Checking for Rain

This was the week earlier in the month that it rained almost everyday...oh, to have those days back again! Last night we shared a meal with our long time friends, the Young family. Troy and Stephanie, along with their four fabulous boys (Tristan, Coleman, Blake, and Timmy), are moving from Mississippi where they've been for at least 12 years. In August, the six of them are packing up and moving to Littleton, Colorado where they will begin their new life in the West...pursuing their dreams of opening a retreat of healing and rest for believers. The first step is seminary for Troy and then on to the mountains to set up this retreat. To witness this transition in their lives is really amazing. It reminds me that God is active in our lives and will lead us on great adventures, life changing journeys, if we learn to listen to His voice, act in obedience, and trust Him completely. Hooray for the Young Family!!
As Mae keeps tabs on the rainfall in Tulsa, I will be practicing being quiet and listening to God's voice in my life.

A New Relationship

As Dave and I were driving home from a fun dinner, I heard babbling coming from both sides of the back seat. Mae and Owen were 'talking' to each other...Mae reverting back to baby talk for Owen's sake. They both were smiling and fully enjoying their interaction! I could see Owen's arms wildly waving toward Mae and saw him straining forwards to get a better look at her. Mae was staring at him while she made funny faces as she talked to him. It really was adorable! Hopefully this was the first of many good and fun moments that occur only between the two of them.

Newly Wed

Our first photo together, besides the thousands of wedding photos we took! We were on our honeymoon in Belize. Today is our 6 year anniversary and tonight we watched our wedding video for only the second time since we've been married. Hoping it would be a delightful experience as we laughed and remembered that sweet day, I decided to bring us both down by getting extremely emotional over it all. On my wedding day there was a lot going on besides Dave and I, yet that is what I focused on. When I watch it again, I don't focus on Dave and I and instead I find myself feeling all the emotions that go with the 'other stuff' that was going on. My parents had recently separated and were divorcing, I was leaving an incredible family in Mississippi (the Youngs) and saying goodbye to that chapter of my life, and my mom's health was steadily declining. On top of that, to see both my mom and grandmother (who are now both deceased) brings so much longing from my heart. To be with them, to hear their voices, to be under their authority and guidance...I miss those times. I also found myself grieving over what could have been. My life with Dave is far better than that wedding day, by far. We have had many adventures and still do to this day! Yet I find myself wondering if I made wrong decisions on where to live, what jobs to take, etc. I'm at a point in my life that I'm realizing how quickly time passes. I may not have very long, I might have 60 more years, but either way I know I need to be living out of who God made me to be, or I'm wasting time. I fear that I am not and I'm not sure where to go from here...

We Will Miss You, Kirby

One of my favorite memories of Kirby is when he lived with Dave and I in Salida for one year. He would come out of the house each time and roll in our mulch. Kirby got very dirty that year and he played hard, too! Several times he went with us snowshoeing, with Brandy and Noah, all while snow balls formed and grew larger as we hiked along. Sweet Kirby...he was so loyal to Julie, to my mom, and to his ball. He had the sweetest temperment, was amazingly soft and fluffy, and always wanted to jump up on your lap..especially if you were laying out by the pool. Kirby, I am so glad Julie picked you! Thank you for loving on all of us, for posing for so many photos, and giving us lots of years to enjoy you. Now you can rest.