February 2008. I just found this in my waiting-to-be-finished blog drafts. I always have about 20 things "in progress" and since my parents were just here, it caught my eye. I know I am waaaaaaaaaaay late posting it, but here are a few rememberences of the hottest, most humid week ever at Big Lake State Park in northwest Missouri, but a wonderful time, nonetheless.
We are so grateful that the whole Ross & Norma Moslander family got to attend the reunion this past summer! The attenders were Ross the Boss, Mrs Moss and all the little Landers, the original 5: Jeanie, Joey, Timmy, Tami, and Danny, along with their spouses (also all "original! ha!) and the 15 grandchildren (plus the 3 "new" spouses so far) that we have given to them, AND 4 great-grandchildren! (the 5th was on the way in these pictures)
We laughed and cried and feasted and danced and swam and fished and paddled around on a little boat and ate and remembered and honored and shared and prayed and encouraged and ate some more and antiqued and sang and worshiped and got caught in a most awesome and fierce thunderstorm and played and ate again.
Joe's wife, my beautiful sister-in-law, Robin, made rich coffee and from-scratch cinnamon rolls early one morning for all of us grown women and led us in studying the Word together and praying for each other – the "older" women of the family praying with and encouraging the "younger." One night we all gathered in close to worship and pray together and Dad Moslander preached a little and Dave P. led us all in the most amazing and beautiful harmonies, if I do say so myself, just singing praise to God.
Our "party" night in the special events center to honor our parent's long marriage (50 golden years!) and ministry included lots of photo sharing and video and special music and twirling to romantic music before Aunt Tami brought out the funky stuff and showed us how to really get a groove on, while wearing my mother's rose-patterned wedding dress.
The days went too fast. It was a blessed time. How I adore all of these people.
Whether they are blood or by your choosing, I hope you will surround yourself with family and enjoy them all your days!…Jeanie
NOTE TO SELF: Stay in better touch like I promised I would. This is my family. This is my lifeblood.
You have a beautiful family. What a blessing to be able to all join your parents to celebrate their special anniversary. I am sure that you made wonderful memories that you will never forget.
It's kind of cool that you waited so long to post this blog – I love remembering all of the good times we had! I can't wait for next year's reunion;o)
I am so blessed to be a part of such a great family. What good memories we made there. As far as keeping in touch, I appreciate your blogs, Jeanie. It has been a way for you to let us all know how you and your family are doing. I am inspired by the deep to deep messages, also. Love you, Dawn
A wonderful time was had by all… Here is a subliminal message… Don't go to Big Lake State Park for anything… Now that is stuck in your brain and the next time you see a brochure to come to Missouri and vacation, you will remember to not hang your hat on a peg at Big Lake State Park. Enough said, my recommendation should be enough, I don't have to go into any of the gory details. I did enjoy being with the fam though! We all rented cars to enjoy the trip and all of us rented the same cars. Mercury Sables. They were great! We got spoiled and we looked like the FBI when we rolled through those little Nebraska towns!!! Great fun. Next time we are all going to rent black cars with tinted windows and then they'll be sorry…
Honey-Big Lake State Park isn't bad…it was the burned-out caretaker who screamed at us who was bad. When we went the first time, it couldn't have been more perfect or welcoming.
This time-the heat and humidity were oppressive, but you can't blame the State Park for that.
Actually, it has been scientifically proven that humidity is best for your skin…it helps initiate an ecoderm bowel movement of your sweat. This of course is important because it keeps you from drowning in your smell. (Drowning is one thing- but drowning in 'your smell' is totally different and has been denounced in glamour magazine now fifty-two times). Hot is often very nice and we roast on it as often as we can at some of our most favorite occasions: beach sun-burn visits, amusement park chunk-blowing episodes and the all time favorite- family reunions every two years in the SUMMER! Sure- it's enough to drive a person inside for shade and AC, but it wasn't enough to keep me away from another attempt at a good time…especially with you all! And…I might add, it preceeded a pretty impressive visit from the Almighty- Our Lord…remember how God showed up in the storm before our worship (how cool is it that God actually shows up early for our worship…instead of being manipulated to attend after we begin! I love it when he is bigger and better than even our wildest theologies about him!)…and He stayed, adding his own powerful moments of emphasis at God-chosen moments during the leadership of our own Dave Powers…ooooo, that was soo cool! Yep- I've decided…I am definitely okay with hot and humid! But you know me…I'll go wherever the rest of you cool Christ-followers go! Count me in! The first official 'Piggy-back Blogger' Brother Joe PS Thanks, Sis, for this venue! :)