Twenty-four years ago, Jerry flew to Madison WI to officiate at the marriage of his college classmate/fraternity brother, Don and his wife Ann. This past weekend it was our joy to spend an evening in their home, catching up on our lives, getting acquainted with their daughter Elise who just graduated from college and is moving to Chicago with AmeriCorp, and bringing up a lot of memories. One of Jerry's favorite memories is this: the day of the wedding, Don told Jerry he was going to the airport to pick up his best man, Milton and his wife, and then would pick up Jerry to go to the house for the ceremony. When Don pulled up, a man was in the front seat, and Jerry climbed into the back seat by a delightful petite lady whom Jerry thought looked familiar..and Don made the introductions of Milton and Joyce to Jerry. And it was Dr. Joyce Brothers...a real treat for Jerry to make their acquaintance. Milton is also the person who taught Jerry the "thumb trick" and gave him the thumb--some of you have seen Jerry pull his thumb apart for the children over the years!
Fast forward 24 years - and we are back in Madison to participate in the wedding of Matt, who is the grandson of Gordon. Gordon, his wife Julie, and Jerry were all college classmates as Missouri Valley College (along with the aforementioned Don). In 1972, both our families moved back to Marshall MO for our various professions and shared life together. In fact, the mother of the groom (Gordon's daughter) used to babysit for our girls. The parents of the groom live in our area and are frequent visitors at our church. It was a great reunion!
Its so nice to cross paths with folks who hold an important place in our lives and just pick up as if all those years had not passed by. Once again, I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God. In addition, Jerry and I made a new friend in Don's daughter, who is now my friend on Facebook--what a treat for me!
Our youngest daughter, Carla, who is the Director of Christian Education at Pine Ridge Presbyterian Church, Kansas City MO, is on her three month sabbatical journey. She is traveling by car renewing many friendships, visiting places that have been important in her life, and seeing new sights. Her visits range from Graceland in Memphis (seen in the pictures) to just having completed a few days working (again) in Katrina Relief in New Orleans, accompanied by one of her Red Cross friends from earlier trips there to spending time on Hilton Head (mostly because of its most famous name!) with my cousin-in-law's sister whom she has never met but have welcomed her to stay with them...to revisiting churches she served in Virginia, up the east coast, seeing persons who have been important in her life from elementary and high school friends to seminary, ministry and Red Cross buddies. If you would like to read about her travels, there is a link on my blog which says "Carla's blog" - click there and you can see where she has been and what she has been doing, as she delights in the opportunity to travel, visit, read, relax, and reflect.
And please support her with your prayers!
