A Trip Down Memory Lane to Oklahoma

For the past few months, I keep thinking that I need to write an update post on this little space. I love having a personal blog that chronicles fun trips and everyday life. 

To take a trip down memory lane, this blog began back in 2010, right after Ben and I got married, and were attending the Kanakuk Institute. It's where we announced our move to Fayetteville, AR and settled into our first apartment together. This blog has always been a carefree space, that I have used to share about our lives. In a sense, this space is my "online scrapbook" of our favorite trips, holidays, and crafting adventures. 

My content changed a bit after announcing that we were expecting, especially with all the maternity posts, and then when we welcomed Ruby Kay into our family. I also wrote monthly letters to Ruby Kay here (and still need to finished months 11 and 12!). I loved writing about my first quilt, and our dream vacation to the Bahamas. Ever so often, I would write about things I was learning and experiencing that were close to my heart. 

With our newest chapter of life opening up, I think it's important to change gears a little bit. I hinted at the change over a year ago, but now it is official. Ben and I are now on staff with Cru (Campus Crusade), and will be serving at Oklahoma State University! We are so excited to be on campus, working with college students, and encouraging them to grow and reproduce their faith in the Lord. Even though we both grew up in Christian families, we both were impacted by having mentors in college that modeled their faith in the Lord so well. Because of our love for the Lord, and our burden to spread the gospel of Christ- we are following the Lord's calling to work with college students!

Right now, we are in the process of building our team of partners and will be moving to Stillwater, Oklahoma, once our team is complete. Until then, we will still be in Fayetteville calling the hogs, and travelling to meet with people to share about our ministry. We are so thankful for the support of our friends and family as we have stepped out in faith!

Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” Matthew 28: 18-20

Labor Day in the Arkansas Outdoors

For Labor Day this year, we drove up to a waterfall in Bella Vista with some of our friends. We made the rookie move of forgetting our daughter's swimsuit, swim diaper, and water shoes. Despite the mistake, we had a great time and enjoyed splashing in the waterfall. We love our friends so much and are so thankful for friends who have kids with similar ages to Ruby Kay. It is so refreshing to be around people who understand the ups and downs of parenting and being go-with-the-flow when it comes to life.

It has been so fun to see our little girl become an adventurer. The older she gets, the more curious she becomes. It is such a cool thing to be able to see her grow up, and we are so proud of our sweet girl. Next year she will probably be jumping off the waterfalls!

Ruby Kay and her doll, Lola.

One of Ruby Kay's first birthday presents was her very own baby doll. Her name is Lola. I researched different Baby Doll brands for a while, and finally decided on the Corolle brand. I love how classic and sweet they are.

RK and Lola are still getting to know each other, and it is so fun to see my little baby pretend to be a mama to her baby. So far Ruby Kay likes to cuddle and kiss her baby. The other day I asked RK to give her baby a high five, and she gave Lola a high five in the face!