MCS Banquet and other news

Just a quick blog...Bailey and Hutton had banquet last night and both looked wonderful. Bailey went with a boy we really like...actually he is one of Reagan's favorites. Hutton decided not to ask anyone but sat with several girls who went by themselves...his sister was not happy with him not asking but couldn't sway that decision. Bailey's golf team finished as state runner up last week. We were thrilled because they finished 3rd at regionals so they fought hard for 2nd at state. Things here are busy as usual. We have just 2 weeks of school left so end of school things are coming fast and furious. Bailey is busy with some senior parties and cheerleading practice and Hutton is now in off season football. Can't wait to see you at the lake!

These four girls have taken a picture like this every year since 7th grade. They sure have grown up.

Hutton and Bailey - MCS Banquet 2006

Bailey and Derek Whiting MCS Banquet.

Island Hopping

Rose is in Bohol at the Women's REtreat. I traveled via ferry boat to Leyte and toured the area of the mud slide where over 3000 were buried alive. We took several orphaned girls with us and they showed us where they thought their house was buried under 30 feet of mud and rocks. I think thet were less emotional than I was.
Today we are traveling to Bohol where we will stay until Monday. There is a 3 hour ferry ride and a 3 hour bus ride. Our goal is to arrive before dark.

Tmorrow morning I will preach in Bohol and we will tour the island in the afternoon. This is a famous island both for historic reasons and for it's sceinic beauty. This island is home to the worlds smallest monkey and the "Chocolate Hills".

We leave from Bohol early Monday morning and arrive home 42 hours later with stops and layovers in Cebu, Manila and Soeul. There is 13 hours difference in time. Papa
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Prom Pictures

Here are some pictures from prom, so that Papa and Rose don't go crazy with anticipation before they can get home. I hope this is what you wanted. This weekend was a blast with Region, prom, and Project Celebration. I won a nice refrigerator, and managed to stay awake for more hours than I thought possible. It's been crazy, but fun. Thanks to everyone who came to San Angelo, and I'm sorry we couldn't talk longer. Love you all!

Thank you for the birthday wishes. We crossed the International Date line at midnight so we went from April 20 to April 22 so I just skipped my 71st BD.However, I am having fun basking in the success of my grand children and children. All the news from home pleases us and is shated immediately with our friends here. U would be amazed at how many read this blog here in the Philippines. Keep blogging so we can keep up with you.
We leave Tagaytay on a few minutes. Ems and Jennifer Layco will go with us to Manila and we will fly to Cebu. We have been informed of a welcoming banquet to night at the Mactan Church. Mangos are in season, so what 0else is needed?
Love from Rose and Papa

Happy Birthday Papa!

I thought it would make you happy to know your overachieving grandchildren did you proud this weekend...see earlier post! I hope your trip went smoothly and you are there enjoying yourselves. We love you and are so proud to call you dad and papa. I know you are happy spending your birthday doing what you love. Thank you for all you do for us and for the example you are. We love you so much...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

State Bound Jordan and other news

I can't write with the details ( I will let the Bailey's of far north Hurst do that) but just wanted to say congratulations to Jordan. Of course I, as your aunt and without seeing any other plays, thought you were a given for best actress...I'm so glad the judges agreed! Huge accomplishment and such a fun way to end your senior year. Hutton ran today in the district meet. He came in sixth...good enough to get points for his team and letter in track (his and his coaches goal)...not quite good enough to go to regionals...maybe next year. Reagan had a great baseball game today. He scored the first run by getting a walk and then stealing 2nd, 3rd and home. He also had a hit that brought in three runs and had a great play at third...scooped up a slow roller and threw a boy out at first to end the game in a tie. Connor spent his day with me in the car driving back from Denton and Bailey practiced her golf game today. Tod, Bailey and I leave tomorrow for Houston and the State golf Tourney. I will write with results when we get back.

San Angelo Bound

It's been a while since we updated, and by we, I mean me because I am the technically savvy and family oriented person in my home. Caitlin's District track meet went well yesterday despite her injured leg, and she ran her best time yet. The One-Act play is coming to San Angelo for Region the day before prom, so my life and mom's scheduling for Project Celebration are crazy right now. I interviewed for full tuition scholarship at Harding on Monday and it went well, so we'll see how that turns out. Keep the whole college process in your prayers. The picture is of me in makeup for Ballyhoo and Caitlin in track apparel. I'm disappointed in Bailey and her decision to turn to a life of pom-poms, but I'm hopeful about chastising her in person at the competition in San Angelo. I'm sure I left out some interesting details of our hectic schedule, but I hope I hit the highlights. I love you all and can't wait to see everyone soon.

CLASS REUNION - 1953

David Lidbury David Olson John Bailey Walter Straker

There were only five boys in my graduating class from Radville Christian College (High School) in 1953. We decided to call for a reunion of the guys and four of the five gathered in Cananasca, Alberta, Canada last week.
We had a great time remembering and correcting each others memories. We also had an interesting time sharing our lives and what has happened to us since graduation.

I doubt if there has ever been a class quite like ours. Eighty per cent of the boys have advanced degrees. Forty per cent have earned doctorates. These guys graduated from a high school that competed against all the high schools in Saskatchewan. We all took the same examinations and they were set and graded by the department of education. Our teachers had never seen the exams until the package was opened at the beginning of the testing and our entire years work rested in the examination result.

Our little school did not have indoor plumbing. Our chemistry lab was an old kitchen cupboard. None of us remember a single experiment that worked the way it was supposed to. We succeeded in school because we have parents who motivated us and teachers who were dedicated.

It is interesting that we still have a lot in common.

1. All four of us spent time teaching school. Dr. Olson made a career teaching at the university level. David Lidbury taught high school and was a school administrator until his retirement. Walter Straker is still teaching at the Great Lakes Bible College. I taught 3 1/2 years at Western Christian College.

2. Each of us is still married to the wife of his youth.

3. All have traveled extensively. There are not many countries where at least one of us hasn't visited.

4. One or both of our parents lived more than 90 years.

5. We all have children and grandchildren.

Fifty three years has brought it's changes. While we share many things in common we differ enough to make conversations interesting and thoughtful. I hope we will do this again in a year or two in a place as beautiful as Cananasca.

Thanks David, David and Walter for the effort you made to make this a memorable weekend.

I want to thank R.V. Elliott for coming. He was one of our (David Olson & I) star students. Russell was in grade eleven when David and I taught at Radville Christian College. He received his Ph.D in nuclear physics from the University of Canberra in Australia. We needed him to round out the group and to share and challenge our thinking on a number of subjects.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAY

I'm sorry that I do not have a picture of you on file that does you justice. I must update my files so this mistake will not be made again.

The Sunday morning you were born, I was preaching at the Woodlawn Church in Abilene. I was the associate minister filling in that morning for Dr. Paul Southern who was the head of the Bible Department at ACC.

I stayed at the hospital until it was time for the early worship. I went back to the hospital during the Bible Class hour and then preached again at the second service. You were born sometime during that hour. When the little old ladies found out that I was not at the hospital when you were born, they were highly critical of me. However, in those days fathers were not allowed to even touch the babies until it was time to send mom and babe home from the hospital.

I remember thinking that I was totally unprepared to be a father and to raise a son. I asked God for some favours and depended on your mother for much of what went into your training, and both sources were dependable. I like what we have in our eldest son.

I must admit that some of the happiest moments of my life are living vicariously through my children and grand children. Your professional career plus your role as pulpit minister mimics what I did for many years. I must admit that your ministry is an improvement over mine. That is to be expected. I taught you all I know and spent a fortune on your education so we should expect a better product. You do not disappoint me.

Have a happy birthday, and thank you for your life and the choices you have made. You make me very happy.

Dad

Happy Birthday

This is one of my favorite pictures of the birthday girl. It was taken at Lake Louise, Canada on a vacation trip a couple of years ago.

One thing all Bailey men have in common is that we married far better than we deserved. This is particularily true in my case. I am grateful that she has more than tolerated me (even loved me)for more than 45 years.

Our children and grandchildren can rejoice in having this lady in their linage. She has it all. Just look at how pretty she is. You all remember the great story of her athletic achievment at Farrington Field running in the sixth grade relays.
Who else in our family picked up at batchelors and masters degrees in four years and did so with grades that are reflected in the honors on her degrees? None of us.

So send her your love and congratulations and she will keep sending you birthday money.

Papa 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUTTON!!!!!

Hutton, I couldn't find a recent picture of you in my files. The lastest photo is this one taken last summer while you were on vacation at Hilton Head.
Casual visitors to this blog may now know that you are the tallest one.
When you were born, I was praying hard for a grandson. You see I thought Bailey was perfect and to have a little sister just wouldn't be fair for the "little sister". I got my wish and more. I was looking at some pictures of you when you were very small. I smiled when I remembered how great it was to have a grandson and it pleased me that I find even more to admire in you now than I did then.
Keep setting a good example for your brothers in school, home and the church. Challenge them to greatness as you continue your quest to be all that you can be. Rose & Papa love you. 

Out Of Nias, Indonesia

I keep this picture available so when I start to plan another trip to Nias I will remind myself that it is always a difficult trip because of the travel, extreme heat and the humidity. Someone took this picture during a lunch break in one of the remote villages we visited.
However, I am home safely and body and soul are just about back to Texas time.
Due to missed connections, faulty calculations, layovers and flying time, it took me 61 hours to get home. As difficult as the trip was, it was made much easier because of the generosity of Gary Mann who made arrangements for my travel and put me in first class/business class all the way. This also gave me priveleges at the AP lounges and made for easy bording.
The minor inconveniences of the trip pale in comparison to what was accomplished. I am trying to follow the code of "truth in reporting" that I personally wrote, so here goes. Our team completed 142 eye surgeries, saw over 1,000 patients in village clinics, gave away hundreds of pairs of glasses and distributed hundreds of pounds of rice and dried soup mix. The last count I had, about 350 personal Bible studies and prayer sessions were scheduled by the local evangelists in the villages.
It is a real joy to be on the giving side of human need. I believe true joy comes from living in the knowledge of the ever abiding presence of Christ, and I think you will never be closer to Him than when doing what He did. He went about doing good and place a priority on caring for the poor.
Speaking of "joy in His presence", being there when Reagon was buried with Christ in baptism is pretty high on the list of true joys that can be experienced by mortal man. Your a good man, Reagan Brown.
Papa 

Big Weekend

Thought I would blog before another busy week starts. We spent most of the weekend in Brownwood watching a track meet. We ended up with both the girls and guys teams spending the night at the lakehouse...lots of fun and a huge breakfast Saturday morning. Hutton ran the mile and two mile...he did great but I don;t think track will ever be his great love!

Bailey found out Friday night that she made cheerleader. When she told me she didn't want to play volleyball her senior year and she might try out for cheerleader I was a little surprised since she hasn't cheered since 6th grade but Bailey doesn't let little details like that stop her! She did great and we will have a blast watching her cheer on the Mustangs next year.

We had a very special day watching Reagan's baptism this morning. He had been waiting until Rose and Papa could be there because he didn't want to do it without them. Our family has a special completeness now and we are very proud of him.

Jordan we really want to see the play! Please make it to San Angelo so I can come! Let me know the dates if you can so I can make sure I'm not scheduled to work. Great job on all star cast too. Caitlin you look beautiful in your picture...and I'm not at all surprised on the award. We need to meet the new guy...I think he especially needs to meet Uncle Tod don't you?

Love to all and have a great week!

Ballyhoo

I just wanted to update on what's going on in "far north Hurst" (named by Dad). The play I'm working on went to Zone competition yesterday and we advanced, so next Thursday we have District. Think good thoughts. I won an All-Star Cast award, too. Caitlin had basketball banquet and looked beautiful in her dress and make-up applied by a loving older sister. I'll try to post a picture. She won the Hustle award taking after our micromanaging mother. Things are blessed in all areas around here, and we're all excited about the lake trip this summer. Love to everyone!

Birthdays

I did not have a signal on the island of Nias so I couldn't call to wish Lee Ann a happy birthday on March 11. Lee Ann, when you were little people thought I loved you too much. They were wrong then and you have given me more reasons to love you - at least 5. I am so proud of you. I show pictures of your family every where I go and the response is always the same. People are xlown away.
It's Saturday, March 18th and that can only mean one thing - John Connor Brown (JCB IV) is 12 years old. He is everything a man could wish for in a grandson. You are a delight to look at and a joy to be with. It doesn't hurt that you are a good football player and make good grades, but you are maturing and being molded into the image of Christ. I hope God will allow me to live long enough to see some of the things you accomplish
in His Kingdom. HAPPY BIRTHDAY from indonesia,
Papa
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Nias, Indonesia

I'm in Medan and this is the first time I could make contact with the rest of the world. We have had a hard trip but a very successful one. The eye surgeons from Medan complete 142 surgeries. They would have completed more but about 50 who had been screened either did not show or were turned away because of health problems.
We treated more than 1000 in free village clinics and distributed hundreds of pairs of glasses.
I will write in more detail when I get home in about a week. I am very tired but well. It is 2 a.m. and I can.t sleep. I am eager to get home. I am going to try to crowd 5 days work into 3 and see if I can change my ticket and get home 2 days earlier than planned.
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Madness

Happy Bracket Week everybody! Thanks to Alan Brown, several of us fill out brackets each year for the NCAA basketball tournament and show the world how little we know.

I thought I better warn those of you involved this year that there is a new "playa" on the scene. Rose is in this year and she's in it to win it. Look out Tod, your mother-in-law is gunning for you!

Now, we'll know she's really serious if she picks anybody but Kentucky to win it all...