The Circle Of One Year

Hey Friends,

Thank you for joining us. Today is a date that is forever imprinted on our hearts. Dad completed his earthly life on 11/10/24. 

My mind can not comprehend that my last statement is actually true.  I still feel like my Dad should be a phone call away! He should be walking down to my house in a while to go to lunch. 

Instead, we have made a circle of one complete year. 365 days have passed since I hugged him or held his hand! 

 

For Dad, it is just a blink of an eye. He is probably still worshipping at the throne. He is still getting used to his new body. No pain, fully functioning lungs, 100 percent strength. He might be running around worshiping. His end goal was always Heaven, and I have no doubts that he is there now!

Back to the circle of life, here on the Boggs Blogs, Dad often wrote about circles. Long-time readers may remember circle posts at the beginning and end of every tour. He knew all the facts about the trip: highlights, states visited, number of services, and miles traveled. Dad liked keeping track of the circles!

Over the years, we have enjoyed looking back over our lives and connecting dots to make our circle bigger. This happened, or we have these friends or experience because of a specific moment. It was a chain of events from God. Most of the things pointed back to our first evangelism stint in the early 90’s! God’s hand was always at work in our lives. 

Dad pastored at New Horizon Holiness Church in Wichita, Kansas, from 1999 to 2003. January 5th 2003, was our last service as pastors. We started a revival that night in Oklahoma City. We were filling in for another evangelist for 2 nights there. 

On January 8th, we packed the final things in Wichita  Then we hit the road. First stop was Weir, Kansas. There were just a few revivals on the schedule. We were uncertain of our plans, but God knew it all! 

That first revival service in Weir, Kansas, was life-changing for our family! Then we knew evangelism was probably the direction our ministry was supposed to go. How long was it still up in the air.

The next almost 22 years. We crisscrossed the country traveling for ministry. We also traveled to other countries. We called 2 5th-wheel trailers home in that time, and most of the time our home was the BoggsMobile. A 1995 Prevost bus. The entire time we were doing circles! I cannot know the exact number of miles or services, but Dad would have known!

In October 2024, Dad drove the BoggsMobile back to Wichita for another visit. We were excited to be in revival with our friends at Bethany Revival Center. Dad preached 3 services of revival. The final 2 services were scheduled for Sunday. 

Then we were supposed to be back on the road. there was I more revival on the schedule for the year. Then we would have completed another circle by coming home to Ohio. 

Things did not go according to plan. By Sunday, Dad was suffering horribly with a kidney stone. We prayed all day for him, but he could get little relief. Monday, he went to the hospital. 

Sunday afternoon, November 10th, Dad went to his Heavenly home. Dad had suffered long and hard; he was so ready to go home! He let everyone know it, too. COVID, the stroke and the last sickness took a toll on him!

We were not ready for him to leave! Our heart’s cry until the end was for total healing! God chose to give him the ultimate healing!!

We grieve and miss Dad terribly! Mom and I can not fault him for wanting to go home. He was ready! Dad had longed and dreamed of Heaven for decades. His dream became a reality!

Dad completed his circle of life in Wichita, Kansas—a place where he always felt at home. Dad’s real life began on 11/10/24, when He crossed over. 

There are two things that we find very interesting, when we stop and think about Dad ‘s circle of life. Mom and I see a circle that began and concluded in Wichita, Kansas. Dad‘s last stint of evangelism began in Wichita, Kansas in 2003,  and it concluded in Wichita in 2024. Also, he began filming his, “A Word For Wednesday” series in Wichita at Bethany Revival Center. The last episode was filmed in the very same place the Tuesday before he got sick.

Daddy, I love you ”more than a hog loves slop!” Today, we remember and honor you for being an incredible person! It was a tremendous honor to be part of your amazing life!

Thank you for your prayers and support for our family! Your love and friendship has meant even more to us this year! we have felt the power of prayer carry us through this year. Mom and I have made it by God's grace, and we will continue to do so one day at a time.

Odie

Foodie Friday And BoggsBlogs Birthday

Hey Friends, 

Happy Foodie Friday! Today, BoggsBlogs is 16 years old! Let's reflect and celebrate. 

HERE and HERE are the first two test posts. Dad shared these on November 7th 2009. I think my memory is correct; we started the blog while in Gainesville, Texas.

The blog was created to update family and friends on our 2009 trip to Nigeria. Little did we know that it would become such a big part of our lives! Dad kept family and friends updated on the happenings of our travels. Dad also wrote about different projects. He was working on whether it was on the BoggsMobile, barn or my house. The blog was his online journal. Through the years, we have been so thankful that we can look back on what was happening.

16 years later, here we are. I thought it was fitting to repost the blog's first two pictures for Foodie Friday.

Double Big Daddy from Ron’s Hamburger And Chili. This was Dad's favorite burger of all time! The last cheeseburger he ate was from Ron's on September 1, 2013! Yes, Dad did indeed go the rest of his life, 11 years 2 months and 9 days without another burger!

 

This is another family, favorite meal, German Sundaes. 

In closing, let's have some cake to celebrate the 16th birthday Of BoggsBlogs! This is a recent picture taken at Longhorn steakhouse in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 

Thank you for sticking around on this journey! We are thankful for each of our dear blog readers!

Odie 

40th Anniversary Of Davy and Kelly Boggs

Hey Friends,

Happy Sunday! Today is a very special day. I have written a few words below, but Mom has written the bulk of this post. I hope you enjoy it!

Happy 40th wedding anniversary to the best parents in the whole wide world! I watched you live out your marriage vows! You were together in the good times and in the bad! You loved each other through it all! 

Daddy, I love you and I miss you! I know you are having the best day ever! Thank you for being the example of a Godly husband and an awesome provider!

Mama, I love you and I am so proud of you! Today is still a day worth celebrating! 40 years is a marvelous milestone and you made it almost all the way! You were committed to Dad until the very end!

Odie

Please keep scrolling there's even more to come! I know you are going to  enjoy hearing from Mom!

40 years ago, I had no clue of the adventure my life was going to become. I was a kid with only an imagination of what life with Davy Boggs would be like. 

On June 29, 1985, we stepped out into the great unknown and began our life together.

As a child I loved traveling for vacation with my parents. I guess they didn’t know they were equipping me for my future.

Davy has taken me around the world in ministry and in travel for relaxation and recuperation. I cannot remember all the years he had traveled and preached over 300 nights a year.

He loved to take me to explore new places whether it be churches or National Parks or foreign countries. We shared a great love of travel.

I lost Davy on this road of companionship a few months short of 40 years. Now my journey has changed a bit. 

I am having to explore and travel in a different way without him beside me leading the way or cheering me on.

As I plan something for the future. I will never stop traveling with him in my heart and mind.

I hear his caution, advice and feel his affirmation as I try to go on. I am grateful for the 40 years he took care of me and I will always carry him with me.

I will celebrate this anniversary being grateful for Davy, a wonderful husband, friend and road warrior.

I want everyone to know how good he was to me.

I give glory to God for giving me Davy for the time I had him.

God is So Good.

Kelly Jo

Goodbye Green Machine

 Hey Friends,

Take a moment to rewind to May 2012 by reading Dad’s old post here. He introduced you to our newest mode of transportation.

The Envy Green 2006 Scion XB became a beloved family member. My parents drove it countless miles, and it was towed behind the BoggsMobile for 8.5 years. It also rode thousands of miles in the tent trailer for many years. 

We loved the car that we lovingly called The Green Machine. It was a blessing from God! We prayed for the right car, and God answered our prayers!

We loved the ability to load it down and haul a bunch of stuff. The little thing was so roomy. We got majorly spoiled. It was easy for me to get in and out of. The gas mileage was great! 

Some people hated the green color. Believe it or not, we adored it. We could easily spot our car in a crowded parking lot! 

By the end of 2020, the green machine was tired of road life! It was worn out and needed lots of TLC. We retired her to living at home. 

The KJo Jeep joined our fleet of vehicles, and the Green Machine lived on. Dad used it locally and could not part with the beloved family member. 

Bro. Whiffen in Florida loves Scion XBs, too. He always wanted The Green Machine, but it needs much work on many issues. 

A few months ago, we told him he could get it now. He plans to restore it. I can't wait to see it fixed up!

Florida and Ohio are not neighbors, so getting it to him was a little difficult with his and our schedules. 

Finally, we decided to have it transported to Florida. Now, he did not have to spend money, time and strength on a trip to Ohio to retrieve the car. 

Mom found a company, and the price was reasonable. We scheduled the pickup for sometime this week. 

On Monday morning, we found out the driver was on his way. Mom said he was a very nice young man. He worked diligently to load the car on his truck, which was not easy. 

Here are some pics I took from my porch. Mom had him load it in the Dodds Church 

parking lot. 

The transport driver left Ohio Monday afternoon. By Wednesday morning the car was delivered safe and sound to its new home. 

Thank God for a great vehicle! It served us well!

Thanks for reading!

Odie

A Monumental Day

 Hey Friends,

Thanks for visiting! I have something special to share with you today. We received a long awaited delivery yesterday. 

Back on Valentine's Day, we visited Maggard Memorials in Lebanon, Ohio. There, we found a wide array of options for the new stone that would mark Dad and Ali's shared final resting place. 

Their customer service was top-notch! We were so pleased. They helped us design a beautiful memorial to mark the grave. 

We placed the order, and it took several months to complete. Miami Cemetary only pours the footers for new stones twice a year, in spring and fall. 

Here is the little stone that had marked my sister's grave up until a few months ago. Dad had always wanted to get a large stone with room for three names. 

We were hoping the new stone would be ready by Ali's birthday in May. The  new stone and footer both were ready by then. 

Sadly, the weather did not cooperate as we had hoped. Torrential downpours had created lots of mud and soft ground in the cemetery. There was nothing that could be done about it.

This is what the spot looked like on Memorial Day. 

It has been sunny and dry for several days. We were hoping that it would soon be delivered!

Yesterday afternoon, my grandparents called to say the stone was in place. We went to the cemetery as quickly as we could to see it for ourselves!

Front- It is hard to get pictures without reflection the surroundings.

The Back that it is facing the road. Mom took this from the bench in our Boggs section.

The stone looks even better in person, than it did on a computer screen! I did not know  that I could think a head stone was so beautiful! Our entire family is thrilled with the outcome!

Here are some pictures after the flowers were added to the vases on either side. 

I love this beautiful memorial for my Daddy and my sister!  This is the inscription that we chose to put on the back. I think it sums up Dad’s life well!

"After a full life of service, Davy has gone home to his God."

The pictures on the front are two of our favorites. We struggled finding exactly what we wanted on the back. Mom came up with a solution that I love! She combined parts of three different photos to get the perfect one. 

The tent was part of a tent setup or teardown in Thomasville, Alabama. The BoggsMobile photo was taken at Bethany Revival Center in Wichita, Kansas. Actually, that is the last place Dad ever preached. The photo of Dad preaching was taken in Mexico. He was preaching under Bro. Larry Landress' tent.

We know Dad and Ali are not at Miami Cemetery in Corwin, Ohio. Only the shells that held them here were laid beneath the sod. I am glad that we can honor their memory! One great day the trumpet will sound, and the dead in Christ will rise to meet Him in the air! I am anxious to be reunited with them! Oh, glorious day!

That wraps up the story of a beautiful memorial. Thanks for reading! I will see you all tomorrow!

Odie

Ponderings 5/20/25

 Hey Friends,

Thanks for joining me again today. I did some reflecting here in yesterday's post. I appreciate the kind comments and response. 

Now, I am going to share something I have been pondering recently. Dad is never far from my mind, so he is the subject of my ponderings most of the time.

Our long time family friend, Danny Jansen from Tennessee, text to check on us. He also said he was wondering what Dad was doing in Heaven?

We love Danny and Kathy Jansen! They are special to us! Mom and I really appreciated him taking time to check on us!

His text sparked a conversation between Mom and me. What was going on in Heaven? I have ideas of what may be happening, but I cannot say for certain. Dad is worshipping Jesus! I think He has reunited with family and friends and meeting heroes of the faith!

There are several things I thought of that he is NOT doing right now. There is no more struggle with diets, blood sugar, breathing, swallowing, numbness, crippling fatigue, pain worry, fear, and so much more! 

Where do I stop? Here are a few more things that come to mind. No more schedules to worry about. No more grief. He is free of bus induced psychosis!

Oh, hallelujah, my heart rejoices for Dad. He fought his earthly fight and finished his race! He is free! As Christians we have something to look forward to!

Thanks for reading my ponderings for today! See y'all tomorrow. 

Odie

Cinco de Mayo 2025

Hey Friends,

Today is Cinco de Mayo, the fifth day of May. It is a Mexican holiday, which I believe is celebrated more in the USA than in Mexico.

It is Monday is not Throwback Thursday, but I had to share Dad's annual Cinco de Mayo photo. I think one of his all-time favorite pictures. If my memory is correct, Dad first posted this picture in May 2019. It was taken in Gainesville, Texas.

In honor of Cinco de Mayo and my Daddy. Here is this great picture that showcases his wonderful sense of humor! 

Thanks for reading! I hope this brought a smile to your face today as it did mine!

Odie

Our Friend Jeff Rowe

 Hey Friends,

Thanks for stopping by to visit. I appreciate your time. I am coming to you with a heavy heart. Yesterday afternoon we received heartbreaking news. 

Jeff Rowe has been a wonderful friend to our family for many years. He kept the BoggsMobile running and rolling. His knowledge and ability was a huge blessing to us!

Jeff finished his earthly life this week. We were shocked to hear this unexpected news! We are heartbroken to say goodbye to our friend!

Please join us in praying for his wife Kim Rowe, their family and the employees of East Tennessee Luxury Coach!

See you tomorrow. 

Odie

Foodie Friday 2/21/25

 Hey Friends,

Last week on Foodie Friday, here, I shared a favorite food memory with my Dad that he capture on video.

Well, the very next day we visited another family favorite buffet. He videoed that experience and shared it too. 

We loved Berry’s Seafood Buffet! They had a place to park the bus, the food is wonderful and the atmosphere is great! We stopped, whenever possible. Maybe Mom and I can go back soon! 

I thought it was fitting to share the video here for this week's Foodie Friday installment. I hope you enjoy.

See you tomorrow!

Odie

Foodie Friday Ice Cream 1/31/25

 Hey Friends,

This Is Odie. Thanks for stopping by! Today is Foodie Friday. I am going back a few weeks for this picture. Early in January, we went to Tennessee to empty the BoggsMobile.

We were blessed to have both Papaw Eugene Boggs and Papaw Danny Morgan with us! They helped us so much! 

We all dearly love ice cream, so we had to enjoy some together during the trip. Nothing is better than Ice cream with my Papaws! I love these men and am grateful to have them in my life.

See you later!

Odie