Arkansas, Missouri, Oooooklahoma (where the wind comes sweeping down the plains)

Hello from Oklahoma City! I am sorry that I didn't get to update you for the past couple of days.  I tried yesterday morning (from Branson, MO) but internet was being spotty.  Let me fill you in.  After Memphis I drove through what seems to be the entire state of Arkansas to Golden, MO where I stayed for two nights at KAA (u know!), a camp that I worked at for 2 summers.  This is a christian athletics camp for inner city youth (three "KAA"s for different ages).  I worked at KAA 3 with the oldest campers aged 16 to 18.  I've learned so much about servant leadership, loving others beyond their similarities to you, and patiently just "being there" for kids even when they don't seem to like you at all.

        It was wonderful being back for a full day to volunteer.  I was working with the komos, girls who help the cooks out in the kitchen.  My first summer I was a komo and it was interesting to remember all of the different procedures and tasks the komos cover.  They work so hard and it's dirty work.  One of my friends, Bri, and I cleaned out pots leftover from cooking ribs.  Let's just say that there was still a lot of red liquid in the pan that needed to be dumped and scrubbed.
         If you don't know anything about this area of Missouri it is not like St. Louis.  It's in the Ozark Mountains and it can be quite beautiful out in the country.  There are lots of rolling hills and cows but in a distinctly middle-of-the-country-way, not a central Virginia way.  Here's an example:

Camp, as always, was tiring but fulfilling and I left Golden yesterday for Branson, MO (some would describe this town as the "Country Las Vegas") where I waited to pick up my Aunt Diane from the Branson Airport.  I went to the Branson Mal(l) which features stores such as Wal-Mart and Subway and picked up a few things for the trip.  Then I went to Panera for wi-fi and coffee.  Making trips to these places in Branson was distinctly more fun when I went with people from camp but it was nice to be semi-familiar with the place.  The drive to Branson Airport was very pretty as the road there winds through several golf resorts (something my dad would have appreciated). I picked Diane up successfully and we made it to OK City in time for dinner.
     OK City is unlike any other that I've been to so far.  I can't describe it very well except to say that it's probably a lot like some texan cities?  I haven't been through much as Diane and I didn't feel much like exploring once we reached the hotel.  In fact, after a drink at the bar, we walked to dinner not even a block away to Charleston's, a nicer American place.  There we both had the Mahi Mahi with fresh steamed vegetables, side ceasar, and key lime pie.  It was all delicious and I'm still full this morning!  The sunset coming out of the restaurant was incredible and the perfect precursor to a long bath and an early bedtime.  Now we are fully rested and off to Albuquerque, NM!