Sunday, November 30, 2025

November 2025

November started with a special Sunday because my friends the Herrings came for Sunday dinner at my apt. It was so fun to host them and get to spend some time with them!
Fall finally showed itself in Oklahoma. We've had a very nice and warm fall till just recently.
Sunset one evening
One Saturday after work, my friend Victoria came to visit me for 24 hours. We were in college together for a couple years and now are both working with young children. It was so fun to reconnect and we had a sweet time together.
We walked at a park and took some memory photos in the leaves.
Then near the end of our walk, God changed the gray sky into a gorgeous sunset! We were in awe of God the amazing Painter and Creator as we watched the sunset.
So intense!

That evening we enjoyed watching "The Forge" and being creative with some painting.
A "bird convention" one evening. I love watching this scene.
Another evening...
Another sunset...
One Saturday, my sweet friend Mary Ann came to visit me at work and we got to eat together.
One evening I got to do supper with my friends Zak and Kati and their sweet boy. We played at a park afterwards.
Crunching through leaves on a walk on my break.
Thanksgiving Dinner at Happy Hands is always a highlight and sweet time of families and staff gathering together.
One Saturday I went to a friend's babyshower that my friend Leslie hosted.
Excited for this new mama!
Supper and games with sweet friends, the Willsons.
Sunday before Thanksgiving at Ochelata with the Herrings.
I got to meet up with a friend for chai and catching up during Thanksgiving break. 
Thankful for this sweet friend, Audrey!
Nov. 25: Tim and Brenda's family and I drove to KY for Thanksgiving with my parents and sister.
I'm very thankful God worked it out for us to go home for Thanksgiving, as that was not the plan before.
My mother's bone cancer has progressed a lot (in many bones and her lymph system now) and she is in quite a bit of pain. She is often using this neck support because of some of the pain she's in. She was able to read some books to the kids one day.
Thanksgiving Eve supper with my parents, sister, 2 brothers and their families.
Music time, worshiping God together and praising Him for His faithfulness.
Piper and I made this structure out of a fun building toy.
Felix loves helping in the kitchen.
Mother's BeReal while we were making music.
THANKSGIVING DAY!
We took the opportunity to take some family photos. Mother wanted to and was able to stand for them.
My precious and faithful parents <3
My dear Daddy <3
My dear Mother <3 so thankful she's still with us
My precious sister, Elizabeth

Daddy and Mother with Tim and Brenda's family
Felix was so hungry, but was patiently waiting for that yummy cream corn, till everyone was at the table.
Dear Regina Stetler stopped by for some quick hugs! So thankful I got to see her briefly during my few days at home.
Playing Chicken Foot
The day after Thanksgiving, Jason and Karen were able to come over again.
Playing games
A little art time...
Brenda make some yummy meals for us!
Charissa and me this Nov. 2025 and >>> Charissa and me 11 years ago, Nov. 2014!
Tim's family and I drove back to MO on the 29th.
We made a quick and cold stop by Ft. Defiance park, where the Mississippi and Ohio rivers converge.

Sunday, October 26, 2025

October 2025

October was a month full of blessings from God - time with special people to me!
It was also very full of busy work, lots of homework, and starting-to-feel-like-fall weather!

October 2 - my dear pastors, the Stetlers and Strouds, were traveling through for a wedding in OKC. They stopped by Happy Hands to see me for a sweet 20 minute visit! They are so dear to me. It meant so much to see them and have them see me where I work.
So hard to say goodbye.
October 4 - I joined some other coworkers at a 1-day women's conference. This was my sweet table-full.
It was really good. This pic was during the panel discussion at the end.
Oct 5 - I made a quick trip to OKC to be with the Stetler family for Sunday service.
So sweet to be among friends for Sunday dinner, especially the half of the family who are my Kentucky church people.
A beautiful post-sunset gradient sky one evening.
Another sunset.
This sunset was interesting as it was being chased by a storm coming in from the right. I could see the rain coming.
Zucchini soup season!
Cooked and ready to blend to yummy perfection!
Some Sunday afternoons I get out my violin for some hymn-playing.
Having my friend, Ms. Renee over for supper and an evening. It's been fun to serve my zucchini soup to several of my friends this season. They've all loved it.
Playing Punto.
Sunrise reflection one morning on my way to work.
October 14 - some of my dear friends from Montana were traveling through Tulsa and I met up with them for supper. It was so good to see them!
The next day after work, I got to see them again at The Gathering Place for a couple of hours.

My friend from KY, Brittany, came to visit me for my 2-day fall break. We packed the weekend full! First off, chai at Ziggis with Kati and her boy!
We traveled to Branson for some adventures. Our quote of the weekend was "We're adults. We can stop if we want to!" because we both grew up in big families who usually had to stay on schedule and not stop on trips. Our first stop was for a restroom, but we decided to stop at Cracker Barrel so we could also get candy sticks for the trip.
Then we stopped at Buc-ees!
We got supper at Chick-fil-A right before we got to Branson. We had our tea from Buc-ees and carried it into CFA with us. The young man at the register didn't see they were Buc-ees cups and said "Welcome back! Would you like a refill?" Haha! We explained.
We got to SightNSound Theatre an hour before the show started, and while we waited in line to get in, we witnessed this gorgeous sunset sky! God is the best Artist!
Ready for SightNSound to see "David"! This was my 3rd time ever to SightNSound, but Brittany's 1st time.
We loved the show; it was so good!
We stayed with friends, then the next day went back to Branson to go to Silver Dollar City. 1st time for both of us. I was so grateful I had a very discounted ticket, and 1 free ticket given to me. It was fall break, so it was a very busy day there.
On the train ride...
We didn't do a lot of rides, but this was one we did and enjoyed. We laughed so hard and got pretty wet!
Brittany watched me do this Giant Barn swing. It was exhilarating!
Finally time for a funnel cake.
Back at our friends' home for the night. It was so good to see the Arenders and visit with them for a few minutes.
The next day we headed back to Tulsa, but stopped by the Precious Moments chapel and museum. Another 1st for us; I've driven by the signs all my life and always wanted to see it!
It was so amazing!
Such a beautiful and childlike representation of heaven, painted by Samuel Butcher.
It was raining all day, but we did find the "tomb, cross, and angel" in the gardens.
Sunday afternoon we made covered pretzels.

Crocheting and tea Sunday afternoon.
Monday Brittany got to go to work with me! After work we got chai tea again.
October 25 - rainy afternoon coffee and city adventure with my coworker, Jentry.
That evening, dear Mary Ann had Ms. Dotti and me over for supper and the evening. 
Thanks for following along with me on my journey! The Lord bless you!