School Spirit?

We had a guest at our regular Thursday morning meeting: Eric Yearwood, who works with Campus Crusade for Christ at the University of Missouri in Columbia.

Eric recently returned from a summer in Italy, and told us a couple of distressing stories about the decline of faith in Europe and a couple of inspiring stories about reversing that trend.

Anyway, if ye socks would like to read more about his ministry, check out this link: http://www.uscm.org/.

And, if ye feel moved to make a financial contribution or send words of encouragement, contact Eric at:

1700 Forum Blvd #1503

Columbia, MO 65203

On this day in 1885 . . .

my great grandfather Thomas Joseph Norton, Sr., was born in Jersey City, New Jersey.

He was the eldest son of Irish immigrant Patrick Norton (recent arrival from Ballyforan in County Roscommon) and the former Margaret Conner.

Tom was a gifted athlete at Fordham University, who often competed at Madison Square Garden in New York City; and qualified for the US Olympic Track and Field Team in 1904.

Unfortunately, his disciplinarian father wouldn't let Tom forego his college studies to attend the 3rd Olympiad out in St. Louis.

Bad news for Tom was good news for his many descendants. By not heading out to Missouri, he struck up a romance with my great-grandmother Lil Irving.

They were secretly wed in Jersey City on 26 February 1905, which caused quite a stir . . . even rated a feature article in the New York Times.

Anyway, I digress.

Happy 124t Birthday, Tom!

It ain't over yet, Tech fans.

As the Gators romped over The Citadel today, there was very little left for yours truly to watch in terms of college football than the big match-up between my alma mater and the Oklahoma Sooners.

Unfortunately, things got ugly in Norman tonight. Real ugly. And, real fast.

They whooped us. There's no other way to say it. 65-21. Ouch!

But, hope is still alive, despite the ruination of a perfect season.

Tech's loss leaves a three-way tie in the Big 12 South, and the Sooners still have to face their in-state rival Oklahoma State next weekend. Should they lose there, Tech will still be going to the Big 12 Championship game to face Missouri.

And, if they can beat Mizzou . . . the sky's the limit. I mean, they'd be the 12-1 champs of the conference that has dominated the sports page headlines all season . . . even in this little corner of heaven where the SEC usually reigns supreme.

So, be not faint of heart, my fellow Red Raiders. Keep them guns up, and get ready for some more great football games over the next few weeks.

Oh, and Go Cowboys!

Rev. Billy Gene Brown (1931-2008)

I am very sorry to report the death of my great-uncle Billy Gene "BG" Brown.

He ended a 6-year battle with Parkinson's Disease at 4:15 yesterday morning, requesting his body be donated to medical research to help find a cure for this terrible illness.

BG celebrated his 76th birthday this past December 7th. Though born in Miami, he spent his formative years in Plymouth and attended Apopka High School.

After serving with the US Navy (and riding out a terrific hurricane in Charleston Harbor!) he returned to this little corner of heaven to marry my great-aunt Diane Morgan on August 28, 1953--almost 55 years ago. Together they operated His Way Ministries for many years. They have three children (David, Debbie, and Danny) as well as several grandchildren and great-granchildren.

Memorial services are scheduled at two of the churches BG served as pastor:

* 7/6/08 (Sunday) - 1pm - Corinth Baptist Church, Clinton, Missouri.

* 7/19/08 (Saturday) - 2pm - Rosemont Baptist Church, Orlando, Florida.

Some sad news out of Missouri

I received a distressing email from my Aunt Diane this evening.

Her son Danny woke up this morning to discover his wife Norma had passed away in her sleep.

Some of ye socks may recall that Danny and Norma had moved out to Missouri recently to be near Aunt Diane, and help her take care of Uncle BG (who is suffering from Parkinson's Disease).

Well, on top of the shock of Norma's death, I now learn that BG has been confined to his bed for the last few days and is basically unresponsive.

They have a lot on their plates out there in western Missouri. So, if you're the praying kind, I'm sure Aunt Diane, Danny, and the rest of the Browns would greatly appreciate it now more than ever.

Football & Housewarming Party

Well, today was the big day at the Jenks Mansion with Howard and Valda hosting throngs of their closest friends in a fashion that would have made P-Diddy jealous.

Of course, it's still Fall Football season here in the South, so there was much pigskin discussed over Lil Smokey's & BBQ sauce. Yeah, we ARE that fancy.

The big news was Apopka's win over Spruce Creek last night, which catapults them into a state semi-final against the highly-overated Boone Braves this Friday.

One of the outstanding young varsity men in Darter Blue was on hand to give us all the inside scoop. The Braves should be quaking in their mocassins, according to what he tells us.

Sidelight entertainment was provided by LSU whooping-up on the Vols in the SEC championship game up in Atlanta; Pitt surprising the West Virginia Mountaineers in the backyard brawl; and Oklahoma beating up on "number one" Mizzou.

I love this time of year, and the mansion proved an awesome venue for a lot of folks down here to indulge the twin southern passions of sports and grub.

Congrats to the Jenkses, and thanks for playing host!

His Way online

I got my monthly newsletter from Uncle BG and Aunt Diane in the mail today.

You may remember from previous posts that they have a teaching ministry out in Missouri.

Anyway, the newsletters have unfortunately been the bearers of rather distressing health news lately.

But, this month, they announced the launch of their first website:

http://www.hiswayteachingministry.com/

Check it out and send them an email if you get a chance.

Also, congrats to their granddaughter Megan and her new husband Brian, who got married out in Dallas last month.

And, please pray for their other granddaughter Danica, who left two days after her sister's wedding to go on a mission to India FOR A YEAR!!

Aunt Diane & Uncle BG

I received bad news last night that Aunt Diane will not be able to participate in Dad's services later this month as she had planned.

She was supposed to have accompanied Aunt Dot and Uncle Richard with her keyboard talents as they sang in the chapel, and had even made arrangements to fly down here from Missouri.

Unfortunately, Uncle BG's health has declined to the point that she felt necessary to cancel.

We will really miss her presence and beautiful singing voice on the 31st, but can totally understand the need to be with a loved one in need. We were in her shoes just a few weeks ago.