The Lost is Now Found - Stolen ORU Wood Finally Retraced.

The story of the Lost and the Redemption of the Found.

–The theft of the ORU wood becomes a central conflict, leading to a quest for its recovery. The wood's journey from being stolen and seemingly lost to being rediscovered and reclaimed forms the core of the story, adding layers of emotion, resilience, and hope to the reader.

*example photo

The ORU Wood Saga Begins

In July of 2022, as I embarked on one of my most ambitious projects, little did I know it would be abruptly halted by an unforeseen twist. The materials vital to my vision had vanished, stolen and seemingly concealed in a labyrinth of storage beyond my reach. It felt like I was blacklisted from completing my creation. What unfolded next would reveal a web of intrigue, leaving me grappling with the loss of not only my hard-earned savings but also with a unique wood, specially harvested from the hallowed grounds of the ORU campus.

This wood, a bespoke 4x8 ft, 3 inches thick masterpiece, was entrusted only to the most skilled artisans in Oklahoma State. Meticulously handled, vacuum kilned, and CNC flattened, it bore the hallmark of craftsmanship of the highest order. Its allure wasn't just in its physicality but also in the story it carried – harvested for gifting to the President and offered to alumni for purchase.

Here is a piece on the CNC; a masterpiece taking its shape.

A Desirable Rarity

Every woodworker approached for a bid seemed to sense the value of this wood. It wasn't merely an exchange of materials; it was an investment in quality, a canvas for artistic expression. I could almost visualize their eagerness – a drawl over my wood, with dollar signs gleaming in their eyes. This wood wasn’t just handled; it was curated with precision, no corners cut, making it an irresistible commodity.

The Desperate Quest for Answers

Asking authorities for assistance left me stranded, wrestling with a conundrum. The wood's worth surpassed the limits for small claims, law enforcement deemed my case outside their jurisdiction, and the suggestion to hire a lawyer felt like plunging into a legal labyrinth. My desire wasn’t a prolonged legal battle; it was a quest for the return of even a fraction of this prized wood, suspecting it was being covertly sold.

A Call from the Shadows

After many times praying to God to show me what to do, I felt to essentially ‘Give it to Him’ as a sign of surrender and trust that what will happen with this wood will be done by and unto God, not by my means. Eleven long months go by, no lead in sight—just when hope seemed to wane, a call pierced through the uncertainty. Out of the shadows emerged a clue, a glimmer of redemption. The narrative took an unexpected turn, promising a resolution to the mystery that had left me grappling in the dark. The person on the other end of the line was not involved in the wood missing but told me he may know the person who has been storing it.

The Second Call

This contact who called was a reliable and excellent person who entered the picture at the very beginning of my journey. He has seen my wood before and said ‘I cannot plead the 5th on this one. I will attempt to very carefully go about identifying the wood and let you know what I find out.’ A few more weeks go by, and again I begin to feel hope seeping out; just then I receive another call from him, but this time he had much better news. “Moriah, I have your wood in my yard. I got permission from the storage owner to retrieve your wood.” This phone call was something I could not believe when first hearing it: 11 months of wrestling within myself of which course to take simply by choosing to wait, trust, and hold onto hope felt like the only thing that possibly got my way back.

Next Steps

Now that the wood is primed and ready for finishing, my next course of action is to officially get ORU’s approval to CNC their logo on the bottom of each piece. Finishing the word consists of pouring colored or uncolored epoxy, and topping it with a lacquer finish that has a sudden texture, not too shiny and not too matte.

The plan is to finish all 25 pieces of the beautiful red pin oak kitchen table/dining table-sized pieces. My hope is to donate a portion of my proceeds to ORU and gift one to our president as a symbol of thank you in the month that I graduate in May 2024.

All 25 full sized beautiful slabs with a few additional cookie cuts.

I’m very excited to see the finished product, and below are some examples of how I would like the finished product to turn out; such beautiful red pin oak. Its natural finish has a subtle yet stunning copper and cherry tones, and I will have some available for co-creation and customization—where the client can come to the workshop and scheme their dream table.

Examples of the finished product that are showcased on my vision board, with some displaying a natural finish and others featuring a beautiful pop of color.

The Backstory—Where This Idea Came From

Many people ask me where this idea came from and how I pulled off getting my hands on wood that was grown in ORU soil. The story goes like this—in my sophomore year as an entrepreneur student at ORU, I found myself pulling up to the construction site asking for the man in charge. This site was at one of the exits on campus designated by the praying hands. I noticed two large trees that looked like they had almost just been pushed over by one of those hands, and I thought, “there’s no way someone would just discard those I better ask” when a few nervous phone calls later, I got connected, to say the least. They said I would be saving them a discarded fee, so the wood is mine if I can get a trailer on-site. Once I found a qualified Sawyer [link] in Guthrie OK, I begged my brother Jacob to come bring a trailer from OKC to come pick them up for me. He hesitated when I described how big they were… Nonetheless, he came through to help. Don't worry; I made sure to pay for his gas and buy him a little something to eat.

Here he is coming to my rescue and cleaning up the branches off the tree. 

This highlights the magnitude and significant presence of the trees next to the praying hands.

Where is the Wood Now

The wood is now milled, kiln-dried, and CNC flattened, awaiting its last step of epoxy on the Father-in-Law’s property in his shop. This, to me, has been one of the most exhilarating and fascinating experiences yet—building a network from scratch, learning an unfamiliar industry, and designing unforgettable significant pieces. I always say every phone call I take to build my woodworkers network, I earn a credit hour and so far, it is my favorite class;)

Conclusion--The Resurrection of the Lost Wood

From the depths of uncertainty and loss, the redemption of the wood has been a testament to resilience, faith, and the power of patient waiting. As the finishing touches await, the journey from the stolen to the found has evolved into a narrative of hope and restoration. The lost is truly now found, and its journey continues to unfold.

Questions to Reflect

1. "What part of this story resonated with you the most, and why?"
2. "Have you ever experienced a similar setback in a creative project? How did you overcome it?"
3. "Do you believe in the power of patience and hope in challenging situations? Why or why not?"
4. "As a reader, what emotions would you feel during the journey of losing and rediscovering the wood?"

Are you an ORU alum? 

–Here's why you should consider co-designing your own piece with me! 

Historical Significance: Beyond its physical attributes, the wood carries a story. It is harvested for gifting to the President of ORU and offered to alumni for purchase. This historical context adds value to the wood, making it more than just a raw material.

Desirability: Woodworkers approached for bids seem to recognize the unique value of this wood. Its desirability is not only in its physical properties but also in the narrative it carries. This makes it an attractive and sought-after material for artistic expression.

Connection to ORU: The wood's connection to Oral Roberts University is not only geographical but also symbolic. It is grown on the university's soil, emphasizing a direct link to the institution's ethos and legacy.

Contact me at (405) 888-6216 or Moriahgunn.ola@gmail.com 

Or read my other blogs below!