Gran's Country Cabins

Welcome to Gran’s Country Cabins here in Bandera, TX. Sit down a spell and let me tell you a story…My name is Wanda Moravits and I’m not originally from Bandera but it had been in my heart to return for a long time. My Maternal grandparents’ family home was in nearby Camp Verde, TX and I could tell you many tales of the days I spent there a child …skipping rocks, catching fire flies and later cooling off on the front porch swing trying to catch an evening breeze.

My Mom, Mary Alice Taylor, was the daughter of James Elijah and Carolina (Wickson) Taylor. Mary Alice fell in love with Willie Welch; they married and moved to San Antonio  and eventually settled in south Texas.

 I grew up in the small South Texas town of Karnes City, the beautiful hill country always calling…. but as strong as my desire was to return, it did not happen often. My husband Shelby and I raised our family in Karnes City and he too began to share my love for Bandera and the surrounding area and we spoke of its beauty many times.

 I have always liked to write stories, songs and study genealogy. In 1998 while I was in Bandera visiting my Mom’s sisters, Jessie Reed and Ruth Philips, doing a little genealogy research,  Aunt Ruth asked me if I would care for her in her final days as she had outlived her husband Dee and had no children. Her illness appeared to be fatal. Shelby and I talked about the sacrifice it would mean for us and the importance of taking care of our family. As a registered nurse, I was in an especially good position to help and we all agreed.

 My Aunt Jessie passed on in the spring of 1999 leaving Aunt Ruth alone and her condition worsening. I left my position as director of nurses and we spent her last days together. The days were long and tiresome and I missed my husband, but at sunrise, as I’d step out on the porch, lift my eyes to the hills where I knew my help came from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.  Aunt Ruth’s last days were as comfortable as possible and at the end of many a long day I found myself marveling at God’s creation, His order and timing, filled with emotion I was torn ...wanting to go home and wanting to never leave. It was at one of those times that God planted a seed in my heart… buy this place. My first thought was the small farm Shelby and I shared in Karnes City and finances for two places. It seemed impossible but instinctively I knew that with God all things are possible. I began to seek God and He told me … build cabins…

After the death of my Aunt Ruth, the estate executor asked me to stay on in Bandera until he could finish clearing the estate affairs. As I looked back it was hard to believe that my aunt and I had walked that road together for a year and 1/2. As I had cared for Aunt Ruth in her final days, the executor gave me first choice to buy the estate. Shelby and I prayed, accepted God at his word and committed to Bandera. It was hard work, it still is. God enabled us to build our first cabin in 2005, and the last cabin in 2011.

God said to trust Him and have faith, and he would supply our needs. I have all but retired from nursing now only occasionally filling in for vacations and am enjoying God’s provision for my retirement. Shelby and I with the help of my nephew, Dale have the opportunity to meet beautiful people and share God’s grace.

 Many people would think I'm crazy to build cabins at my age but by faith I knew that God would provide.

Wanda and Shelby Moravits

July 17, 2011