Back on Campus!

We made it up to the Norman campus this weekend on a spur of the moment trip, sponsored by our favorite sponsors... Melissa and Daren Wilson! They offered us 4 tickets to the game (at a rip off price*, but that's okay!!) I was down at the 'race for the cure' in Dallas when Steve called me at 10:30 am proposing the idea of a last minute trip to Norman. I asked what time the game started and found out it was 2:30. I told him if he could get everything ready, I'd be home by 11:30 and maybe we could make it before the end of the 1st qtr?
Well, we booked it up there, parked, and heard the kickoff as we were walking across campus corner... (Man, has OU changed???!!!) I haven't been on campus in 5 years, on another sponsored trip from the Wilson's back when she was prego with Nathan! I was sad I didn't get a chance to stroll around campus or visit the Tri-Delt house, but it felt good to be there!
I'm including some pics of our little "cheerleaders", and of course the line-up of the Wilson's and Whiddon's.... Colin, age 6; Madison, age 5; Nathan, age 4; Macie, age 3; Seth, age 1; and baby Whiddon (not pictured) age 15 weeks in utero! How's that for some prolific families?!!!!
We got to spend a tiny little bit of time with both sets of my parents, which made the weekend doubly worth it! Thanks guys! Kayla

* rip-off price = FREE!!!

first blog ever!

Okay, here I go!... my first blog ever! I was inspired by my friend Roz, who blogs about everything and also runs our church fellowship group's blog.... it sounds kind of mean to say she blogs about everything, doesn't it... like I'm saying "blabs" about everything...

anyway, today has been the best day for me in a long time (not that every day is not a blessed day!) but today, my husband Steve came home after being in S. Africa for 10 days. I had very little to no contact with him during those 10 days and was really left to imagine what kind of experiences he was having on his mission trip. I was praying constantly that he would experience God in the way I did on my mission trip and that he would be able to understand clearly the reason he was called to action on mission and do or say what God asked him to do. It was a trying 10 days for me, but really a wonderful time for me to realize fully how in love I am with my husband, and how my heart aches for him when he is gone. I hope that is not too personal for you guys!!!! My prayers were certainly answered, as Steve came home today, just fired up for Christ and these new brothers and sisters (young though they were!) He spent several days loving on two groups of children... some 7th graders, and some 3-5 year olds. The pics are precious! He said the way those children listen and behave is amazing, and we realized it is because going to school is a huge privilege for these children, they can't afford to goof off in school! On the last day as they were teaching the verse from Romans 6:23, "for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord"... 8 7th graders accepted Christ for the first time, and when asked about their decision, they stated in clear terms their understanding that living their life their own way lead only to death, but that Christ delivered them into eternity! Steve said it was one of the most powerful things he has ever witnessed, and I am so amazed by my husband and his continual growth! That is why I started by saying this is one of the best days I've had in a long time!

The pics in order are of... 1) Steve with some of the "little sparklers", 2) The children receiving some hand made blankies some of the Mckinney women made, 3) Mbasa, wearing Steve's hat... he said he didn't think she would ever give it back!, 4) some of the 7th grade girls, 5) a few of the children trying on some of the shirts we made for them at Macie's birthday party... thanks everyone!, 6) a close up giraffe Steve got to see on safari, 7) Steve and some of those precious girls!

Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a joy-filled day, even when the world is beating down your door with all this financial crisis and politics!