Oklahoma! Oklahoma!
Did anyone else watch Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and now can’t say Oklahoma without saying it like Steve Martin?
Just me?
No surprise there!
Ahhh…memories.
Who knows why some things just stick in our brains, but they do!
Alright, back to Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweeping down the plains…
I can’t help myself.
Okay, sorry, enough of that.
We pulled up to First Methodist Church, wrangled the kiddos, ran in, and got all settled in.
Sweet Aubyn got separated from me when we were checking Edley in. I only share this because she puts on a strong face so often. As I’ve referenced on here before, she is fearless, and I forget sometimes what a little girl she is. She is still a child who needs and wants her mom. It’s easy for me to forget when she’s so independent, strong willed, and adventurous.
It broke my heart that she was scared for a few minutes, but I loved her snuggling up close to me and wanting to be held. That’s getting rarer and rarer in this household and I’ll take all the holding of her I can get.
The service and sanctuary were beautiful and we joined Andrew for lunch afterwards at a church potluck. It was delicious! And a nice change from all the fast food we’d been guilty of eating.
Andrew was Justin’s chaplain at Lambuth and then went to Duke for his doctorate. Justin followed a few short years later and was at Duke with Andrew when we started dating.
It’s incredible how their two paths have mirrored one another, not just in physical locations, but spiritually as well. They’ve both had quite an awakening and it’s always exciting to see how God works in different peoples’ lives to show them He is real.
After lunch and getting to spend some quality time with Andrew and seeing the church, we headed over to my Aunt and Uncle’s home, which was just a few minutes away. I was so excited to see my cousin and his whole family there too! It’s been years since I’ve seen them and they are such great people, the kind you wish lived closer.
My sweet aunt surprised Edley with a cake. Needless to say, Edley loved it! She can not wait for her birthday!!!
I always love catching up with my aunt, who is also my godmother, and also letting her get to know my kids. She has the biggest heart and it is so special when I do get to see her in person.
Unfortunately, this was a quick visit, but still a sweet one.
Justin and Andrew were still trying to coordinate getting together either tonight before we left or tomorrow morning, just the two of them.
While we figured it out, we took the kids to The Gathering Place.
Has anyone been here? It’s incredible! The backdrop didn’t compare to the Colorado playgrounds, but holy cow was this place unbelievable. Seriously! Check it out!
Something had come up with Andrew’s church in the morning and he asked if we could hang out that night. How do you feel about an RV in front of your house?
No problem! I’m sure his HOA was questioning his judgment on this one. We felt like the Griswalds!
It cracked us up how he couldn’t understand why we didn’t want to stay in an actual house. I totally get it though. I was the same way and never understood why my in-laws would go sleep in their camper when everyone stayed in their home for the holidays.
But I get it now. Our RV has become our home away from home and its comfortable. Not that a hot bath doesn’t sound nice, but I’ll wait until I’m in my own tub.
Andrew, just like my Aunt and Uncle, was the ultimate host. In fact, when I think of our day in Tulsa, the word hospitality keeps ringing in my head.
My Aunt and Uncle were so flexible with our ever changing schedule, coordinated with my cousin, surprised us with a cake, and let my kids chase rabbits and swing in their backyard. Andrew opened his home, gave my kiddos ice cream, drove us on a golf cart to the playground, set them up with a movie, and let them play with his sweet dog.
We slept well that night knowing we were almost home. Tomorrow night, we’d either be halfway home or in Memphis, just a short 3 hour drive from Nashville. We were starting to get the itch to be home and you could feel it.
So close, yet so far away…
