Greetings from the Lone Star State! Here are a few highlights of our trip so far – and really this is just a FEW – we have had so many that I’m beginning to wonder if we’ve actually rested, which was a main purpose for staying this long!

First, this sign from the inn where we stayed for my brother-in-law’s 40th birthday bash. Classic! No question that we have indeed left New England!
We had a great time celebrating Jeff’s 40th – 2 nights in the beautiful Inn Above Onion Creek. Our room had a fireplace that went from the living room through to the bathroom which had an enormous jacuzzi tub. A bubble bath in front of the fire! Wonderful! Here are Jeff, my sis and kids on their Dad’s present – a bright yellow Vespa!
This one’s out of order, but these are the 5 Mefford kids and the Krumreys in Edmond, OK. My friend Tamyra’s husband Brent has completed medical school and residency after 11 years and they are now back in Oklahoma! We had so much fun seeing their new house, eating the most AMAZING fajitas, and just catching up. One night was not enough!!!
On my birthday, a group of us went to a wonderful gluten free cafe in San Antonio – The Little Aussie Bakery and Cafe and then shopping at LaCantera. Another Texas distintive – shopping! Anything you could possibly imagine in a very small radius!
Fishing on a ranch in Hondo, Texas with Grammie and Paw Paw Krumrey. Only one fish was caught, but we had a blast paddle boating and just enjoying a beautiful day.
Hanging out with old students from our time at University Heights Baptist Church in Stillwater, OK. We gathered in the home of Aaron and Shemaiah Murphy in Tulsa, OK where all of these guys have moved for work, family, etc. And now we are feeling our age- these guys are all turning 30 and having babies!
What a treat to have all the Rowland siblings together! Stu flew in from California for a short 48 hours, and Melinda drove home from Abilene so that we could all spend the weekend together.
We spent our Saturday together by hiking Enchanted Rock in Fredericksburg, Texas. This is old stomping ground for Uncle Stu, so he took the nieces and nephews through a cave and met us back on the trail later. It was a gorgeous day, though a bit chilly at 37 degrees! Yes, there is natural beauty AND winter in Texas!
This week we had dinner with the Meyers – Robert’s sister Karen and her family. The cousins had a great time together, and we enjoyed meeting some of their friends from church.
And finally, what a treat to hang out with our friend Bob Campbell and his wife Joanne. Bob has made a miraculous recovery from a stroke – and the biggest brain bleed the doctors had ever seen. It happened after giving the offertory prayer at church on August 19th. He spends from 10am-3pm each day in various rehab therapies. We’ve been privileged to have lunch with him twice at the hospital when he has a break. He’s blessed us with his talk of how the Lord has spared his life, and how he will be able to serve Him in the future. And we’ve cracked up at his descriptions of the rehab hospital he was in before with many references to diapers and drooling! The Hook ‘Em Horns sign is one way we’ve all known he’s the same Bob!

So long for another week or so. The countdown begins for a return to normal life and blogging!