Monday, January 5, Oklahoma City and Arkansas

We planned on getting an early start so that we can go to the Oklahoma City Memorial. This is a memorial to those killed in the Alfred P. Murrah federal government building that was bombed on April 19, 1995. I remember when this happened and was really sad about it, but not nearly as sad as I was to see it in person.

It was very cold outside as we crossed the street, about 22 degrees. As soon as we entered the building, I knew it was going to be an emotional visit. It was a self guided tour and so we got to do it on our own. The first part of the tour showed that April 19, 1995 started just as any other day, then we entered a room that showed the events and devastation. Without going into too much detail, Laura and I spent 3 very emotional hours at the site. As I walked from room to room, I cried and cried. My head and heart hurt so much. How does one move on from such loss and devastation? How can a mother bury her children? What do the children do after mom or dad are gone? These are the things that weighed heavily on my heart.

After the inside tour, we walked the grounds and looked around. I thought I had composed myself, but as I walked around the Field of Empty Chairs, I realized there was more. Here, 168 chairs represent those who were killed. I started crying again at the site where two little chairs with teddy bears were...because those were for Aaron and Elijah Coverdale, 2 little boys who were at the daycare center on the 2nd floor.


Across the Reflecting Pool

Survivor's Tree, an American Elm that was in the heart of the blast zone, but survived.
The Gates of Time that mark the times that changed Oklahoma City forever.

We walked out of there in silence.....nothing more needs to be said. If you can, go and visit in person and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. If you can't go, visit the website at http://www.oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org/index.php. Nothing more can be said about this day. It was so worth it to go to the memorial but be prepared to be emotionally changed.

OK, OK...we did get a bunch of laughs when we went over a lake called Lake Lotawatah! No lie! Look it up in the encyclopedia!


We drove through the Ozarks.

Our final destination for the day was supposed to be either Memphis or Nashville. However, we hit a lot of ice and rain, so when it got dark and the roads started to get slippery, we stopped at the first place we could...and it happened to be Lonoke, Arkansas. God was definitely watching over us because we got the last double bed in the motel! The rest of the night, we spent looking outside at all the iced-over trees and frozen-over windows!
Ice on the wires told us we had to stop for the night!


Ice on the trees forced us to stop, too!