Category Archives: Family and Friends

Pictures and stories of our dear family and friends

From the plane to the party

No –  really.
Gary picked me up from the airport after my trip north, and we drove right to the 2024 SOWER Florida Rally/Reunion. He’d already moved Lizzie to the reunion site (Groveland, FL – west of Orlando) and the party was well underway by the time we arrived. In fact, we arrived just in time for the group picture!
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While what we both really wanted was a nap (I’d been up since 4:30 am to catch that 6:30 am flight home), we decided instead to give the cornhole tournament a try.
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We lost the first game, but (surprisingly) won the next two, and somehow became the first-place winners of the losers. Who knew there was such a thing? Our prize was being one of the first couples through the dinner line! Whooohoo!
The reunion party did not disappoint! We loved catching up with some of our old  dear SOWER friends, and we also loved meeting some brand-new couples! Two couples hadn’t even been on their first project!! I love to see the excitement as these new folks are beginning a journey that has meant so much to us!

We were inspired to “Stay Strong in Today’s World”,
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and enjoyed a musical evening with Dane Bailey,  the Singing Auctioneer,
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(who then did a grand job the next day being an actual auctioneer!).
We also enjoyed several meals together – all excellent, and all lots of fun!
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Someone just couldn’t resist!
We did manage to sneak in a much-needed nap, but it was just a quick power nap because we didn’t want to miss the wonderful fellowship with friends old and new that these SOWER Reunions afford.   We’re so thankful for the team that put all of this wonderfulness together! And for all the love that was in the air the whole time!

Almost caught up!
Steph

Better get started

on getting caught up before another week gets away from me! So I’ll start with my trip to PA, two weekends ago!

The reason for my trip north was to attend the funeral of my dear friend Connie. That day was special beyond words.  Reconnecting with old friends who also loved Connie, hugging and weeping with her beautiful daughters, remembering and reflecting on what a Godly, gracious, and very fun friend she was – well, those moments were priceless. I’m so very thankful I was able to be there. Too much hugging for pictures – they are all just beautiful memories.

But to make that part of the weekend work, I needed to solicit the help of my sister and her daughter, Abby.   (Airport pick-ups and drop-offs, accommodations, driving me about – you know, that kind of stuff!)
Such a fun way to start the visit – here’s Joie with three of her grands-
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and Fitz with the littlest one.
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It was a lovely start to the weekend!
Once we made it to Joie’s we got to work sorting through our Mom’s hope chest and a variety of other family history items.
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Look at this cute little family!
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Awww…
At the bottom of that trunk was this doll –
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dressed in a replica of my mother’s dress from her 1947 wedding.
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How very special! But what to do with it?? The doll was in some disrepair – the head showed some previous repair work and was no longer attached (but the eyes still worked!) and the legs and arms were quite cracked.
We’re hoping to put the dress along with a photo or two into a shadow box and maybe someone from the next generation will be interested in it. But right now we’re looking for a home for the doll. The one doll hospital I contacted said they already had plenty of these dolls (apparently she’s an early ‘Patsy Effanbee” doll). So we’re still on the lookout for someone to care for her! (Let me know in the comments if you’re interested or know someone who might be!)
It was a wonderful weekend! Another set of Joie’s kids came by on Sunday, and then on Monday we were on our way back towards Abby’s for my early Tuesday return to Tampa. Being able to sneak in some unexpected sister time this winter was a huge blessing.
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Thanks for stopping by – and for your patience with my erratic blogging these days.  Have a blessed Sabbath!
Steph

Sabbath Rest – I love to tell the story

It was just a week ago that I was privileged to attend the funeral service for my dear friend, Connie Breyer.  The service was filled with scripture and hymns and tears and most of all, love. Both of her daughters shared many wonderful stories about their precious mother, all of them grounded in her deep love for them but overarched by her steadfast love for her Savior, Jesus.  One of their most cherished memories was how she would sing them this hymn before bed each night.  I found this version of just a single voice singing this hymn, and while I’m pretty sure Connie didn’t sing all six verses, I can certainly imagine her tucking in her girls to the sweet refrain –

I love to tell the story;

’twill be my theme in glory
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.

Connie, you will be forever missed. But as your daughter shared – “Losing you was the worst day in my life.  But it was the BEST day of yours!” We can only imagine what a day that was for you!

 

I love to tell the story
of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory,
of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story
because I know it’s true;
it satisfies my longings
as nothing else can do.

Refrain:
I love to tell the story;
’twill be my theme in glory
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.

I love to tell the story,
for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting
to hear it like the rest.
And when in scenes of glory
I sing the new, new song,
’twill be the old, old story
that I have loved so long. [Refrain]

An angel brought glad tidings:
“Send all your fears away,
for Christ, your Lord and Savior,
is born for you this day.”
Then many other angels
sang praise for Jesus’ birth:
“To God on high be glory,
and peace to all the earth.” [Refrain]

Christ Jesus, pure and holy,
without a spot or stain,
by wicked hands was taken,
was crucified and slain!
And now the word is finished,
the sinner’s debt is paid,
because on Christ the Righteous
the sin of all was laid. [Refrain]

O wonderful redemption!
The price for sin is paid,
salvation is accomplished,
my heart is unafraid,
for God has raised Christ Jesus
to show the work was done;
his glorious resurrection
declared the vict’ry won! [Refrain]

The Savior of all people
has brought his peace to you;
now go and tell the story,
for others need it too.
To ev’ry land and nation
ring out the gospel call;
proclaim that Christ is risen
and grants his peace to all. [Refrain]

Source: Christian Worship: Hymnal #746

My sweet Valentine

I’m rerunning a post about Gary from way back in 2010 because he is still this guy. My guy.
April 28th, 2010 – Gary
Before I continue with more “pictures of rocks”, I need to share a little something about Gary.
He turns 60 today.  [He’ll be 74 in April]
Many of you know Gary – you know what a hard worker he is, what a good job he did taking care of his family, and I’m sure you know how much he has loved these last five-plus [19 plus!] years that we have been on the road. But maybe you don’t know this about Gary.
He has become an expert at waiting.
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At Death Valley while I find just the right spot for that perfect picture.
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In Sedona as I climbed up to the cathedral view. (Don’t know why the hood is up!)
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At one of the small lakes in Prescott, AZ – as I checked out the shoreline.
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All bundled up waiting for the bus that wasn’t going to get us to the Grand Canyon rim for the sunrise.
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Or passing the time while I wait for the sun to set.
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Maybe he’s waiting for me to finish exploring some Hopi ruins.
It’s true that sometimes he walks on ahead, knowing that I’ll catch up once I figure out how to get that pretty flower into the picture.
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I don’t have any pictures of him waiting for me at various quilt shops around this big country, but he’s done it time and time again.
And always with a smile.
I think it has something to do with those verses in 1 Corinthians –

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Happy birthday Valentine’s Day, dear husband of mine. Thanks for waiting for me, and watching out for me, and putting up with my horrible sense of direction (along with just a couple of other idiosyncrasies), and for loving me even when I’m less than lovable. I’m so thankful you’re my Valentine!

Mondays are for Memories – Connie

One of my birthday buddies, Connie Breyer, met Jesus face-to-face last week. And oh, what a greeting she must’ve gotten! For those of us still on this side of eternity, though, the parting has been hard. I haven’t been a part of Connie’s everyday life for many, many years, but still, I consider her one of my closest and dearest friends. We didn’t speak often, but we always knew we were there for each other. Because I knew she was a faithful reader of this blog, I would often think of her as I figured out what I should write about. Several years ago (2018), I wrote the following little summary of our friendship. But as I read it now, I realize what we had was much, much more precious than what I was able to convey here. But it’s a start.

Long, long ago, in (what seems like) a galaxy far, far away a young bride [me] met with a ‘more experienced’ bride [Connie] once a week for lunch. And encouragement. And prayer.
Time passed, babies came, and schedules changed. But the friendship and encouragement and prayers never ended. Our little twosome grew to include others as we changed from being young brides to being young moms.
Friends moved, babies grew, and life happened. Things changed.
But through it all, three of us somehow, by hook or by crook, managed to continue to meet once a year to celebrate our November birthdays. We’d often meet at church on a Sunday in November, enjoy lunch, catch up with each other, and end the day in prayer. It was a very precious day for me, as I would often go the whole year without being in contact with them. But that thread of friendship never broke. Never even frayed!
Since we’ve been on the road, we three birthday buddies haven’t always been able to connect during November. But whenever we can work it out, we work it out!!

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birthdaybuddies Connie Bonnie BonnieConnieand me

I didn’t make it back to Hometown this past summer, so being able to connect with these precious Birthday Buddies, these Sisters in Christ was especially sweet this past October.
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I’m so thankful for these friends from that galaxy far, far away!
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So Thankful for US!

What a blessing both Bonnie and Connie have been to me over the years!  As Bonnie and I talked this past week after she shared this sad news with me, our tears were mingled with such sweet remembrances of times we had spent with Connie, and how much she meant to us (and most everyone else who knew her!).  I am so thankful that this past summer we were able to get together for worship and then lunch!
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Me, Bonnie, and Connie (surprisingly color coordinated!)
We had the husbands along (sometimes that just happens!), so we didn’t get to spend hours catching up, but it was still the sweetest of visits.

My heart aches for her family, especially her beautiful daughters and her beloved grandchildren.  And for the many people whose lives were brightened by this triumphant daughter of the King.  Our grief is real and hard. But I am praying that they (and I!) will continue to rest in the knowledge of the glorious life that Connie is now enjoying.
“…That you [we] may not grieve as those who have no hope.” (I Thessalonians 4:13)

I can only imagine, dearest Connie, what your new life is like. We miss you here – and always will! But oh what joy you must be experiencing!

Your friend, the young bride,
Steph