Susan Sinclair sends this: We had a wonderful Christmas day, and this year for the first time our family and friends were able to share the celebration of Christ in my new home. Mom and Dad, (Frank and Shirley), my brother Steve and his boys Sam and Ben, myself and our dear friends and neighbors Terry and JoAnna Vink enjoyed fellowship together, along with a hearty holiday meal. I sure enjoyed hearing my nephews (ages 5 and 6 respectively) romping and playing while we were preparing dinner. We had a tossed salad to join with the potatoes, stuffing, cranberry salad, turkey, ham, gravy and the abundant desserts. I appreciate several of my friends and family for the gifts I received two weeks ago, they were all put to use during the holiday celebration. I appreciate Diane Peebles for the mixing bowls-they make great serving dishes as well, and the hand towels (and all the other towels and dish cloths) from Lodean Schultz and Eva Lawrence, also I appreciate Sam and Eva for the TV, though we didn’t watch during dinner. The bath rug from Sue Brown keeps our feet warm and dry, and the Swiss made paring knives from Tom Brown are just as sharp as he had warned (I still have a band aid on my thumb). Also, thank you to Pam Miller and Cody for the keepsake shelves. Mom and Dad’s gift of a skillet set cooked the ham roast wonderfully, and most of all, the Holy Spirit shared our day with us, and we had a peace among us, that can only come from the presence of God. I pray that each person can reach an intimate friendship with God because He wants an intimate friendship with us.
Until next time, God bless you and your loved ones.
Jamey Herd sends us this: Pleasant Ridge Baptist enjoyed a spirit filled service with a good crowd for the day after Christmas. A special was given by Janetia Breedlove, before Pastor Carl gave his message. We were surprised by our oldest son, Don, showing up for church. There were several visitors in the service also. Prayer was asked for Joanne Lupton who is having surgery this week. Lavetia had 10 little ones in Children’s Church with Susan Dugan and Angie Modar as helpers. They sang a really cute song before going back to their class. Services were cancelled for Sunday night as people were still having company and Christmas get-togethers.
Janice, Robert, Kara and Kyle, our youngest daughter, left for Augusta, Kansas this morning (Monday). It was great having them with us for a few days. We all met at son Ron’s for Christmas brunch on Christmas Day. Susan, Chuck, Jenny, Drew and Jayme came from Carl Junction and Cassie Calvin came from Sedalia with her two little ones. Billy Joe’s brother, Bob Herd joined us also. There was lots of food, again, and lots of fun despite the weather. We had to get through two wrecks on 125 North of 60. Once we crossed 60 Highway it got very slick. The two slide-off wrecks were very close together. I just thank the good Lord for a safe trip for us.
We have enjoyed so much good food lately we will all be exercising to take the extra pounds off. I pray the Lord has blessed you as much as He has blessed us. Now to prepare for New Years and the next storm headed our way.
Carol Boeddeker-Genet – I want to thank Susan Sinclair and Jamey Herd for sending news to me weekly for this column as I feel their input makes for more enjoyable reading – and keeping us up on what is happening on Dogwood Hill.
It is a good thing I mopped floors and did some other cleaning here last Thursday morning as by mid afternoon the 24 hour flu struck. Daughter-in-law Arlene came and spent a few hours with me until the worst of it was over. I missed church services on Friday, Saturday and Sunday as my immune system was so down and weakness was the key word. Sunday afternoon there were 15 of us here for our Christmas gathering. All I had to prepare was the table settings, the ham and scalloped potatoes. Others brought croissants, desserts, shoepeg corn, brussel sprouts, fruit salad, sodas, and their wonderful, loving selves to share. Poor Randy, he had to carve the ham (and did a fine job). The ladies present did all the clean-up and putting away of food, bless their hearts! The four great grandbabies were full of vinegar so it wasn’t a quiet event. The youngest great grand, Ryan, at 3 ½ years, asked me several times why there weren’t more packages, with wrappings, so he could tear into them. I had baked multiple tins of cookies and breads as gifts earlier in the week. Good thing I didn’t wait until the last minute!
Granddaughter Lindsay Boeddeker, my sister Dona, and my son Ryan all made calls from California to share Christmas wishes. Ron Boeddeker had called his family the night before from Alaska. Family is so important and they all made this Christmas so loving.
There were many nice gifts for me. Lots of “foofoo” to make me smell good and have soft skin, a couple of cook books, some bowls, some jewelry, some wine, etc. I had told them I wanted and needed nothing, but that fell on deaf ears (again!).
May God Bless you and yours with health, happiness, fellowship and May 2011 be a wonderful year for each and every one of you.
