Next Stop...Luddel, Kansas

June 8, 2008

Cliff and Phyllis Bach

We arrived late Friday evening for a delicious spaghetti dinner with Cliff, Phyllis, Emily and baby Alex. Cell coverage was unavailable as we drove into the dark town trying to locate their home. Russ recognized Cliff's nearby whistle as he spotted our car. Who needs a GPS in a small town? These friends are teacher colleagues that Russ taught and roomed with in Hoonah, Alaska. They are currently teaching (a major ministry) in Noorvik, an Inuit village near Kotzebue in arctic Alaska. We were again blessed by friends God has spaced along our journey north to Alaska.

Visit with the Highbargains

June 7, 2008

El Dorado Springs, MO

Lowell and Charlotte Highbargain

Russ and I enjoyed sharing and listening to funny memories of friendship from almost 40 years. The Highbargains were Russell's next door neighbors in Glennallen. Their daughter, Kathy, and Russ attended school together K-12 and into college. Now the Highbargains are "neighbors" from Missouri. Their hospitality saved us from camping out in a thunderstorm with high winds that evening.

Wedding Party

Our wedding party:

Holly Thompson, Amy Welch (both great catches!), Sherri, Russ, Clark Brown and Rob Carr.

Our Wedding Day

We’ve made it all the way to Toquerville, Utah, next to Zion National Park. We’re now visiting with Rod and Terry Brown.
We want to thank everyone for the showers, cards, gifts, prayers and encouragement! We had a wonderful wedding day and lots of friends and family were able to help us prepare for the ceremony. Along with a lot of folks from the Bolivar area, we were blessed to have several guests and helpers from Glennallen as well. Jed Linebaugh directed the rehearsal. My brother Dale, Russ’ cousin, Rob, Jed and best man Clark Brown practiced singing Amazing Grace.

The Wedding Day
My friend Amy and I arrived at the church early to start on make up and hair so we could be ready for pictures by noon, We almost made it on time. Ken Roberson was able to take all the photos before the wedding which helped greatly afterwards. I felt amazingly calm for a bride to be, and had just a hint of jitters right as I left the bridal room. My nephew and ring bearer, Collin Ray, added a bit of lightheartedness to the ceremony as he hesitated a bit to walk with that satin pillow down the aisle. Thanks to Lawanda, his mom, he made it all the way down.
Jed Linebaugh, Russ’ pastor for many years, and my dad spoke challenging and moving words during the ceremony. My mom led everyone in a sweet prayer for our marriage, causing many sniffles in the audience. Later, I held back my own tears, especially when Dad talked about each of our hands and how they were designed to help the other. Finally, we were pronounced man and wife…the moment we had waited for so long! We paused a few seconds waiting on the recessional music to begin. It wasn’t in the program, but this was God’s turn to “speak.” With perfect timing, there was a low rumble of thunder that punctuated the silence. The rumble grew to a roar and we knew our great God’s thunderclap with His own hands at that moment was no coincidence. We’re sure God was pleased with those who so generously gave of themselves and their resources to make this wedding a blessed and God glorifying event. He answered all those prayers from Missouri to Alaska over many years and from many faithful praying people like you!