I am truly blessed and thankful to have a wonderful "school family" and a wonderful "church family" behind "Team Bessie" supporting us as we embark upon this awesome endeavor ~~ flying the 2011 Air Race Classic. When I first decided to enter into the race back in Jan~Feb time frame, immediately a few of my students began planning how they would participate and support us, too. They formed the "Team Bessie" Fan Club, and one of my graduating seniors, Yara, (who is an incredible artist, event planner, and "go-to" girl for anything you need!!!) designed and ordered the "Team Bessie" t-shirt; IT IS FANTASTIC!!! :-). They, along with my instructor colleague and his wife, will be taking their vacation/"Team Bessie" groupie road trip and journeying to Iowa City (KIOW) to give us a "hearty Topeka ~ Highland Park High School, bring-home-the-gold" send off bidding us blue skies and tailwinds for our journey!!! I love them and can't wait to see them on the 21st!!!...Joyce
I have some wonderful and dear friends in Ozark, MO., Russ and Becky, who volunteered to take care of my pooch (Yorkie), MaxRudder, for the duration of the air race classic. They have a Daschund named Gretchen, and when MaxRudder and I visited back in April, I think Gretchen may have been smitten by MaxRudder or maybe it was vice versa :-). Anyway, I flew MaxRudder down to their home/airpark (Gimlin ~~ 18MO) on Wednesday and returned in time for Wednesday Bible study at my church, So. Knollwood Baptist, Topeka, KS.
At the close of the service, one of the church members, Steve Stanton, whose father (age 89) was an Eastern Airline and TWA captain, as well as a corporate pilot who personally flew Will Rogers and Wiley Post, asked the Pastor if he could make a public announcement/presentation. Next thing I know, I was called to the front of the church and was presented with a BEAUTIFUL bouquet of flowers while Mr. Stanton explained to the church the grandness of what I was about to undertake. Then the Pastor prayed a prayer asking for God's grace, protection, blessings, and safe return for "Team Bessie" (remember, I teach the 4 & 5 years olds, and folks are not banging down the doors to take over my job; they want me back!!! :-)). What a wonderful send off from a church family that means the world to me. Thank you, Mr. Stanton and So. Knollwood!!! Grace & Peace... Joyce
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