Little bit of heaven--Table Rock Lake in the fall!

Each day it seems we turn to one another and say "Isn't this just the greatest?" We are the ONLY camper on our side of the campground (that would be the boat dock side as opposed to the swimming beach side--when we started camping here there was ONLY the boat dock site...the other area opened up years later and we have never been able to try it out--we just gravitate right back to the same old place!) Its been cool at nights...sometimes downright cold...some lovely days..and delightful rainy days as well. Last weekend it was a joy to share the days with Mike & Karen Price and kids Meredith and Spencer. These friends are much more than that - they are a vital part of our entire family.

It all started when Mike came to Missouri Valley College as a freshman in the early 70's and showed up on our doorstep to introduce himself. From then on, he was part of our family--lived with us off and on during his college days, took care of our daughters on many an occasion, and the relationship has continued on for many years. Jerry and Carla were both a part of their wedding in Dallas...while they lived in Oklahoma City, they became a part of my parents' life...and 18 years ago this past week, Jerry was with them at the hospital in OC when Meredith was born. And Spencer is a true OU fan, which endears him to me! Their travels have put them in the homes of both of our daughters over the past few years...God is so good to put folks like that into our lives, isn't He?

Today we travel to Pella IA with Carla to honor another of our close friends - Hutch Bearce, who was killed last summer in Michigan near their summer home. Bearces were a part of our lives when we became back-door neighbors in Marshall MO. This photo of Hutch and Carla was taken a year ago at Apple Butter Days in Marshall - a tradition that we all began about 35 years ago. Hutch was very gifted - and his contributions to higher education are enormous--let alone his contributions to our life! Hutch & Gretchen left an ad for a used pop-up camper taped to our front door one day - which we bought and enjoyed for over ten years. Along with the Garretts, we traveled together to the British Isles-- hiking Hadrian's Wall, staying in B&Bs, poking Hutch & Jerry to stay awake during Evensong at Wesminster Abbey on our arrival evening--many many precious memories! Hutch's last visit with one of our family was last year, when he and Gretchen visited in Jo & Scott's home in San Antonio while they were attending the Dean's Conference there. We look forward to sharing these two days with his family and lots of friends who will gather to laugh and cry together, and give thanks to God for the gift of Hutch's life. Please remember Gretchen, David and Kate in your prayers.

We return to Cape Fair on Monday--the trees (which may not be as vibrant as they could be due to the drought) are still glorious to us, whose fall usually consists of mesquites that don't turn! We will enjoy a drive into northern Arkansas on Tuesday, to spend a day with Wichita friends (Harriet & Fred vanBebber). Pat arrives from Enid on Wednesday to camp with us, and we will do Silver Dollar City all day Thursday. The Worleys from St. Louis will join us on Friday - Jerry is looking forward to taking the children fishing and sharing Cape Fair with them -- provided the weather cooperates. Right now the old weather man is calling for rain next weekend (as well as this weekend here), but we can always hope he is wrong.

I hope you are enjoying the fall as much as we are!

Love, Mary & Jerry

Weekend in TEXAS!

Friday, Oct. 6th Jerry and I are standing on the beach at Horseshoe Bay on Lake LBJ, where tomorrow Jerry will be officiating at the wedding of a young lady who grew up in our church in Midland (Jessica Marshall). Jessica is being married to her boyfriend of eight years, Nang, on this site--a beautiful setting and a wonderful weather day. Occasions like this surely have to be one of the greatest blessings of ministry--to share in the lives of folks so intimately that on the occasion of their wedding, they ask you to be a part. We are so grateful to be here! Nang and Jessica included Jo and Scott with us at the rehearsal dinner at her parent's new home on the lake last night--an evening with a full moon reflecting off the lake, and the joy of sharing the meal with the Marshalls to catch up on their life. Jo and Scott have joined us at the lakehouse of our friends, Glenn & Louan Rogers, on Lake LBJ - we have had a couple of days of visiting, walking, eating - and sitting on the back porch looking at the spectacular view. In fact, yesterday morning began with breakfast on the porch and the coffee and conversation went on so long that it became lunch time! We will have breakfast together at the Bluebonnet Cafe in Marble Falls (an institution around here) and then part company. We are heading back to Monett MO, where we left our RV in the Garrett's driveway (Mike and Phyllis Garrett's claim to fame is now their grandsons, Eli and Silas, whom you met in prior blogs.) On Tuesday we will head towards Cape Fair on Table Rock Lake for an extended stay - we have no cell service there, and certainly no internet access, so there is no telling when we can write another blog! PS - Sunday - a glorious wedding..what a radiant bride in her wedding dress with barefeet, being brought from her parent's lake house to the beach in their boat driven by her Dad! All the wedding party had leis brought from Hawaii, and that even included ME! I felt so special! The pastor (who did not go barefooted as all the rest of the wedding party) wore a long lei of green leaves. Blessings and hugs to all of you.