dual personalities

Daughter #1 is coming home for the long weekend, and for a moment last night I thought, “Oh, another trip to the airport!” And then I thought, “No! She’s driving home!” Yippee!

Earlier in the week daughter #2 got the online file of the pictures of her wedding from her photographer. She is plowing through them. What a job! It all seems like a long time ago, you know?

The wee babes were so much smaller!

Two months later, little Lottiebelle seems so grown up!

But will her daddy ever catch up on his sleep? Maybe he’ll get a chance this weekend! Of course, he’ll be chasing this little guy around…

In other news, today the Episcopal church remembers David Pendleton Oakerhater (also known as O-kuh-ha-tuh and Making Medicine), who was a Deacon and Missionary, on their calendar of lesser feasts and fasts. Oakerhater was an honored Cheyenne warrior who fought in the Indian Wars of the late nineteenth century.

While a prisoner of war in St. Augustine, Florida, he was converted to Christ. After being released, he was baptized, taking the name David Pendleton in honor of his sponsors Sen. and Mrs. George Pendleton, and studied for holy orders in the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York.

(Side note: Senator Pendleton was the one who pushed a bill through Congress to found  the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania.)  In 1881 Oakerhater was ordained deacon and returned to his tribe in the Indian Territory, accompanied by his mentor, the Rev. John Wicks. Oakerhater addressed his former comrades-in-arms, “…You remember when I led you out to war I went first and what I told you was true. Now, I have been away to the East and I have learned about another captain, the Lord Jesus Christ, and He is my Leader. He goes first, and all He tells me is true. I come back to my people to tell you to go with me now on this new road, into a war that makes peace…”

Wicks retired in 1884 because of ill health, but Oakerhater continued, winning hundreds to Christ. His people called him “God”s Warrior” and “Peace Chief.” He established the Whirlwind School near Fay, Oklahoma, a landmark in the education of the Cheyenne. For nearly half a century David Pendleton Oakerhater was a tower of strength and a symbol of the new faith to his Native American brethren. He died in 1931.

O God of unsearchable wisdom and mercy, you chose a captive warrior, David Oakerhater, to be your servant, and sent him to be a missionary to his own people, and to execute the office of deacon among them: Liberate us, who commemorate him today, from bondage to self, and empower us for service to you and to the neighbors you have given us; through Jesus Christ, the captain of our salvation; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

You can read portions of the BCP in Cheyenne here.

Have a great long weekend!