July 2024
The evening of July 1, my parents and sister were wrapping up a trip to MO (from KY) and were having supper at my brother's in Joplin. I was able to show up and surprise my family for supper and a couple hours together.
Coloring with Aunt Elizabeth after supper.
This was the first time to see my mother walking since Oct. last year! She's just recently been able to up and walking again, and we're so thankful for God's touch on her!!
My parents with my brother and family.
Sweet friends of Happy Hands, Bob and Dotti, have invited me over several weeks in a row for an evening of supper and enjoying their pool. :)
July 4, I flew to Missoula, MT, to visit friends for the holiday weekend.
I love watching the clouds while flying.
Getting closer and seeing mountains all over!
Flathead Lake
When I got to my friends' home, they showed me their beautiful land and animals.
We had a delicious picnic for supper with a perfect backdrop!
Walking over their land with my friend Whitney after supper...
So good to reconnect with this sweet friend!
That evening we did some small fireworks on their property, before climbing up on their roof to enjoy the surrounding neighbors' fireworks.
The next morning, the Hoffmans took me to their favorite coffee shop and we enjoyed some time there.
That afternoon the kids and I enjoyed bike-riding to a local Amish store for ice-cream.
Such a beautiful place for a bike-ride!
And perfect for eating ice-cream!
Ready to head back on our bikes. It was 3 miles each way.
So so gorgeous.
One evening we went to the Bison Range and saw many buffalo!
On Saturday we went hiking up to Mission Falls. It was a gorgeous hike!
It got very steep and hard in some places.
Pete and two of his sweet girls.
So many pretty flowers along the way!
Seeing different water falls from a distance.
We were so relieved when we finally arrived at Mission Falls because we were so tired. I enjoyed drinking the clear, cold, fresh, mountain water!
We ate our lunch with this view.
So blessed to experience this with these sweet friends!
Pete took along all the fixin's for hot coffee!
Sweet Whitney
Playing Banana-grams before bed that night.
Sunday evening we went back to Mission Reservoir for a little campfire supper and then canoeing on the lake.
Sunset at 10:30 one evening!
I loved combing the girls' hair several days.
When I got back to OK, I got to go to 1 evening service of Ochelata Youth Camp.
Got to see my friend from college, Samantha!
It was nice to host a friend from our CO days, as she was traveling through OK one evening. We enjoyed playing music together on our violins.
One evening I joined my pastor's family and went to my first rodeo!
A quick photo with a couple coworkers one day that our lead teacher was out. It was nice to work with Lynnen a few times as she was subbing for the summer.
My Happy Hands friend and coworker, Allison, came to visit me at Chick-fil-A one Saturday.
Beautiful Crepe Myrtles all over Tulsa!
One evening my coworker, Shyanna, and her kids came over to swim.
Saying goodbye to a Chick-fil-A coworker who is moving away soon.
July 26, I drove to Kansas City and had lunch with my mom's cousins. So good to be with Brent and Darla for a few hours!
Then I went to a my cousin's daughter's wedding, also in KC. So good to see Albertson relatives!
My sweet cousin, Shirlene!
Beautiful outdoor wedding.
I flew home to KY Saturday evening, July 27, to be home for a week.
It's always so delightful being at my home church in Burlington!
Dear Regina Stetler! <3
We got a family photo, since we might not be together again till Thanksgiving.
Sunday dinner we had our dear friends, the Harms, over!
Playing games in the afternoon.
Sweet kiddos!
Monday supper and evening, my friend Brittany got to come over. We played some games together too.
A fire happened at my apt building in Tulsa on Monday evening, July 29. I'm so sorry for the people who lost everything, but as far as we know no one living there was hurt.
I have so much to be thankful for though, and I'm counting my blessings:
- that I'm home in KY when it happened, safe with my family! I'm truly so grateful I wasn't there when it happened. An apt fire has always been my worst fear.
- that because I'm on a trip, I have a week's worth of clothes and important things with me like my laptop, passport, etc. - that I found out in a calm way: my friend eating at a restaurant nearby saw it and went closer to investigate, called and let me know with all seriousness, but calmness.
- that as far as we can tell from pics, my unit apt didn't burn although it is likely has smoke and water damage. Some of my stuff may be salvageable!
- for God's peace that passes all understanding. He already knew this would happen, and has a good plan. I'm so thankful for His wisdom and timing.
- for the loving and kind friends and community that God has given me in/around Tulsa. So thankful I'm not alone in this.
Everyone from that building has to find new homes, so I will be starting over when I get back to OK, but it's okay. I'm thankful I got to live there for almost exactly 1 year (Aug 2, 2023 was my move in day).
These were pictures from what we could see on the news online as it was happening. My apt is where the green circle is.
My friend who saw it and called to let me know sent me this picture after most of the fire was out.
Trusting the Lord to help me as I fly back in a few days to pick up the pieces and take the next step.
