A near accident on way home; Davidic artifacts

 We went to early service at Josh's church as we needed to get left early for home.  Josh happened to be on keys that morning.

His church is starting a new series in Colossians.  Which is interesting because my Bible study also is starting a study in the same book!  It is such a great book of the Bible!  Filled with treasures - I could in no way pick out a favorite verse.  If I were good at memorizing, I'd memorize the whole thing!

Josh put together the intro video to the book that precedes the sermon.  At Christmas, he had filmed our granddaughter, Hannah as the voiceover to this short clip.

We said our byes to Josh after church and instead of going straight home to Kansas, we took a detour to Edmond, OK to go see some archeological sites from the Davidic period of the Bible.

At Tulsa, we took 44 toward Oklahoma City.

Flags were at half-staff to honour the former President Jimmy Carter upon his death.

Oh, goodness.  Hopefully the people got out ok!

We had a near miss with a semi and the concrete barrier on the left.  The semi which was in the right lane suddenly came upon a vehicle that was traveling at a very slow speed.  It did have it's blinkers on, but at his speed, should have really been driving on the shoulder.  Either the semi would run those people over or try to squeeze in before us.  Well, the semi very suddenly pulled in our lane at the same time we were in the process of passing him!  Al slammed on the brakes while I screamed!  We had inches to spare as we were sandwiched between the concrete and semi. I think our guardian angels but have sucked in their breath!  Our hearts pumped fast for some time!  Whew!!  Thank You, Lord!  

Oklahoma red dirt

We followed Maps to this place, which was out in the country a bit.

3000 year old fabric.

The sun was setting by the time we got home.  Our streets are still ice-covered.  I don't believe our streets have been frozen this long in our 20 years we have lived at our home.  This week it is supposed to possibly reach high 40s, maybe 50s.  It should melt!

We are so grateful to the LORD for the safety in our travels this week!

A few days in Arkansas, part 2

 Reggie was all dressed for the day when we went over in the morning.

Josh used us as models for a video clip he's doing for church.

Emeri made some bread.

Nothing like oven fresh bread!

Here is the recipe for the bread.

Emeri writes "This is the base recipe I use but the bread you ate was 1/2 whole wheat flour and just rosemary and sea salt and olive oil to top i've also made it before with sundried tomatoes and minced garlic on top with sun dried tomato oil and it was really good like that too."

Staci gave haircuts.

Al was pretty wooly!

Emeri left to go to a friend's home to get ready for the homecoming dance.  Josh and Al helped Eli put on a tie.

He looks snazzy!  The way he's eating (yesterday's post), he won't be able to fit into that suit next year!

We took Eli to the location where they were taking pictures. See those girls covered with blankets?  It was COLD!  Below freezing - "feels like" 15 degrees!

I do not know how these girls could pose like that!

I would have needed a coat, gloves and scarf!

It's sooooo cold!!

Emeri and her friends went to Uptown Kitchen to eat; Eli went to Olive Garden.  

And we went to Nara Ramen.

It was delicious and so filling!  A taste of "home" for me.  We went back to Josh's and chatted and enjoyed the dogs.  I grew up being so terrified of dogs but my granddogs have helped me overcome most of that fear!

I had brought a bin of Josh's drawings, cards, baby book, etc.  I don't know why I was storing it all this time.  We started going through it and had a good laugh!

He used to want to be a designer of tennis shoes.  That bin was full of drawings!

What a hoot!  

A few days in Arkansas, part 1

We drove down to Arkansas to see our son and his family last weekend.  We had planned to drive our car down, but when I drove home from Awana the night before, a low tire light came up.  We didn't have time to check it out, so we took the truck.  (Later, we found a screw stuck in the tire.  Surely we would have had a flat tire on the way.  So grateful that the light came on to warn us.  Thank You, Lord!)

We hit Northwest Arkansas at rush hour.  We had to chuckle at the title on the truck door.  I don't believe "swift" was the correct word, as we were crawling along.

We stopped at Josh's and along with him, Staci and her parents, we went to watch our grandson play basketball in a small town about 20 minutes southeast of Fayetteville.  

This little town had a super fancy basketball court!  Cushy seats, flashy lights, loud music.  Not like normal small town USA courts.

Eli did really good.  They played well and lost by only a couple of points.

Eli has grown a lot lately.  When he was young, it was hard to get him to eat.  

But now, he eats tons!  The night before, around 11, Josh heard him in the kitchen making lots of noise as he fixed himself a double cheeseburger!  He also fixed himself another one for breakfast.  He ate 2 suppers before the ballgame and on the way home from the game, he asked if we could stop at Braum's and he ate more!!

We stayed at the "Prier Hotel" (Staci's parents' house, next door to Josh's).  A 5 star "hotel"!  They are so gracious to give us a place to stay.

The following day, we were going to watch Emeri at her swim meet, but she hadn't felt good and did not sleep well, so she stayed home.  Sad not to see her compete, but she just was not up for it.

Eli went to play practice for "Fiddler on the Roof".  He will play the Rabbi.  Emeri is also in the play but she napped.  We'll have to return to Arkansas for that! 

Eli also went to basketball practice.  These teens live busy lives!

My friend's mother had passed away.  I have never watched a funeral via zoom, but that is just what I did!  I was sad to miss the funeral as I have known my friend since 1987 and knew her mother also.  I am grateful for technology to be a part of the service.  

Josh and Allen "yeshiva-ed" - discussed Biblical passages and "mysteries".  Digging deep.  One of the passages they discussed was Job 39:9.  It was so interesting!

Like his dad, Josh uses his hands to explain things.

Emeri had ordered several pair of deep red shoes for homecoming and they arrived at the door.  No need to go store to store any more.  She can shop on-online. 

I asked her to model them with her dress on.

She also put on the trench coat we got her for Christmas.

After a nap, Emeri felt better and made a Greek soup for us.

After dinner, we played a game...I should say the rest of them did.

It was too complicated for me.  Emeri said I could be on her team, but really I just enjoyed watching.  I did not contribute any words of wisdom.  Emeri won!