Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Australian Fire Storm

A volunteer fireman rescues a koala bear suffering from burned paws. She was taken to a medical facility and is receiving treatment. So far, 200 human deaths and who know how much wildlife has died. Please keep all of them in your prayers.

International New from Web Site

Walter W. "Bill" Ross III
Walter W. "Bill" Ross III, 85, of Leawood, Kan., died Thursday, January 1, 2009, at St. Luke's Hospital South, Overland Park, Kan. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 6, 2009, at Atonement Lutheran Church, 9948 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, Kan. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Bill and Marilyn Ross Literacy Scholarship Fund of Beta Sigma Phi, 1800 W. 91st Place, Kansas City, MO 64114. Born February 8, 1923, in Kansas City, Mo., Bill was the son of Walter W. Ross, Jr. and Dorothy Eagle Ross. He attended Missouri Military Academy, Southwest High School, and Westminster College in Fulton, Mo. He was a Navy veteran of World War II, serving 3 years, 3 months and 3 days. He served in the Atlantic Theatre, Mediterranean and South Pacific. Bill was named president of Walter W. Ross and Company, Inc., in 1953, and served in that capacity until 1999. At the time of his death he was chairman of the board of Walter W. Ross and Company, Inc. The corporation manages Beta Sigma Phi International, the world's largest non-academic Greek letter organization. He was affiliated with Girlstown U.S.A., where he served as the director of the board, KC Philharmonic Orchestra, past president of KC OPO, member of the Atonement Lutheran Church, Blue Lodge member of Mason, served as national director of Cerebral Palsy and past president of Beta Theta Pi Alumni Association of Westminster College in Fulton, Mo. Bill married Mary Kay Ready in November of 1945. She preceded him in death in February of 1987. Their son, Walter W. Ross, IV (Bucky), preceded him in death in March of 1992. In May of 1990, Bill married Marilyn Job Wegner, who survives him along with his daughters Linda Ross Costa (Gayton) of Kona, Hawaii, and Judy Ross of San Jose, Calif.; his stepson Ted Wegner of Kansas City, Mo.; his stepdaughter Gretchen Lynch (Jason) of Denver, Colo.; his step granddaughter Ava Lynch; his brother John J. (Jack) Ross and family of Kansas City, Mo., and a worldwide circle of friends. Arrangements are by the McGilley State Line Chapel, (816) 942-9180.

Bruce "The Boss" Springsteen & "The Boss"

This is one of my favorite photographs from the inauguration festivities. Mr. President.

With Deepest Sympathy

Mrs. Marjory M. Reed, Galesburg Chapel
90, 1534 Knox Road 650 E, Galesburg, died at 11:20 PM Saturday, January 17, 2009 in Galesburg Cottage Hospital.
She was born June 13, 1918 in Biggsville, Illinois, the daughter of Chester and Vivian McGraw Stotts. She married Albert K. Reed, Sr. on March 6, 1937 in Oquawka, Illinois. He preceded her in death on July 7, 2000.
She is survived by a son, A. Kenneth “Kenny” (and Joyce) Reed, Jr. of East Galesburg, 3 daughters, Darlene K. (and Marvin) Lannholm of Galesburg, Dianna M. (and Jim) Perry of Sheridan, Wyoming, and Judith L. (and Dave) McClay of Galesburg, 2 brothers, Charles Stotts of Rock Island, Illinois and Gene Stotts of Oquawka, Illinois, a sister, Dorothy Dixon of Rock Island, Illinois, 19 grandchildren, 57 great grandchildren, and 17 great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Myrna Stotts and a great great granddaughter, Willow Jean McClay.
Marjorie was Assistant to the Dean at Western Illinois University in the 1930’s and helped the Dean with the writing of a book on Hawaii. She also worked at the former Gale Products Division of Outboard Marine Corporation, the former Ross Clinic, for Sears and Roebuck, and retired from the library department of Carl Sandburg College. She graduated from Biggsville High School and lived her entire life in Galesburg and surrounding areas.
Marjorie was an active member of Faith United Methodist Church and its Women’s Group. She wrote short stories for the Spoon River Anthology and was also a reading buddy at Nielson School.
Funeral will be 10 AM Friday at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel. The Rev. Jean Hembrough will officiate. Visitation will be 6 to 8 PM Thursday at the chapel. Burial will be in Knoxville Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Faith United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.


So Sorry for your loss Darlene!
Caring Thoughts
Lois

Happy New Year!

Made with My Cool Signs.Net

"True Gritt"

In our lives as we grow up we all have had to go threw many different challenges that life's thrown at us. Some say that God helps us build our lives and guides us to make the right choices in our lives.
I wonder why it is that some people have smooth, carefree lives with little hardship, while other endure more hardship and sorrow than their share.
Today I took a good look at my life and I realized that I have one of the smooth and carefee lives for today and in the past. I have not endured True Gritt hardship, yet. I've not lost a Spouse, child or parent. To me that is true hardship.

My husband's cousin, younger mid 30's or so, he's married and has 7 children. One son (child #3) was born handicaped with a disease that makes him wheelchair bound. Even with this challenge they still had more children. They had a Walton kind of family. In April of this year he (the dad) was killed in a car accident while riding with his son-in-law. The son-in-law was in critical condition. Now his widow is left with no husband and 7 children and with being extremely handicaped. What a traumatic time for her and their family.
Just this last Thursday (12-18-08) her handicaped son passed away. He was 15 years old. A blood clot had formed in his leg and moved to his lung. He endured brain damage to the area that controls your breathing.
Many of you may have read his name in the Register Mail today, Cody Mecum. When I read about it today I though, how much more could this lady withstand? She has had WAY MORE hardship and sorrow than her share!!

I just took pictures of Cody at an anniversary party in August in his Cubs hat and t-shirt. He was very happy and full of life. Which brings me back to God. I'm not asking why did he take Cody away, more of why does he keep picking on the same family? That's just mean.

I know this is long, but I wanted to share my thoughts with someone and who better to share them with than my sisters?

Thanks for listening!! Merry Christmas
Lois