The OK Adventures of Peppersloth and Annie

                Welp, here we are! I am officially seven months into this adventure. I made it more than half of a year! It truly is crazy how fast the time has gone by.

                Life-During the month of December, I was able to travel back to Ohio to celebrate Christmas with my family. It was a wonderful time of relaxing. I spent many hours by the fire, holding my new nephew. He is a sweet, happy 3 (almost 4) month old! He is my favorite Kyddo! My other nieces and nephew are all growing in height, weight, and personality! But one thing that never changes is the argument over who Monu REALLY belongs to…she belongs to me, in case you wondered. I also got to visit with my cousin, who gave me a new coat of purple and a trim! But the biggest, and best, surprise was having my best friend from high school home!! Brittany lives in Kosovo and is a missionary teacher. Yes, I am VERY jealous! But it was awesome to reconnect over almost 20 years of friendship. Spending time with her and hearing her stories makes me very thankful for my current situation. The US, and Oklahoma in particular, may not get EVERYTHING right. But, in the great perspective, we are a VERY blessed people.

                Work-In my last update, I was working two jobs-the library and the school. Due to circumstances far beyond my control, managing the two became impossible. So, it was with a very sad heart that I left my job at the library right before Christmas. I truly had wanted to be able to maintain both jobs simultaneously, but it just wasn’t possible. I really like sleep! I really like having the time to study for my upcoming test! And there was just no way to do that while working that extra twenty hours a week. Since quitting, life has become slightly more manageable. It is still very busy, and very exhausting. But 100% worth it! If you didn’t read my last blog, my students are amazing, little monsters. I think I called them turkeys last blog, but their behavior this last week warrants the word monsters!

                Church-I am still attending Church of the Acts in South Oklahoma City. It’s been a great place to see what REAL community missionary work looks like. These people have found a place that offers them hope like they’ve never seen, and it’s beautiful. I think my favorite part is the time of the service when Communion is offered. The kids come down the aisle and get the elements. Then they go and find their families. It is such a beautiful thing to see these families huddle up close, praying together, and taking the elements together. It gives me a sense of hope as well.

                2021-NEW YEAR, NEW ME!! Well, not really. But I have been continuing to work on healthy habits. I am VERY loosely following Whole30. It’s been a good change. I do not treat it like a diet, it’s a lifestyle. I have always like vegetables anyway, so adding more has not been difficult. What has been weird is eating so much protein. I’m making chicken chili without beans this weekend, and I’m VERY excited! I also started counseling! Do you want to know why more people don’t go to counseling? Because, even with benefits, it’s expensive! Good Lord! But, worth it. I’m fully aware that it’s something I need in my life. I was working on my exercising, but there are days when I come home and only have the energy to study and eat. But it’s okay! My job is incredibly physically demanding, so I really do not feel that I am missing out.

                All in all, I have no complaints. All in all, things are MORE than OK! I’m happy, healthy, and OK!