Author: dianegclark

Great to have my cousin Sue visit from Seattle this week, her first time in Manhappiness. We ate ( Taphouse, Chef Cafe, Chipotle, Bluestem) shopped, walked, talked, hiked, and spent time with family. We went to Aggieville, campus, downtown, the Konza, and North Newton (and all the hot spots there: Prairy Market, Mainstreet and Company, Mojo’s, the park, and Leah’s). Jon came by and we spent time with Mom then took a trip to Aberdeen to see Dad and Jean and Dave and Lisa. An event filled few days. Great to catch up with my long lost cousin.

What a great weekend with our friends and Midwest Meets Manhattan. Chad and Bobbye joined us this weekend to spend time together, collaborate next steps, hear the new songs, and do a quick livingroom concert for our fans. Dave and Mel are using their home for Airbnb so everyone stayed here at the Clark home.

Friday night we went out to eat at Tallgrass Taphouse. We enjoyed blackberry cider boys, great food, and the KState pep band. When we returned to the house, Chad played the newest songs and let me tell you, they are amazing! Chad is reading the book and finding inspiration for songs. We are creating a concept album based on the book and the cause of helping those caught up in sex trafficking. God is revealing His plans to us and we cannot be more excited.

Saturday morning was coffee and bagels and fellowship as the group readied for the KState game. And what a great game for those who attended beating OU! After the game was naps, preparations and fun getting ready for the livingroom concert.

Saturday night we were joined by some of our fans including the infamous Sophie of the book (name changed). We had a blast singing our songs, some covers, a few worship songs and sharing next steps. We taped it so stay tuned to hear more!xAfter the concert, we sat with Lonnon and Kayla and Sam and Rick, around the fire pit, sharing, drinking, eating s’mores, and laughing. What a special time together.

Sunday morning business meeting, more fellowship and coffee and plans made.

The new songs are amazing. One we think will be called, “The Fall”, is a story of hitting the rock bottom of addiction, based on the jail chapter of the book.

The book is completed and ready to move forward. Next steps are to finish writing the lyrics to a song that has a super exciting tune already written, redo “Be Still” in the studio, and record “The Fall” and “Life Happens”. We will combine those songs with the songs already recorded that also fit with the book and create a concept album. As we build the following for Midwest Meets Manhattan and the album, we will be able to move forward with approaching literary agents to get the book published.

At the same time, we will be starting a YouTube channel (and podcast? Twitch channel?) led by Dave that offers healing, help and hope to listeners and followers. This is Dave (and our) call to reach the 90% out in the world with the hope of Christ. As the followers are already out there ready and waiting, we can use this outlet to promote both the book and the music moving forward.

I have been blessed to spend time lately with my dear friend Heather and her newborn girl Taylor. Heather is a new mom home alone all day with her little punkin. Taylor is snuggly and so cute but her little digestive system makes her hard to settle. In swoops Grandma Diane. I love being available to hang out and get to hold this cuddly baby. Today we made a Target run and napped together.

Lately I’ve been winning

Battles left and right

But even winners can get

Wounded in the fight

People say that I’m amazing

Strong beyond my years

But they don’t see inside of me

I’m hiding all the tears

They don’t know that

I go running home when I fall down

They don’t know Who picks me

Up when no one is around

I drop my sword and cry for just a while

‘Cause deep inside this armor

The warrior is a child

Unafraid because His armor is the best

But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest

People say that I’m amazing

Never face retreat

But they don’t see the enemies

That lay me at His feet

They don’t know that I go

Running home when I fall down

They don’t know Who picks me

Up when no one is around

I drop my sword and cry for just a while

‘Cause deep inside this armor

The warrior is a child

They don’t know that I go

Running home when I fall down

They don’t know Who picks me

Up when no one is around

I drop my sword and look up for a smile

‘Cause deep inside this armor

Deep inside this armor

Deep inside this armor

The Warrior is a Child

….Not original, an old song apparently

Added color to the tattoo today. Love it!

Today was relaxing. Took our time getting around this morning then went to get massages. I walked around while Hilary was getting massaged then I went. It was very relaxing.

I wanted to get a basketball sleeve to wear in the sun to protect my new tattoo so we went to a bike shop and found a colorful one. We looked at the camelback’s for me and they were too expensive then we found a child’s one, pink, of course in another shop. I got some tiny gifts for the fam along the way, yesterday and today.

We also found and took pics of the police car we saw here earlier because we joked that the painting on the side is Moab Camoflauge.

Then we put our swim gear on and went back to the hike with the water hole and this time got all the way in. We also hiked up over the top of it and looked down.

Topped off the evening with Mexican food with the most delicious mole sauce on the side. And walked home. Packing up and the adventure comes to an end.

I’ve had a wonderful time and got to know Hilary more making her a lifetime friend.

I slept until 9 this morning then got ready and headed to a great open air breakfast spot in Moab called Jailhouse Cafe.

We then drove up to Arches National Park and did some short walks to look at some amazing arches and rock formations.

Then we drove and met up with a group and a Ranger and went on the Fiery Furnace hike. I can’t even describe the beauty, majesty and challenge of this hike. Mostly, it was fun and beautiful and difficult. There were parts where we had to slide, or step far or climb or scramble, but at one point, my brain said, “No, you aren’t doing that.” It took two people to coax and help me across and then the full panic attack hit with tears. But I made it!

We survived the Fiery Furnace Hike! (And enjoyed it).

After a nap, we decided to do a short hike nearby Hilary’s house. It involved hiking in the creek some and walking through vegetation. It was beautiful and amazing and I enjoyed every minute of it. A friend had texted just before so he sat on his couch in Manhattan eating chips while joining us on the whole hike by FaceTime.

At the end of the hike in was a waterfall into a wading pool.

After the hike, we went into town and shopped looking at unique clothing stores and novelty shops.

Then we ate at Pasta Zach’s. Yum. We then came back to the condo, ate brownie ala modes and watched an episode of Longmire.

Bedtime. Big day tomorrow!

Only a half day in to day one of the adventure and I gotta blog. This place is truly amazing. Hilary is the hostess with the mostest. We have had TWO amazing talks so far! I am so glad I came.

We got up and took our time getting ready. I had a good extended quiet time with a giant cup of coffee in the cool air on the back patio this morning then had eggs with Hilary and got ready for our hike.

We drove down through the canyon I came through yesterday and hiked in for about half an hour to Corona Arch, not in the National park. The hike involved some climbing that I had to mentally tackle but I did it.

It was so worth it.

Then we drove a little further to bow tie arch and took some pics.

Then we saw some dinosaur tracks preserved in the rock.

Then we crossed a footbridge over the Colorado river and saw some cool art.

A nap, a snack, and a blog post and we will go do some more cool stuff.