Family Reunion - Sunday afternoon

After church we ate at the brunch buffet at the Starlite.  Again, the food was great and the fellowship was even better.

Jonathan, Joe, and Marvin

Priscilla, Liz, and Jane

Jane and Mitch

Jackson and Jane

Jonathan, Kerry, Joel, Marvin, Joe

Laura and Candace

Joe had told Marvin that he had a poem he wanted to recite for him.  It was written by Joe's grandfather (who would have been Daddy's uncle) and was entitled 'Just a Horse'.  We loved it!!  So glad Joe shared that with us!!

Joe reciting the poem 'Just a Horse' to Marvin

Maddox, Jake, and Vanessa

:)  Jonathan getting loving hugs from his cousins!!  :D

Sunday afternoon, those of us who were staying one more night went back to the hotel and crashed for awhile!  After a few hours of resting up, we went to see Uncle Charles in the hospital.  Daddy and Mama had been there a few times before, but this was our first time to see him.  He looked good and was in great spirits.  It was wonderful to see him and we had a nice visit.  He seemed especially happy to see Marvin, which made my heart smile.  Uncle Charles has always been so kind and loving toward Marvin.  I will never forget Uncle Charles offering to stand in as his best man at our wedding when it appeared that our best man might get caught in an ice storm and not make it in time.  (Bob did make it, but we won't forget Uncle Charles's kindness.)

In the hospital waiting area.  

We left the hospital and went to have supper at Perkins.  As we were finishing up our meal, Candace called.  We thought she would give us an update on their travel down to St. Louis that day but instead she informed us that Craig & Mary had been in a plane crash!  Their one engine plane went down in a treeline near Corydon, Iowa as they were leaving a fly-in.  There have been so many miracles in this story and at some point, we will be able to share them all in glorious detail.  What a story of God's grace!  One of the first miracles was that Kerry and Candace had stopped at Cheryl and Mike's house (Candace & Craig's sister) en route to St. Louis and were there together when the call first came about the crash.  Kerry & Candace turned around and returned to Des Moines where Craig & Mary had been admitted.  Craig was in intensive care for a week, but has now been moved to a room in the Neuro ward.  He has a very long and arduous recovery ahead of him, but he (and we) are praising God for the grace that He has shown throughout this entire event.  Hallelujah!

You can see an entire album of photos by clicking this link.

Family Reunion - Family Church

I always look forward to family church during our family reunions.  It is one of the most precious times.  We sing hymns, read scripture, share praises and prayer requests, and worship together as a family.  What a blessing.  I am so thankful for the legacy of faith and love in my family.

Addie holding Maddox

Maddox and his Grandma Wanda

Ilene, Joel, and Addie

3 generations - Liam, Chris, and Ilene
(we should have gotten Vanessa in here for 4 generations!)

Chris and Charles III

Jackson, Joe, and Julie

Jonathan and Marvin

Jackson and Brianna

Once again we followed the order of service from Dunblane Cathedral in Dunblane Scotland.  The two hymns we sang were wonderful - but the second one, 'The Summons - Will You Come and Follow Me' was exceptionally beautiful!  We ended our worship time with a prayer from Uncle Ernest, who passed away in March.  We played a recording of his benediction prayer from family church in June 2012.  It was perfect in every way and so meaningful to hear his voice and prayer again. (You can see/hear Ernest's prayer at this link - starting at 10:40.)

Joel reading Genesis 24

Brianna sang 'It Is Well'

Liz reading John 4:1-14

Jackson and Joe

Susanna, Rachel, Hannah, and Candace sang
'For the Beauty of the Earth'

Joe recited a poem for the family - written by Minnie Garland Wood
(grandmother and great grandmother to many of us)

After Joe recited the poem, many were in tears.  Jane, Paul, and Donna especially remember Carolyn reciting that same poem often.  It is a family treasure and we are so thankful that Joe has revived it.

You can see an entire album of photos by clicking this link.

And here is a video with some snippets of the family church service.  I hope to have the full church service edited and uploaded within the next few weeks.

Family Reunion - Wedding Reception

Immediately after the wedding we headed over to the Starlite for the reception.  They served us a yummy meal and had music and dancing all evening long.  It was a lot of fun and everyone enjoyed themselves.  Great way to celebrate Mike and Anne.

Daddy and Mitch

Susanna, Jonathan, Jackson, Brianna, Marvin 

Shannon, Stephanie, Donna

Joe and Paul

Tina and Charlie

bride and groom arriving at reception

Love the firetruck and ambulance cookies.  :)
(Mike is a firefighter, Anne is a paramedic)

Mitch and Jan dancing at the reception

:)

Candace and Kerry 

Rachel, Marvin, Jonathan, Brianna, Jackson, Hannah 

Marvin, Laura, Kerry 

Lots of dancing took place!!

Cole and Noah doing the Whip/Nay Nay (with Liam looking on)

Priscilla and Tina

Jane and Charlie

Marvin and Hannah dancing!

Hannah, Brianna, Candace, and Julie dancing

Hannah and Brianna

Laura, Marvin, and Jonathan

Rachel, Hannah, Candace, Jackson, Brianna, Julie

Margaux, Jonathan, Kerry 

Marvin is out there again!  :)

Margaux, Hannah, Rachel, Brianna

Jackson, Marvin, Jonathan 

Mike (and his buddy) came in dressed in
fire fighting gear to toss Anne's garter.  :)

Anne getting ready to toss her bouquet

It went straight to Hannah!!

Jackson, Margaux, Rachel, Hannah, Brianna

Candace, Hannah, and Julie - all pretty in turquoise blue

It was still light out when we left and the sky was stunning!  Decided to take a few photos in the parking lot.  :)

I sure love these two!  Celebrating their own 2 year wedding anniversary July 18, 2017.  We are blessed!

Jackson and Brianna

You can see an entire album of photos by clicking this link.

And here is a video with snippets from the evening...