Kimmy became engaged to Josh Dennis, the son of Rev. Don and Teresa Dennis, the following month.  I would find myself planning a wedding right on the heels of burying my mother.
 
The original date was set for May.  I had over a year and began to cut rose pedals to cover the cement floor in the youth center.  With so many other projects to accomplish, I found my rose pedal venture to be the ultimate “pass time.”  I worked steadily on the major things, but never had a down moment without a bag of bargain rose bushes handy to at least cut the pedals when I felt like doing nothing else.  Then the wedding was moved up to February 27, 2004.  But I was still good-to-go.

Brother and Sister Dennis had sent me their guest list with so many names that looked familiar since we had evangelized in those circles many years ago.  But one of them stood out.  There was a couple that Kimmy’s father had known before we married.  He had held revivals at their church several times and when they pioneered one of their own in Siloam Springs, Ar. they became a regular place of ministry for him.  After he had left us when Kimmy was eight months old, I had thought of them often.  After spending years on “the back side of the dessert” I really never thought of contacting them.  They were friends of Tim’s and loved him so much.  Now, I spot their name on the guest list and couldn’t resist.  First I made a phone call and got an answering machine.  I was almost certain the voice on the other end was one from my distant past.  So I took the step and wrote them a letter sending a copy of my book.  “How interesting,” I thought, “These people knew me when I was living these stories.”  I told them they were bound to be surprised when they read what going on behind the scenes at that time.  After I had placed it in the mail, I worried, “What if it wasn’t them?  What if they don’t know me at all?”

Meanwhile, the wedding plans were moving forward.  As the day approached it became apparent that this kid had some kind of favor with God.  The RSVP’s grew and the friends began to rally.
  
The reception became my major issue since our church had not completed a kitchen.  Leota Campbell drove up from Shell Knob, Mo. to look the situation over.  She was up to the challenge and began to make preparation to cook for an estimated 200 people, without proper facilities.  But 200 was only the beginning.  I kept in close contact with Brenda Herron, who had been drafted  long before as reception coordinator.  She remained calm as the numbers grew, so I did too.
 
Though my final RSVP count was at 342, I realized it could climb.  Fortunately, I had planned a wedding for a bride who was blessed!

A local establishment who had been doing buiness with my husband's company, stepped up to the plate with what they described as  “a favor” and catered a banquet for a king at a price for a pauper.  We served approximately 400 plates to those who attended the reception.  A woman by the name of Vicky, worked as if she were my closest friend.    Brenda Moore, a florist who owns her own shop in Shell Knob, MO. named “The Back Gate” drove up that morning to do all the flowers.  I’ve never seen a more beautiful bouquet!  David Herron from Kentucky videoed the wedding.  Doris Sherman flew in from Florida to help with decorations.  Brenda Herron had brought Jan Shade with her who worked like a slave.  Shiela Brown was the wedding coordinator and had no clue what she was in for when she first jumped on board. The reception required so many to cart a tea pitcher for refills or to keep the salad bar and buffet stocked.  I was so grateful to Zanetta Collins, Melissa Pugh, Debbie Greg, Carrie Tuttle, Donovan Sampson, Judy Wright, Marilyn Longstaff, Debbie Myers, Sharon, Jody and Preston Walker, Julie Perkins and Mark Clark, who took the prize for saving the day when we ran out of strawberries at the chocolate fountain.

Jason Lowe provided a swan ice sculpture!  Mike Wooden operated his lighting system that made the head table and wedding cake appear to be out of someone’s fantasy land.   Josh’s mother, Teresa Dennis and his sister, Casey Harper, became invaluable behind the scenes recruiting their family members to literally “tie up loose ends”. Doneen Kaunley arranged and oversaw the spread of pillar candles that covered what had been a choir loft . . and did I mention there were rose pedals?  I told my husband we would not have had that wedding if we were millionaires, Joplin, Missouri did not have enough rose pedals in stock!  They were everywhere!

I could have never imagined the estimated 500 guest would come to celebrate in the union of Josh and Kimmy.  But there was someone who did. . . A white rose was placed on an empty chair in memory of the grandmother that must have seen that day long before.  When she gave me a Word from the Lord, then told me to wait and see.

While greeting people in the receiving line, two familiar faces from my past approached me with open arms.  Brother and Sister Whorton from Siloam Springs, AR.  acted as if it were me that they were so deeply fond of so many years ago.  Sister Whorton leaned into my ear and told me she would be in touch about a date for ministering, only this time it was me.  She said she was reading my book and told me what chapter she was up to.  I quipped back, “When you get to the one titled “The Price”, you’ll better understand what tonight was all about.”