Throwback Thursday 1/23/25

 Hey Friends,

Thanks for stopping by to say hello. It is wonderful to have you visit us.

Today is Throwback Thursday. I have some pictures for you from when I was a wee little girl. They are not the best quality. Of course, we were using a 35mm camera back then. These prints are many years old now!

These were taken in the 1990s when we first visited the Blue Ridge Parkway. Our family visited this beautiful part of the country many times after this trip. 

Through the years, we have gained so many wonderful memories in this area. Not only did we collect memories, but we also made a lot of friends. Those friends are still near and dear to our hearts today.

I hope you enjoy a glimpse into the past when we were all a lot younger. See you tomorrow!

Odie

Foodie Friday 1/17/25

 Hey Friends,

How are you all doing? I hope you are doing well today. I am happy to report that Mom and I are doing very good. The Lord is our strength and our help daily!

Have you seen our previous post this week? If you have not read them yet, please take a moment and look black. 

This has been a week of reflection for us. Here are the link to the posts from Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. We also posted a new video to our Boggs Family Ministries YouTube channel yesterday. I have posted it below. You can also find it in yesterday's post.

As most of you know, yesterday was Dad's first Heavenly birthday. We spent the day honoring Dad and remembering him.

Thank you to everyone who reached out to us yesterday, letting us know that you were praying for us! We did read each message and found it encouraging! I apologize that I did not get to respond to each text message or comment individually. I will try to get that done today.

It was great to spend time with our family yesterday! We thought it was only fitting to enjoy a good steak from Longhorn on his birthday. Longhorn was his favorite chain restaurant steak. His favorite order was an outlaw ribeye from Longhorn. Mom and I split one yesterday. 

Just as I suspected the food was delicious and the family time was even more precious! I also predicted that we would laugh a lot, cry some and reminisce even more. We did all three of those things! I think it was a fabulous way to spend Dad’s birthday, surrounded by those that we love!

Mom and I finished out the day by going to church with our church family at DRPC! Church was the normal thing to do on his birthday! If I had to guess Dad spent more of his birthdays going to church than not. 

Today being Foodie Friday on the blog, I thought it only right to share yesterday's pictures with you. 

I hope you enjoy! Let me know if it flings or craving on you for a Longhorn!

See you back here tomorrow.

Odie

Happy Birthday Daddy 2025

 Hey Friends,

Thank you for dropping by for a visit! We have been in reflection mode this week. A couple of big days are here this week, back to back. 

January 15th, last year, Daddy came home from the hospital after the stroke. Click here to visit yesterday’s post

January 16th is my Dad’s birthday! Dad did not like a lot of attention on his birthday. He always wanted to make a big deal about mine or Mom’s, but not his! A blog post is just about all I could get by doing for him.

He does not get a choice this year! We are spending today honoring the great man I got to call Daddy!

Mom and I sat down and reflected on Dad’s last days on earth. He taught us to love God and His greatness always! Dad’s love for his Great God was evident until the end. 

Also, we included Dad singing If You Could See Me Now. This video was recorded as part of a church service at my house in April of 2020. We also played it at Dad’s celebration of life. Some people have requested to hear the song again. I figured his birthday was a great day to share it again.

I will close with a note for my Daddy. See you tomorrow. 

Happy birthday, Daddy! I love you, “More than a hog loves slop”! You will forever be my superhero! 

This is the first time in my lifetime that I could not celebrate your birthday with you in person. Over the years we have celebrated your birthday in a myriad of states and ways! You may not physically be here, but we are still marking this extra special date on the calendar. 

In a while we will enjoy a delicious dinner with several family members in your honor! I know there will be tears, laughter and lots of memories! I so wish you could be here with us! You are always dearly missed!

 Love Your Baby Girl, Odie!

Remembering Januarary 15th 2024

 Hey Friends,

Welcome to a frigid Wednesday check in. I hope you are staying warm if you are in the cold areas of the USA.

January 15th, 2024, was on Monday. The weather was also an arctic blast! Something happened on that date in history that still warms our hearts! We still look back on this day and rejoice!

Dad was released from his stay in Atrium Hospital and in-patient rehab! The brainstem stroke happened on December 29th, 2023, and Dad was rushed to the hospital for treatment. He remained there for several days, working toward recovery.

One of the many miracles God worked during that time was insurance coverage was approved for Dad to receive in-patient rehab. He was on the rehab floor for 11 days! Daddy worked so hard during rehab and beyond. He was determined to regain everything!

Dad requested to leave the hospital in dress clothes. He said, "I did not come in here with much dignity, so I want to leave with dignity." Mom made that happen. He left there looking good!

Mom and I were overjoyed at Dad's progress and help that came only from the Lord! We were so very proud of Dad then, and we still are proud today! He worked excruciatingly hard to be the best patient he could be!

Dad did not want a lot of attention or hoopla about his rehab release. We had to make him stop and ring the bell on the way out! His release was a victory for him, our family and the hospital staff! Go home day was worth celebrating!

We are so thankful for all the fantastic staff at Atrium Hospital! They were so kind to our family! Most of all took fabulous care of Dad! We can not adequately thank them for their loyalty, care, and concern for us! Many wonderful people were there every single day!

Katie, Tracy, Phylis and Emma were the therapists who helped Dad conquer so many tremendous obstacles! We left that hospital stay with a great appreciation for them and friends for life! Pictured below is Katie on his last day of in-patient rehab.

Today, a year ago, it was a giant milestone. We wanted to look back on a joyous occasion and remember the great times! Thanks for reading! See you tomorrow.

Odie

Thankful For Our Pastor And Church Family

Hey Friends,

Thanks for visiting with me today. It is good to see you again! If you are new to the blog, welcome. Please stop by every day. I am posting daily blogs, hoping to give you a glimpse into the lives of Kelly Jo, Odie and Boggs Family Ministries.

Today, I am here with a heart full of gratitude! It is impossible for me to tell you all the ways God has blessed us in the last 9 weeks since life suddenly took an unplanned turn! 

Mom and I are incredibly grateful! God has been so good to us, and many people have been Jesus' hands and feet. Their help and prayers are invaluable to us. Every call, text, email, comment, piece of snail mail and hug is greatly appreciated. I pray for God's blessings on each person!

We stop and thank the Lord multiple times a day! The future is still unknown, but we are doing our best to walk daily in His grace and plan for that particular day!

I want to publicly thank Pastor Bennie Sutherland and the Dryden Road Pentecostal Church. Our Pastor and church family have rallied around us, and we are overwhelmed by their love! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! We love our church family!

The loss of my Dad has been painful for our Pastor and church! I wish I could ease your pain, too! Thank you for standing with us! We are suffering together, and we will persevere together!

Bro. B.D. Sutherland has been our Pastor and DRPC has been our church home for 36 years. They have been with us through good times and bad. I do not know where we would be without them!

Dad taught me the importance of a Pastor and a church home. He lived by example, teaching me to be submissive to a Pastor and work hard to stay connected to a church family.

Over the years, we have gained many road churches that feel like home. We have special connections with several dear Pastors. Their friendship, love, counsel, prayers, and support have been needed and appreciated! Boggs Family Ministries has many great men of God in our corner. We love them all!

The top of the list was right at home, where we belong: Pastor B.D. Sutherland and DRPC. Today, I am extra grateful to belong to DRPC!

See you right here tomorrow!

Odie

Tribute To Davy By The Walker Family

 Hey Friends,

Thank you for visiting with us today. It is always good to chat with my friends!

Two full months have passed since Dad reached his Heavenly home. We are still trying to wrap our feeble minds around this reality. 

What is normal life? Dad was our life. Each day is a process. Digging out of what someone called an “earthquake” that rocked our world last year.

Last night, I spent a moment reading some of the tributes that have been sent my way. They warm my heart! 

Dad was well loved and touched countless lives! He impacted the world for good the best he could. Dad was always searching for one more lost soul or hurting person. He loved to bring a smile to somebody else's face. Mom and I had the privilege of having a front seat to witness it firsthand.

Today, I have chosen to share a tribute posted by the Tony and Annie Walker Family of Moultrie, Georgia. They initially posted this online in November.

We cherish our fun times with their family! Bro. Tony and Sis. Annie are special friends to the Boggs Family. We do not talk all the time, but our connection is real. We love them!

The Walkers' sons, Dallon and Landon, always held a special place in Dad’s heart! Dad was thrilled to hear from either of them and know they were working for God with their families! He would often show me pictures of their children!

Pictured Below is Davy with Bro. Tony Walker. This picture was taken at First Assembly in Douglas, Georgia.

The Walker Family can finish this post out with their tribute. See you right back here tomorrow. 

Odie

“ To know Bro. Davy Boggs was to love him. You couldn't help it. He had a way of drawing you in and making you feel like part of his family. He, Sis. Kelly Jo and Odie have blessed our family and church so many times. I would always get so excited when I knew they were coming for revival because they lifted the load from our shoulders and encouraged us in so many ways.

And we had FUN!! From building towers at every restaurant, listening to their many fun adventures, and Sis. Kelli Jo's Chinese imitations, they were just a joy to be around. Bro. Davy always made my boys feel special. He would sit and take up time with them and talk with them. Those times meant so much to Tony and I because PK's need to feel seen too, and Bro. Davy did just that.

A BIG hole has been left in the Walker family's hearts. This world will never be the same without Bro. Davy. I know He has finally reached that land of which he sung and preached about, but he will be missed.

Please lift Sis. Kelly Jo and Odie up to the Lord, and pray for all of Bro. Davy's friends that will miss him so” 💔

Foodie Friday Katz Deli

Hey Friends,

Welcome to another edition of Foodie Friday. Today, we are featuring a family favorite restaurant: Katz Deli in Texas. We first tasted its goodness in October 2013. We love their Reuben sandwich.

Dad and I were always planning our next stop at Katz! We were supposed to be going in this spring. Our previous trips in 2013 and 2020 were documented here on the blog! Click here to see those posts!

Here is something Dad wrote about Katz in October 2013. It is absolutely true, and we still laugh about it.

"We have been eyeing this place and their monster Reuben sandwiches for a long time. When Bro. Goodwin asked me to come for revival I instantly decided it was the right thing to do since it was close to this heavenly Reuben."

Last month, we went to the Houston, Texas area for business. Steve and Karen joined us for the trip. I knew Katz was a must on our to-do list. Dad always wanted Uncle Steve to try a Katz Reuben, too!

Mom, me, Steve, Karen and Bro. Don Goodwin had a wonderful lunch at Katz! It was so good to be there with family and friends! We did a lot of reminiscing about good times with Dad!

Below are the pictures we took of our lunches. I am hungry just looking at these!

Stuffed cheesy potatoes were amazing!

I loved having Uncle Steve with me at Katz! I am so thankful for my Uncle Steve!

Thanks for stopping by to visit with us. See you tomorrow!

Odie

Throwback Thursday, 1/9/2025

 Hey Friends,

It is time for another photo from the archives. Mom sent this picture to me last week. I do not know the time and place it was snapped.

I love it because it is a picture of Dad and two of our wonderful friends, Bro. Mike Crafton and Bro. Kurt McCrorey. Both men have been part of our lives for a long time and hold a special place in our hearts!

Bro. Mike Crafton and his family have been our friends since I was a small girl. We reconnected with them while we were living in Kansas. They lived in Joplin, Missouri. Our families would visit the same concerts and revivals without planning it. 

Soon the three Crafton sisters and myself were super close. They became like my sisters We fellowshipped every chance we could find or create!😀

Bro.  Mike and Sis. Denise, Mom and Dad Crafton, just claimed me as their older daughter! I still love my Crafton family! Their crew now includes two son-in-laws and 7 amazing grandchildren!

Bro. Kurt and Sis Angie McCrorey became dear friends of ours in the early 2000’s. Our pastor told Dad we needed to get to know them, and he was right!

From the beginning of our first evening spending time with them we bonded. The friendship was more like family. They were with us during lots of good times and rough patches. 

It is hard to remember life without the McCrorey family! We watched their children grow up. Now they are married and have their own families. Where has time gone?!

I know they helped us move three different times. Bro. Kurt has been part of our ministry since BFM was incorporated. We are so thankful for his friendship and assistance!

We have so many great memories with the Crafton and McCrorey families! We love and appreciate all of them! Both families traveled many miles and hours to be in services with us!

I am so thankful for the excellent friends God placed in our path! We value these wonderful people! I will never forget their friendship and dedication to our family!

Thank you for joining us! See you tomorrow!

Odie

Foodie Friday - J Alexanders

Hey Friends,

I hope you are having a great day. We have had a good but eventful week. I will share more about it on a later day. Thank you for your continued prayers. We have needed them. 

It is time for another Foodie Friday installment. Today, we are rewinding to last Friday afternoon when we visited one of our favorite restaurants. 

J Alexanders was one of Dad’s top favorites! He especially loved their specialty prime rib. Dad always requested an end piece of the prime rib! 

We decided to enjoy a good meal with some family in memory of Dad. Also, Mom and I wanted to thank you a few people for helping us out so much!

Steve, Karen, Baby Carson, Lisa, Mamaw and Papaw were our dinner mates for the day. We had a wonderful time with family and reliving fond memories. All while enjoying scrumptious food. 

 

The meal started with appetizers of deviled eggs and spinach con queso.

Mamaw had to help Karen eat, while Carson drank is bottle. I hope Carson’s was prime rib flavored formula. 😂

Then we moved on to the entrees. A few of us had the prime rib. Mom has pork loin, a couple of our crew had a salad that looked too beautiful to eat and Papaw had a nice steak! The sides we chose were broccoli, smashed potatoes and a baked potato.

We all left well satisfied. Happy to have enjoyed our time at J Alexanders! I will close with the final food pictures for this post. 

I hope you do not ruin your device from salivating over this delicious meal! See you next time.

Odie

Throwback Thursday 1/2/2025

 Hey Friends,

Thank you for stopping by to visit with us. Today is Throwback Thursday. I went way back in the archives for these pictures. 

These are from Dad’s younger years. I thought you might enjoy seeing him as a boy and a young man. I love these photos!

Thank you, Lauren Osborn, for digitizing many old photographs for us. I treasure these pictures. 

See you tomorrow. 

Odie

A Very Boggs Christmas 2024

Hey Friends,

2025

Welcome to 2025! Happy New Year. May God bless you greatly this year! 

We are walking and rolling, although I am walking on the inside 😊, in uncharted territory. Thanks for sticking with us as we figure out life!

Mom and I really appreciate the positive feedback on our Christmas YouTube video. Subscribe to the Boggs Family Ministries channel. Turn on your post notifications. We hope to post more videos in the future, and hopefully, YouTube will notify you when we post. 

Please pray for us. We desire wisdom, guidance and strength from the Lord. He is our daily help, and we depend on Him!

A Very Boggs Christmas 2024

Last Wednesday afternoon, we gathered at the fellowship hall next door to my house. There we had A Very Boggs Christmas 2024.

It was wonderful spending time with family. We laughed, cried, ate, and played music and games. 

Most of all, we cherished family time. These days, we hug our family tighter and more frequently. I am taking every opportunity to tell my family I love them! I refuse to take my family for granted! We are blessed to have a fantastic family surrounding us!

Gran and Papaw Morgan and Jacqueline Coffman joined us for the festivities. We love it when they grace us with their presence at a Boggs family function!

Breakfast was on the  Christmas dinner menu. Everybody contributed, and there were too many yummy dishes to name them. The meal was remarkable! 

Below are my pictures from Christmas Day 2024. I also included some more taken by different family members. I hope you enjoy them. 

See you next time. 

Odie