When I left for Bartlesville/our Colorado trip on March 12, I had NO idea that I wouldn’t be back in Norman for weeks. At the time, the effects of COVID-19 were just beginning to spiral out of control, and that Thursday was when everything started shutting down. I think we can agree that none of us really knew what to expect at the time – I definitely did not think that life and society as we knew it would shut down in a matter of days. We made our quick 36 hour trip out to Salida before hustling back, and before we knew it, I was basically moved in to the Russell’s home in Bartlesville for quarantine.

I know once this has all passed and we’ve moved on with life, I will look back so fondly of the memories and ease of everything in this current season. My future in-laws, Steve, Jana, and Matt are troopers for letting me hang around for the last month! I’m thankful that I’ve been able to call this place home for the time being, that I get to experience somewhat of a normal relationship in the same town with Jonathan, and that I am not alone in Norman without any human interaction. They keep me laughing and well-fed and I am SO GRATEFUL for this quality time with them. I cannot wait to be a Russell!

The chances are that life will never look like this again. I’m trying to balance the sorrow I feel for those effected by this virus, with the Hope we have in Christ. My heart is heavy for so many of you, and yet I’m inspired at the same time by the creativity born of this and the way our communities are rallying together to support one another. At the end of it, I hope more people understand this truth: without experiencing and knowing the destruction of Satan and evil, we cannot understand our true need for Christ and the ultimate and overwhelming goodness and glory of our Father.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” – John 10:10

Jonathan and I drove around town last weekend so that I could capture some of what Bartlesville is to me right now. There is a lot of OKWU in here (Oklahoma Wesleyan University, where we took photos after our engagement!), and a few little nooks and gems from downtown that I hope to utilize as shoot locations in the future. If you’re from the area – what spots do I need to explore more? Also including a handful of “life lately” photos from both pre-coronavirus life and our recent happenings (Colorado trip, a weekend visit at the lake, parking lot workouts, Ree Drummond’s pancakes, and my favorite morning walks with Em!)

Hang in there, friends!

The texture on this building is so cool – I am dying to get a senior in front of it! SO many fun details at OKWU 24 hours total in the ’99 Yukon with these two goobs. These were kind of intense, but they were worth the effort! Lemon blueberry pancakes from one of Ree Drummond’s books! Anyone else doing truck pushes in the high school parking lot? Nope? Just us? Pull-ups on the dock….