It's official, I am back is Sheridan, WY, which if you do NOT know yet, is the number one WESTERN Town in Amerrrrrica. Congrats Sheridan, congrats. Now, let me tell you, being gone from Sheridan so long then coming back, I am blown away by how beautiful it is here. No kidding. I spent most of my life here and never acknowledged it UNTIL….
I come back from Oklahoma.
Just to be fair, we can do a vote…. ok, you vote, which it prettier?
OR
Now that we all agree on that. LET ME TELL YOU, where Oklahoma is lacking in the beautiful mountains, they certainly make up for it with their beautiful people, examples coming….
I had some hard goodbyes to make. A few days before I left I had my graduation ceremony for Cosmetology School, however my family could not make it so I decided to invite all my family I made in Bartlesville over the years. Side note- we were all forced in the basement of the Community Center during the ceremony for the Tornadoes, purrrrrty terrifying.
I DIGRESS.
The Hollands:
What to even begin to say about these two…. Chuck and Robin. First of all, my Dad and Mom wont stop telling me to tell you to come visit again, so upon my return I expect to see you.
I think everyone can agree that we all want that type of love in our life that is our fairytale… Chuck and Robin are a fairy tale kind of love in real life. Along with my parents, these two have opened up my eyes to what God wants for us in marriage. I love watching them interact and makes jokes with each other, you can see the contentment in both of their eyes when you are around them. Their strength in Christ is something I admire, not only are the individually strong in Christ but as a couple. Their love for life is contagious. I treasure so much about my time spent with them but just a few highlights….
-Sunday night breakfast for dinner– Tessa, Steph and I, (all from the north) introduced them to peanut butter on our pancakes so from then on the peanut butter was always ready on the table.
-Tea Time- I can't even count the number of tea 'parties' Robin and I had. The moment I walked in, I had to head for the tea station and make myself a cup.
-Stuffing envelopes– Robin, when you and I stayed up until 2 am stuffing Christmas cards, boy did we have a system down.
-Mammie– a women with a heart of gold, I am sad I did not get more time with her but I love the little memories I have with her.
Chuck and Robin,
Thank you for always encouraging me in Christ and letting me vent about all the craziness of my life. Also, for reminding me that God has that perfect someone out there for me. BUT I still think, if I am lucky somehow, when I do get married, magically you will be my in laws. : ) Love you both so much and also thank you for supporting me on this step in my life.
The Loosens:
(When I was homeless my last week in OK!)
Mark and Leslee, Lana (soon to be Smith), Easton and Daniel Smith, these are my kitchen people, just like my family.
What I mean by kitchen people is, you know there are some people where their kitchen is a private place and you don't spend time in there, mostly just in the living room. THEN there are the KITCHEN PEOPLE, where you walk in and you are a guest for 3 minutes and after that, you are at home. They let you into 'their kitchen' you may sit on the counters and chat, help them cook, put dishes away. They let you into every area of their lives. The LOOSENS are KITCHEN PEOPLE. That is why I loved spending time with them, it was like being at my home. I would come over and Leslee would always ask, "Now where is your laundry?!" (I had no washer and dryer) I had my Birthday Dinner over there, and Leslee cooked my annual Birthday Dinner- Moroccan Supper.
Mark works at the Honda Dealership and one time I was desperate to get my car fixed so I gave him an unexpected visit and greeted me with a huge hug and we went outside and he fixed me up! This family has a way about them that makes you feel so loved and important, and that is what I needed 17 hours away from my own family. They have always encouraged my walk with Christ and for that I am eternally thankful.
Lana and Daniel are getting married soon, and I am going to miss it, but I am so excited for you two! I am hoping we can set up skype during it?? YES?! They have a wonderful son Easton, who is THE CUTEST BOY EVER! I love his deep deep deep voice, "MAAAAMA." I admire Lana and Daniel for their devotion to God's will for their lives. Daniel is so charismatic and relational to everyone around him, and is such an awesome Father! Daniel, thank you for always challenging my walk with Christ, and I will never forget Tyler, yours and my crazy wonderful times at Starbucks.
LANAAAAAA!!! haha I love our talks, you always make me laugh, and I treasure our friendship, even though we don't keep in touch too much, always know that you mean the world to me. Lana, is just as relational as Daniel, which is what makes them a 'DYNAMITE' couple.
The Philippes:
(our group)
This was my first 'family' in Oklahoma. When I went to Oklahoma Wesleyan there was a bunch of us that formed a wonderful group of friends and Michael, who was Joe and Rita's oldest son was from Bartlesville, so they immediately took us all in. Sunday Lunches, lemon poppy seed chicken was the usual meal of choice. Rita and Kristen, her daughter for that matter, are both AMAZING COOKS! And of course Joe's famous popcorn. I realized how long they been in my life every time I stood next to their younger son Stephen, and he was now 7 feet taller than me.
I so looked forward to our special lunches. Joe and Rita, so much to say about them. My best friend Alica and I would often talk about how special they are, and what an inspiration their love for Christ is. Christ radiates through everything they do and everyone who knows them can see that.
One short story, one time when my roommates and I were just moving into our apartment, the back sliding glass door shattered, one HUGE spider web. SEE PIC BELOW! : )
Joe saved us and got it replaced. HE is wonderful.
Thank you Phillippes, for always making sure we all had a family in Bartlesville to come to whenever we needed that support. I love you all so very much and you are so precious to me.
WALTER: (that one kid from Peru)
I had mentioned to Walter about my graduation and I had no idea he was going to come. Until I was in basement I saw him. It made me so happy! I text him after and told him I was surprised to see him there, and I wish I could quote the text back but it got deleted… It was something like…. How could you think I would not come, I wanted to support you and I am sure your parents would want you to feel supported and I wanted to be a part of that… His words were a lot better than mine are but that was the gist. Walter, Walter, Walter. Right now he is on a mission trip in Mexico, and I so excited for him. He just because a Christian within the last two years. I can honestly say that the times I was drained spiritually and feeling out of it, all I needed was some hang out time with Walter and our conversations and his words of wisdom and encouragement boosted me right up. We usually planned dinner about twice a month or more but I always looked forward to them!
Walter, anyone who comes into contact with you is going to blessed beyond what you can imagine. I already know multiple people who talk to me about how inspiring you are. Thank you for all the special memories and telling me what I needed to hear. AND I am glad you agreed to paint with me, maybe paint a picture for your parents : ), they would love that.
Some of my favoriteeee memories…..
-Painting
-Making you try new things- crab stuffed mushrooms, and SALSA VERDE for example….
-Making fajitas for an army out of the incorrect kind of meat
-BREAD PUDDING
OKAY! SO I refuse to say goodbye to any of you, just a SEE YOU LATER… for many reasons…
1) Who would not want to come visit Sheridan, WY and stay at our little cabin in Story rent free. OPEN TO YOU ALL.
2) I am sure I will find myself back down south at some point.
Thank you all for the memories and giving me a support system. I know for a fact my parents also say thank you, they have told me how wonderful you all are multiple times. I am one blessed girl to have all of you in my life that give me an abundant amount of love in all areas of my life while I was in Oklahoma. Each of you have been a huge part of who I am today. Also, seeing as I spoke with all of you about this World Race adventure, you too have helped me step out in faith and know that this is what God has called me to do.
-Shalom-
