Benefits of Friendship (Daily Bread)

Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh God my Father~ I could hardly contain myself when I read my daily reading for Feb 14. We had just left my dear friend Nancy's home and I had called Renee (she had left me a voice message). Both women are in distress over family sickness. The Scripture is one of my fave passages our of Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. Two is better than one. It even tells us that if you fall down, the other one will help him up. Gee, how true this is. I've been picked up many times. And it is my calling to pick others up. Not just my calling. All people are claim the name of Christ. Cicero of the Roman empire wrote," Friendship improves happiness and abates misery, by doubling our joy and dividing our grief. I could think of nothing else to add to this other than I have been truly BLESSED with many friends who care about me and my circumstances. Jesus cared

enough for me to die on a cross. Can I not follow His example and care for others.

Our time in Florida

Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh God my Father~We started out with a sweet visit with my old friend and classmate, Nancy(Cornwell) and Harold Clark. Coach Clark taught at our high school after we graduated. They have a lovely home in Tampa and it is very close to their son Darrin and his wife Karen, and their daughters Megan and Katie. We soon planned a visit to Anna Maria for them, and enjoyed a day of eating and sightseeing about the island. We ate at a place called "Rotten Ralph's". Good food, name doesn't count! Also visited with my first cousin on my dad's side, Virginia (Conner) and David Porter, who have a place in Haines City, FL. We enjoyed the day with them showing us around their park and ate apple pie before leaving. p.s. I requested the pie!! Then one day we went to Ocochoobee, Fl. to visit Mike's old railroad buddy, Dwight and his wife Weezie. Theirs is a place alot like David and Virginia's. Such nice people. Some not so good news was our pastor's son Daniel breaking his arm and having surgery (He is at Pensacola Florida Christian College). Plus another railroad buddy, Gene Barnes had heart surgery, then Gene's brother Buddy Barnes passed away after a short bout with cancer. We also keep close track of our friends at home and how they are; a very special young man having some heart rhythm problems, another friend suffering a heart attack and having 2 stents put in, and doing ok, Thank you Jesus! Our prayer list is huge; maybe that's why we are down here, just to pray for others.

We have met some super people while we've spent our month in sunny Florida. The ladies at Minnie's Resturant have been very special to us. They have told us where to go to see manatees and other sights, such as the DeSoto Museum in Clearwater.

Our special times have been on Sunday mornings at CrossPointe Fellowship, (southern Bapt) where Pastor Moss has preached the Word so very clear, esp. on forgiveness and bitterness. Things I need to work on, and how to do that. Thank, Pastor. Our host Juri Bettino, has been great. But we are very excited about next years spot, the Brideport, which is sooooo nice. We also hope to see my dear cousin Mary and my old Logan friend, Jeanine next year.

God has been good. He has seen the kids thru this time without any big bumps in the road. I miss them all. Even the doggies. But this time with my husband has been a blessing for both of us. Get this: WE WATCHED THE SAME TV THE ENTIRE VACATION! (We never do this at home. And wouldn't have had to here; just wanted to. Ain't that sweet!

We have many places yet to see, saving them for next year. Cafes to eat in, (if we can not turn iin to Minnies). So, let's load up the Tahoe and head into the frigid north of Illinois. Home is gonna look mighty good to both of us.

December pics

Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh God my Father~

Thinking of my grandson at Christmastime

Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh God my Father~

Our star, Paige Elizabeth~

Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh God my Father~

Paige and the homeschool play

Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh God my Father~I am just beaming with pride that my Paige did so well in the homeschool play, "The Princess and the Pea". So well done. The Powell girls were in it, as was the McCurdy kids, Wright kids, Sandusky kids, and Maddie Cooper. Anna McCurdy played the princess and she was lovely. Her brother Andrew played a mean prince, and as nice a guy as he is, I began to believe he was mean!! That's good acting. Will Sandusky really knows how to give a royal bow. I was impressed. The costumes were awesome. Paige played a woodsy gypsy. She and Brookelynn got to dance. Lydia McCurdy played two roles. Pulled them off beautifully. I saw Carol Alexander, the Blankenships, and Stelzers came. Aunt Shawn brought her 2 older grandsons. Manda and Livie were there. Of course, parents and grandparents were in attendance. I may have missed someone, but hope not. Aunt Jamie brought her camera. Thanks Jamie, and to Steph for watching Reese while we enjoyed the play. Grandma Pat came to support Paige. Thanks Pat for loving my girls. Just saying.......love you Paige~

Academy award winner, Paige

Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh God my Father~

Thanksgiving 2011 part 2

Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh God my Father~Because I am old!!!! I clicked on the incorrect button and got the post too soon. I am NOT done praising the Lord for His goodness to me. In Psalm 33 it says "Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous, for it is fitting to praise Him." My righteousness is as filthy rags, but Jesus' death made me righteous in Him. I have a wonderful family. As I have said before, my cousins are all so special to me, as I am an only child. When Mother died in May 09, I felt like an orphan. I was in my 60's. I know that sounds weird, when I know friends and family who lost their parents at a very young age. I have many friends at the hospital and at church, plus our dear friends Jack and Linda who have always been there for us. God has been so good. He has seen us thru the grief of Sully (still is) and makes Heaven sweeter~ Thankful for His Word which feeds me daily, and my prayer list which I hover over each morning. I am truly thankful for my dear husband and the two daughters we have, plus my very special son-in-law, James. He is a keeper!! And then there are the girls :) Peyton, Paige, and Reese. We praise You, O Lord, and praise will be continually on our lips. Happy Thanksgiving to all. And a special greeting to my friend Nancy in Florida.

Thanksgiving 2011

Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh God my Father~ I just spoke with a dear friend to wish her a Happy Thanksgiving. She said she would be checking my blog for what I had to say. First of all. I do thank the Lord Jesus Christ for dying for my sins, and saving my soul from the wrath of hell. I have a place waiting for me in Heaven with my parents, in-laws, sister Ann, cousins Nancy and Terry, and my beloved Sully.

My mother-in-law

Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh God my Father~ I am thankful for a godly mother-in-law. Mine passed away 35 years ago tomorrow after a short but terrible battle with bone cancer. She was a brave, non-complaining woman. Bruce, her husband, (my father-in-law) took her back and forth to Champaign for several days in a row for radiation. That was before we had anything like that in Danville. She took mild pain medicine (no one really knew how to cover cancer pain back then). I loved her very much. She welcomed me into the family without question. She had 7 children. Ann was the oldest (she passed in 1993), Mike, my husband was the next, two years younger, then 2 years again and here came Robin. Then Pat, then John, then Katy and then Kelly who was born when Mike was in Germany in the army. Ann was born in 1942 and Kelly in 1966. Big old spread, but Ann and Kelly were close. We all loved each other. And had a great time together. My father-in-law passed right after Katy got married. He died in California at his brother Bill's house. Sad days for us. But, we are the REESE FAMILY. And we are ONE>

Happy Birthday, Reese

Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh God my Father~ Last night was Reese's 2nd birthday party. She was a sweet hostess, reaching out for all who came in. She enjoyed her presents and the cake was a hit. Thanks to Mandy Cooper for a job well done. The theme was Bob and Larry of the Veggie Tales. Mike reworked a table that my dear father had made in the early 60s. He also reworked a chair he had as a child and we bought a rocker at covered bridge.

A visit to Edgar County

Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh God my Father~ Yesterday after church we went to lunch at Paris at the Tuscany, an Italian, old world decor buffet. Then we headed to Friends Chapel where my dear parents are. We placed a solar light in their urn. Then we visited with my sweet cousins, Jessie and Kurt, who have a menagarie of animals at their place: goats, pet deer, dogs, cats.......The deer is a miracle. Someone found her in ice, and brought her to Jessie. They have been bottle feeding her ever since!! Then, we were off to Fairmount to visit my in-laws' gravesite and add a solar light there also. We visited with friends on the way home. Today I put another solar light on Sully's grave. I see how they look as we drive by a graveyard at night, and there is a softness like a protection out there. Anyway, it was a good day for Mike and I. When I got on Facebook last night, a friend had put old pictures of the hospital/Cancer Center on and I lapped that up as if nourishment. Thanks, Carolyn. My prayer list this morning took awhile to get thru. But, God knows my heart, so many needs, but an awesome God who can meet them all.

Thank you Mr. Matt

Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh God my Father~ Mike and I have had difficulty with the desk top. SO.........We asked our faithful friend and expert, Mr. Matt to help out. And.....he did. May the Lord bless you and your terrific family.

Halloween pics

Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh God my Father~

random pic. check out Cub on legs

Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh God my Father~

pics of us at home

Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh God my Father~

REESE AND THE DOG BOWL

Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh God my Father~

My Beloved Family

Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh God my Father~

My friend Nancy

Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh God my Father~ For those of you who know my highschool classmate, Nancy Cornwell Clark, this post is of interest to you. Nancy makes everyone joyful, its just her way. She is a treat to have around. Currently, she is giving loving care to her dear husband Harold, who is ill. They have moved to Tampa Florida to be near their younger son, Darrin and his family. We miss having her so close, but know this is the very best for she and Harold. So, Class of 1963, remember Nancy and her family in your prayers. And if you want her address or e-mail, message me on FB or comment on this post. NANCY, WE LOVE YOU~

Conner Cousins Reunion

Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh God my Father~ Mike and I were invited to my cousin Carol Samford Lawson Craig's home for a luncheon this last Wednesday. Her husband Bob and cousin Carol ask my other 3 cousins and their spouses to come, too. When your one cousin is an only child, and a girl, and your other two cousins are my auntie's children, and then there's me, an only girl child, the Conner name is pretty much distinct! So, Uncle Russell's daughter Virginia and her husband David Porter (they are both pushing 80). And Carol and Bob (70's), and Dean and Sharon Samford, children of my Auntie Irene Conner Samford, and then me, daughter of Leonard William Conner, and my hubby Mike (60's). And Dean's step-son, Troy, also attended. We had spiral ham, cooked to perfection, noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn cassarole, lettuce salad, chicken cassarole, the BEST dinner rolls I've ever had (sorry Beef House). Then, there was pumpkin pie, jello, and apple crisp. Anybody hungry yet???!!! But the fellowship was superb. Carol had some genealogy on Pappy and Grandma Mary Conner, and Virginia brought some pictures. I brought my book about Sully and the picture taken of a butterfly on a beach in Australia for Sully for the ladies to see. Auntie Carol had seen and held Sully. I was so glad she had been up to see him.

You know, when someone has no siblings, cousins are of upmost importance in life. I love all my cousins, Conner and Harness. They are more special than they will ever know, to me. I know they loved my parents, and they love me too.

AND, I have been in touch with schoolmates recently, all of us concerned about a special lady, Nancy Cornwell Clark, of Tampa, Fl. She is giving loving care to her sweet husband, Harold, who was a former coach for Scottland High School, later a farmer near Purdue. Nancy worked as a house mother for a fraternity house on the campus of Purdue University. She is loved. And she had a special relationship with my Auntie Irene Samford. Nancy used to do my aunt's hair, and they enjoyed each other's company. Nancy, when you read this, you will know how much you are loved and cared for by your old friends in Illinois. God bless Nancy and my cousins!