Muskogee

The beginning of this month (July) marked EIGHT years that I have been a resident of Muskogee. And I'm just feeling a tad nostalgic as I reflect back over the past eight years in Oklahoma, a state I never would have dreamed I would live in. Never. God is funny like that sometimes, taking us places that are outside of our "radar", to the unexpected places, and blessing us beyond anything we could have imagined.  This town, oh this town, Muskogee, I have grown to love and claim as my own.
So here's a brief list of reasons I am grateful for Muskogee:
1. A faith family like I have never known. Men who threw a "tool shower" for Nathan, who have invested in him relationally and spiritually, who ask him how he's really doing, meet up with him for breakfast to talk about the heart issues (and sports too). People that love to serve, that love to give, that love to worship our Lord together each week. Our church family is incredible. We are flawed people, that mess up, but there is so much love and grace in that little building out on north York St. The genuine love that we have experienced as this church has watched us grow up the past 8+ years (12 for Nathan since he came to MCC as an 18yr old intern who just finished his freshman year in college) has been beyond words.  A beautiful faith body!
2. Small town is nice because here there is all that you need (and really more than you need) but everything is so spread-out, there is never any real traffic. We've got 2 movie theaters, several grocery stores, many banks, a mall, every chain fast food restaurant your little heart could ever want, and some good local eats too (food is important, let's face it, it matters). But the pace of life is nice. It's not hurried. (unless you chose to live your life that way)

3. Cost of living is so so so manageable.  like cheap. Our house payment, water/electricity, gas, food, the big stuff, it's not bad at all.  Granted, I married a man who rocks at budgeting and saving. And we have a God who meets all our needs and then some.  But it doesn't hurt to live in a place where this slow pace of life and lower cost of living meet.
4. Somewhere in the middle of america.  Ok, so we're pretttty far from our family on the East Coast (PA and TN), but if we want to go to Little Rock, Dallas, or heck, Colorado, then we aren't too far from it.  Or Kansas City, St. Louis, and of course Tulsa is just 50 minutes west of us if we need some sushi, Thai, Indian food, or other food that is not buffet, pizza or bbq.  But it's nice to be able to jump in the car and take a day trip to another city to visit friends or get away for a weekend. Even if it is Tulsa for our 6 year anniversary.

5. Horses live down the street from us, and now chickens and goats too.  Driving into our neighborhood we pass other horses and several cows as well.  We take walks in the evenings down to say hi to the horses and feed them some grass (and an occasional apple or carrot). We have several friends that have chickens and supply us with fresh eggs, free range, organic, and all that healthy-ness. We visit Alan and Cosetta's Red Bird Farm to learn about canning and how to live beautifully, she passes along some fresh produce and tons of really useful tips on how to make the most out of what we have. Nathan and I recently took a day's selah rest at their "cottage", which was so peaceful and needed. Derek and Trish have cows and now a donkey, Star, which was the inspiration for Isaac's 3rd birthday party theme. 4H is big here and we have enjoyed seeing Taylor show her sheep several times, cheering her on! (below: Isaac's Donkey Party)

 6. Farmer's Market Wednesday and Saturday, Livesay Farm for peaches in June and Pumpkins in October, buying local, supporting local farms and farmers, and enjoying fresh produce that you know is good. Other than that, growing our own garden for the past 5 years now.  Because so many people around here garden, we have had the best teachers.  And it's been fun to share in such a useful hobby with others.

 7.(elaborating on #2) Local eats like Harmony House, Erly Rush, The Bite, Mahylon's, El Charro, Taco Morena (for some cow tongue tacos). Below is Isaac and his friend at Erly Rush Coffee House.

8. Wide Open Spaces. Big skies all around. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets. People say "if you don't like the weather, just wait a few minutes" which I've found to be true. We get all kinds of dry spells and storms and heat waves and cold fronts, sometimes all in the same day.  I'm super grateful that this summer has been FAIRLY mild.  Totally manageable!  The fact that I went for a walk in the evening multiple times last week while my mom was here was amazing, she does not care for heat or sweat too much.

9. Soul Food Cook-Off, Azalea Festival, Chilli Cook-Off, Symphony in the Park,  The Muskogee Castle (haunted in October, inflatables at Christmas, Ren Fest in May, fireworks in July, and available for weddings if you're into that kinda scene year-round), Honor Heights Garden of Lights at Christmas time. Fun annual events that we have made into traditions in our family, some more so than others.  Soul Food Cook-Off being our favorite as we celebrate MLK and enjoy some great food.

10. The people.  What has kept us here more than anything, the people. The Halls, The Bowles, The Greers, The Whittikers, The Vanderveers, The Wallingfords, The Lanes, Michael and Kacie next door, the youth group, Ms. Sheila at Wal-mart, Ms. Shannon at the Library, the grumpy somewhat anti-social guys at the Recycling Center, the always smiling and joyful owner at China Express, Janice at Anna's Coffee Cup, Joy at Green Country, Paul at Paul's Diner, Greg at Economy Pharmacy, Fayrene or Chloe or VeraJean or any of the precious older people at MCC each Sunday, and on and on I could go.  The people, acquaintances and dear spiritual friends, have been key in making the past 8 years incredibly beautiful and special, in all it's daily ways.
I am grateful as I look back and excited as I look forward to what God has for the next 8years, and 8 years after that. To God alone be the glory, in Muskogee and all over the world!