21

​Happy 21st Birthday Austin!

Normally, people ring in the 21st bday with a legal drink but I got a wild hair that David and I should walk 21 miles in honor of Austin.  It was planned the day before, thus no training done for it.  We let our community group and a few other friends know about it, and they joined in along the way.  Others prayed and laughed at us and hoped we’d finish.  Also, this was a safe way to see friends along the way in the middle of COVID.  The Lord gave a us a beautiful day, and we walked up and down the Katie Trail, across the M-streets, Lakewood, and around White Rock Lake.  We passed all the places we have lived in our marriage of almost 24years at this point. Anita St., Winton St. and back to Broken Bow Rd. Thank you to friends who walked with us and brought us water and food and ultimately a lovely dinner that night! We are grateful for the many friends and family who remember Austin with us and grieve still with us. We are constantly reminded of the love and care God has shown us through our friends and how His love sustains us.  Charlie and Sam were both in school and face-timed throughout the day.  We got uglier as the day went along.  David wanted to lay on the ground in the last 3miles, and my knee wanted to lock up, so I couldn’t stop. David and I make a good team and God has given us a persevering spirit.  We won’t say we don’t wish we could simply take Austin to dinner with his buddies and celebrate.  We do not forget Austin ever, but today, we moved forward- 21miles!  (BTW-this actually is the furthest I have gone in a day.) 
 
Austin had a stinkin’ positive attitude and such a good encourager of us all! I want to keep his spirit alive and doing crazy things sometimes to remember Austin. 
 
We love you Austin! Happy 21 years- I think God shared some of His best wine with him.