Happy Birthday, Oklahoma
November 15th, 2007 | by Scott |100 years ago tomorrow my home state of Oklahoma will be celebrating the centennial of its admission into the US of A.
Festivities galore. It’s a state holiday. No school. Fireworks. Fried foods. Woody Guthrie’s body exhumed and put on display.
Now, I’m no native but I have a wealth of experience living in the Sooner state to place this in proper perspective. Well, not really. I’ve just lived here three weeks. But that is apropos given the fact that Oklahoma is a relative pup itself when it comes to statehood. We haven’t even gotten the quarter yet. That has to wait till early next year.
It’s interesting to be here in many ways. When I first began searching for a new ministry I thought there was no way that I would send a resume to anywhere in Oklahoma. My experience with the state was limited to three events: Driving through the state when I lived in New Mexico, the 1978 Orange Bowl, and marrying a native Oklahoman.
But, I did send a resume to a church in Oklahoma. One resume. That was it. And here is where I landed. And I couldn’t be happier. So far, it has turned out to be a perfect fit for us.
–We had trained to do church planting and we ended up at a new church start-up.
–We longed to minister among young families and we are at a place full of them.
–We were insistent upon a place that was not hamstrung by tradition and legalism and we have found a group of open-minded, Christ-focused people. One night after a phone interview with another congregation where I was grilled for 10 minutes on my position on women’s roles we drove to Ponca City and were given a wonderful counter-point.
–We longed for friends and have found so many.
I never thought I would say this, but I am proud to live in Oklahoma 
And I’m even more excited to live in Ponca City and serve such wonderful people.
And the great experiences abound:
–Tremendous Barbecue
–A great Mexican dining experience
–Apparently, the best steak house in Oklahoma.
–Friendly people
–Beautiful parks and rich history
–Top notch schools
–A well-run library
Home. This is home.
Happy Birthday, Oklahoma. Here’s to another 100. Don’t take offense that we will be in Texas tomorrow.
9 Responses to “Happy Birthday, Oklahoma”
By Phil Wilson on Nov 15, 2007 | Reply
1) I’m very happy that you’ve found a great home there.
2) Wouldn’t today also be the 100th anniversary of the US government finally and completely screwing over the Native Americans out of the lands they had lived on?
By Scott on Nov 15, 2007 | Reply
Phil, thanks for the well-wishes.
And yeah, I would guess you are right. I meant to mention in my post that several of the tribes here are protesting the festivities in OKC tomorrow.
By Shane on Nov 15, 2007 | Reply
Still thrilled about the new job. Glad someone can be happy to live in Oklahoma; although it does remind me of an old joke.
Do you know why Oklahoma’s motto is “Oklahoma, OK!”
Oklahomans couldn’t spell mediocre.
By jasonk on Nov 16, 2007 | Reply
Scott, I’m glad you’re enjoying it here. We like it.
Too bad you’re in Texas today. I’m just a skip away today (Friday) in Bartlesville. One of these days I’m going to take you to lunch.
As for the schools being closed, I had heard some were, but Lisa went to work today, and all my kids that are still in school got up and headed in like usual today. I had heard that banks would be closed today, but I’m at work anyway. So much for Sooner pride :>)
The best news for you is that in Oklahoma, we consider Arkansas to be one of our state schools. The NE Oklahoma news reports on Razorback games, they are considered a part of what they call “the big four,” Oklahoma, OSU, Tulsa, and Arkansas. Nolan Richardson made his name at Tulsa before taking Arkansas to a national championship. Yes, we like the Razorbacks here, and we are rooting for them to help us out against LSU. Please God, let Arkansas beat LSU. In Jesus name, Amen.
By LukeD on Nov 16, 2007 | Reply
Scott,
Sorry this is off-topic, but I figured you’d like to know…
Multiple news sources here are reporting that Nutt will not be back in 2008. Whether or not he is being fired, is resigning, or has another job has not been released, but it has been confirmed that he won’t be back (apparently he will finish out the season).
If that doesn’t make your weekend a good one…
By Scott on Nov 16, 2007 | Reply
Shane, I had always heard this:
“Why is Oklahoma so windy.”
“Because Kansas is full of hot air and Texas sucks.”
Either is fine, I don’t have a dog in this hunt.
By Scott on Nov 16, 2007 | Reply
Jason, I’m waiting for you to head to Ponca City. Even though we went with a different bank
And hopefully we can get you a victory over LSU. I’ll put in a word.
Luke, great news. I just hope that the name “Butch Davis” or some other retread doesn’t start surfacing now.
By R-Liz on Nov 17, 2007 | Reply
I am THRILLED the Lord is blessing you so abundantly, and confirming this step in your lives so obviously.
(I am curious, however– now that you’re no longer a tortured writer, will your blogging insights continue to be as profound?)
By Scott on Nov 19, 2007 | Reply
Ruthie, many would argue that I wasn’t especially profound before. But, not to worry, I find myself easily tortured