in the midst

friday afternoon, kianna safely lands on this land of dull red dirt.

immediately begins the catching up and laughter.

there is a bridal shower in the evening so we go.

saturday morning we meet up for coffee with a couple girls. we weave among downtown shops. spontaneously we hatch the idea to squash Shepherd of the Hills into our evening plans. so when we get home from coffee, we do stuff for sunday lunch than we attempt naps and then we head to branson for the evening. what a spectacular show. back when i was 15 i saw it, but this time i got way more out of it. we got a lot of jollies out of this evening. we arrive home rather late...

sunday morning we get up at a decent hour because we had promised to help with lunch. there is church. and then for lunch ms shar, ms lora, ms anna marie, and tiff come for lunch to mr. dannys. i love that kianna got to see why i love my ranch people so. we crash out in naps. then in the evening is song service. afterwards at mr todds is youth deal around the fire. back at home, talking is more priority than sleep.

monday we spend all day at the ranch. we participate in horsemanship in the morning. in the afternoon is school and kianna just sits in. it was the most chill school day we've ever had. which is fun sometimes:) we do chores with the girls. back to mr dannys for supper. and then vball in the evening in honor of kianna. this evening also holds another generous amount of jollies. back at the house, once again sleep is not taken seriously...

and then its 3 am and we blearily hit the road for tulsa, for kianna's flight leaves at 6am from there.

even at this dark hour as we stooze down the empty highway, topics like offense and life mysteries are discussed. a docile rain is landing on the windshield. a hot cup of coffee is home in the hand.

we truly laughed all weekend long. it was oxygen for the heart.

we didn't really sleep this weekend. by monday night we both were so sleep deprived, things were a tad wonky.

kianna got to meet the gentry people. and when your people meet your people, its one of life's loveliest things.

she's a 'point-out-the-joy-moments' type of friend.

...and now we hug bye... for who knows how long... because a mission term in kenya is coming up next for kianna.

>>>

homestay is complete. its good to be back in the routine of ranch life again.

planning for the next canoe trip has begun.

early friday morning, tiff and i hit the road for cartwright. there's a wedding there. it will be a brisk lil road trip. i am so enthused to squish the nephew and nieces. i am so enthused to sit at that kitchen table again and eat ma's granola and drink pa's coffee while my hound snores on her mat by the door.

life is so full. i wiggle hangers in wet dresses and let my mind wonder how life can be this full... how life generously gives room for ache and goodness to coexist... and the more open you are to the hard stuff, the more connection there is. and joy settles in.

in the midst

of the hurly-burly,

i stumble across these words

and my wandering heart breathes

in the reminder to slow down ...