’s all students. That’s why Student Life Seguin was born. From the outside, it may not seem very different—and that’s intentional. The mission hasn’t changed, but the net is wider. We’ll still meet weekly with students, still host large community events like Fields of Faith, but the name will shift. We’ll continue hosting two big events each year—one in the fall and one in the spring—where we invite the whole community to hear the gospel. The new event names are coming soon.
— Pastor Chris & Pastor Jesse
If there’s one takeaway you hope each student leaves with, what would it be—and why?
We’d say three things:
1. That they can have an identity in Christ as a new creation.
2. That the gospel is not just for their parents—it’s for them.
3. That they were never meant to walk through life alone.
— Pastor Chris & Pastor Jesse •
At the Heart of Everything: The Importance of Faith at TLU
Special by Mark Peacock
At Texas Lutheran University, faith is a component of everything we do. It’s woven into our approach to education, and exemplified in our emphasis on servant leadership. You’ll see evidence of faith in action as our faculty, staff, and students offer service hours and take up volunteer opportunities in our local community. The faith component surfaces in our faculty’s approach to their curriculum and in the mission and vision of the university, which is associated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
The campus is literally situated around a beautiful stone chapel—the Chapel of the Abiding Presence—and students of all faiths are encouraged to explore their individual beliefs and to find the deeper meaning in everything they do.
TLU invites the community to join in morning chapel services on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays during the school year. The university also hosts special faith-based events like Christmas Vespers, which are free and open to all. In an effort to share our faith, TLU’s president, Dr. Debbie Cottrell, visits area churches, as do the TLU Campus Ministry team and Pastor Wes Cain.
The hope is that when our students graduate and move out into the larger world, they’ll carry with them a clear sense of what it means to serve as the hands and feet of God, no matter their chosen career path—that they will follow their dreams while staying deeply grounded in their faith.
One example of how faith intersects learning at TLU can be seen in our Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. The program goes beyond the usual instruction in the realms of finance, marketing, statistics, and analytics to include discourses on ethics and the idea of leading with character, conviction, and purpose.
The director of the MBA program is Associate Professor Dr. Mark Peacock, who is also a newspaper columnist writing on the subject of business. Below is an example of a recent column—a seamless blending of leadership marked by faith—which is a testimony to how Dr. Peacock teaches his classes.
The Enduring Value of Integrity
Each semester, I begin my business ethics course with a story about Samuel from the Old Testament. At first glance, it might seem like an unusual choice to introduce a discussion of ethics in modern business practices. A religious leader from 3,000 years ago—what could he possibly teach us today?
For those unfamiliar, Samuel was the last of the judges of Israel, a leader who guided his people during a tumultuous time. Ironically, he was also the best of them, standing out in stark contrast to the often-disappointing judges who preceded him. Despite his wisdom and integrity, the people of Israel demanded a king to lead them, so that they could be like other nations. Samuel warned them they would regret this choice, but God granted their request, and it was Samuel who anointed both Saul and later David as kings.
Samuel’s farewell address to the nation is a powerful testament to the role integrity played in his leadership:
"Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the LORD and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these, I will make it right."
“You have not cheated or oppressed us,” they replied. “You have not taken anything from anyone’s hand.” (1 Samuel 12:3-4 NIV)
It’s remarkable: a leader at the end of a long career, asking his people if he had ever wronged them or abused his authority—and their unanimous reply was
essentially, “No, you have led us with honor and integrity.”
Samuel stands out in a world where shortcuts, scandals, and self-interest often dominate. He remains a model of integrity.
The Meaning of Integrity
In class, I ask my students to reflect on that word: integrity. What does it mean to them?
Some say it’s about truthfulness or honesty. Others speak of character, authenticity, or consistency. A popular answer is, “Doing the right thing when no one is looking.”
The word itself comes from the Latin integer, meaning whole or complete. Integrity involves being undivided, consistent, and authentic. For a person of integrity, their words and actions on Monday are the same as on Sunday. They treat others with respect, regardless of status or influence. Their actions align with their stated values.
When we think about leading others, we often immediately jump to what needs to be done. To be sure, much of being a leader is about deciding, communicating, and doing. But it’s important for leaders to reflect on the kind of person they want to be. The kind of reputation they want for themselves and their businesses. Our values shape our decisions, and our decisions shape our character and reputation.
Who’s Your Samuel?
Think about your own life. Who has been a model of integrity for you? When you hear the word “integrity,” who, in your life, comes to mind?
Perhaps it’s your parents, who made great sacrifices to ensure your success. Maybe it’s a steadfast grandparent who lived a life of quiet service. You might think of an unforgettable teacher who believed in you, a coach who guided and pushed you, or a youth group leader who showed you the way. It could be a friend who has stood by you through life’s ups and downs or a coworker who embodies honesty and dependability.
These people are our Samuels—guiding lights of integrity whose lives inspire us to be better.
Application
To sum up this discussion, I ask students this question (rhetorically): Are you living a life of integrity?
This is a question we should ask ourselves regularly, not out of guilt but as a guide. Integrity isn’t about perfection; it’s about striving to align our actions with our values, to live consistently and authentically, even when it’s inconvenient or difficult. For business, this means aligning strategies, leadership practices, and stakeholder interactions with a set of core values, creating a unified, ethical corporate culture.
In the end, integrity isn’t just about how others see us—it’s about who we see when we look in the mirror. And when we live with integrity, we become the kind of people others can look to as their Samuels—models of honor and character in a world that desperately needs them. •
Mark Peacock serves as MBA Director and Associate Professor of Business at Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, Texas.
DIRECTORY of CHURCHS & SPIRITUAL Centers
Allen Chapel AME Church, 255 E. Commerce St., New Braunfels, Texas 78130 830-626-0492
Amazing Grace Baptist Church 14593 State Highway 123, Seguin, Texas 78155
Zion Hill Baptist Church, 1952 Zion Hill Rd., Seguin, Texas 78155 830-379-3045
Sandy Toes & RV Roads
Rustic Waters brings the beach to Seguin
Story by Cindy Aguirre-Herrera
Just a few miles south of Seguin, three dreamers -- sisters Terri and Shawna Rohda and family friend Jason Roberts -- have done the unimaginable. They’ve built an unexpected beach escape in the middle of the Texas countryside. Complete with a giant ocean-like pool, white sand, and beach passes that feel like a ticket to paradise, Rustic Waters RV Resort is turning heads and TikTok feeds into a wave of excitement.
Tucked off the beaten path at 7327 Elm Creek Road, this RV park offers guests the full experience of an inland oasis. Although most folks are pulling into the park and unhitching their RVs, others are taking advantage of this coastal experience with a $20 beach pass. The most bang for your buck, however, might just be renting a RV on-site for a true staycation.
But no matter how one plans to dive in, you can’t help but be drawn to the massive, ocean-like pool -- a true rarity in Texas, with only one other known to exist in the Dallas area.
Although Terri is blamed for spinning the wheels on this dream first –the dream has always belonged to both sisters.
Originally from Wisconsin, the women have always dreamed of building a place that brought people together the way their own extended family did— gathered at a cozy cabin on open acres. But it wasn’t until 2021, when Terri says she found just the right patch of land where those dreams could finally be unhitched. Now, fast forward to Summer 2025, that dream has evolved into a summer sensation.
“We just opened up to the public this summer as far as, like, beach passes. But it’s the third year we started offering RV spots. But granted, when we first started offering them -- there wasn’t a whole lot here when our first RVs were here. In the beginning, we had some vacation people,” Terri said.
Of course, for guests, the pool is the number one amenity questioned the most. In fact, Terri says the idea for the ocean like pool was a total accident while planning for the design of the RV park.
“It was when I was doing... we had to do all of the bid prices for this place, and we accidentally found some other person and some other person who did this in their backyard. And we were like, ‘oh my God, we need that!’
We need it to look just like that. And we wanted white sand. We wanted all of that. And that’s what we did,” Terri said.
Terri says they worked hard to emulate the natural beauty and feel of being at the beach. She says every key component of its design was carefully considered.
“There was like, a divot in the land. I guess at that point, it just kind of naturally collected a little bit of water on the bottom. So, we had the big bulldozers come in and we wanted it like a lake. And they came in and did all of that. It’s got two liners, the thicker plastic one and then a felt one which it’s supposed to keep the sand from going into the pond. At that time, there were 22 trucks of the white sand semi-trucks and we’ve had to bring in more because the big rains will push it into the pond. The blue dye is because we learned that it really really works. In the beginning, we didn’t have it dyed, and it was so pretty. But then the sun, if it can penetrate the water, it makes the water hot just sitting in the sun like that. So, if it can’t penetrate the water, it doesn’t make the water hot. It keeps it cooler, and it helps with algae growth. So that’s why,” Terri said.
Pool aside, guests are greeted with tiki-style umbrellas, beachside fire pits, volleyball and soccer fields, and even a lil’ ropers play area for the youngest guests. A snack shack and rentable cabanas round out the resort experience.
And in true family-friendly fashion, there’s a pygmy goat farm, community garden, cornhole setups, grilling stations, and a glowing beach scene at night, thanks to strings of lights that twinkle over the sand.
And while these entrepreneurs recently felt forced to up the price of a daily beach pass, Shawna says the best way to experience Guadalupe County’s new oceanside property would be to simply stay overnight in one of their fully furnished RVs.
“It’s the same beach pass hours 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 2 to 6 p.m. And, as we said, we know that’s more expensive, and a lot of people probably won’t want to do it. But the better affordable way around that is, you know, to rent an RV. It’s $119 a night during the week and that comes with four people beach access with no time limit,” Shawna said.
Now for those in the area who already own an RV, Terri shares how an escape to paradise doesn’t have to be a 2-and-a-half-hour drive.
“We do get a lot of staycation people who are just around here. I mean, we have a regular that lives right down the road and they just come and bring their RV and stay for the weekend,” Terri said.
Shawna says her dreams for Rustic Waters are more than just those summer vibes. She says it’s the opportunity to surround herself with that sense of community that she and her sister once knew and are now able to share it with their own families.
“This is kind of the dream come true. And we’ve talked about it (this life) forever and ever and ever. Even just the simple things of coming out my door and getting on my golf cart and driving over to my sister’s house and saying hi to all your friends along the way -- it is pretty amazing,” Shawna said.
While keeping up with the resort can often be plenty of work, Terri says it’s on those busy summer days, when kids are splashing in the water and families are gathered around the fire pits that the hard work becomes worth it.
“When you see, like a bunch of people in the pond and the kids are having fun and all of that stuff -- then you get this moment of like, ‘yeah, we did it. We did it. They love it. We did it!’ And, we feel it makes us feel like it’s worth it,” Terri said.
Thanks to this trio of dreamers, Rustic Waters is proof that the ocean isn’t always where the map says it is. Sometimes, it’s where those dreams are finally unhitched.
For reservations, pricing or to purchase day passes visit www. rusticwatersrvresort.com or call 830-730-8591. •
To promote your event on this page contact advertising at 830-379-2234 or email communitycalendar@kwed1580.com
Featured Events
Conference
The Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the 2025 Texas Women of Influence Conference on July 31 at Geronimo Oaks Weddings and Events Venue, located at 1377 Dietert Road in Seguin. Organized by the Chamber’s Women’s Conference Planning Committee, the event aims to celebrate and empower women leaders across Texas. Further details, including registration and programming, will be announced closer to the date.
July 14-18
Camp
The TLU Community Music Academy will be hosting its Summer Strings and Vocal Arts Camps on July 14–18 at the TLU Schuech Fine Arts Center. Both camps are open to students in grades 2–6 and welcome beginners. Registration is open from April 21 to July 14, and the fee is $125 with discounts available. For more information and to register, visit www. tlucma.org.
July 26
Fun Day
July 15
Meet ‘n Greet
The Master Naturalist program will be hosting a Meet N’ Greet at 6:00 PM on July 15 at the AgriLife Extension Building, located at 210 E. Live Oak in Seguin. You are invited to learn about this volunteer organization dedicated to conserving Texas’ natural resources. For more details, visit txmn.org/guadalupe and click on “Certification Training,” or email Class@guadmn.org.
The Precious Life organization will be hosting the Celebration of Life Rally and Family Fun Day from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on July 26 at the Seguin Elks Lodge, located at 1331 C. H. Matthias Jr. Admission is free, and the event will feature free games, entertainment, and door prizes for the first 100 children. Vendor opportunities are available at no charge. For more information, call 830-372-5980.
July 25
Gabe Galvan Band
The Silver Center will be hosting Gabe Galvan Band at 7:30 p.m. on July 25th at the Crystal Chandelier Ballroom. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Presale tickets are $10 by calling 830-303-6612. Tickets are $15 at the door.
August 9
Fundraiser
The Seguin Sunrise Lions Club will be hosting the Singo Fundraiser at 4 p.m. on August 9 at the Silver Center. Themed “Music Through the Decades,” the event will feature five rounds of music bingo highlighting hits from the 1950s through the 2010s. Tickets will be sold in advance for $20.
