Donna, April 13, 1977

We were living in SC, working on developing a "mission farm," we had a big garden, raised some beef and goats, etc. And that is where we were when you decided you wanted to join the family. No, you weren't born there, but were conceived there. Nice place. I loved the farm setting and so did Dixie. You may remember seeing the picture of her in the tall daisies and the pig pen. That is where that way taken.
About Christmas time we decided the farm was going to take too many years to really get going and your Daddy really felt bad taking support from people and not seeing the result that needed be seen. Long story, more details for later if you are interested. But, we came home to WV at Christmas and stayed. So, you were born at Holzer Hospital in Galipolis,OH. And the funniest story ever surrounding your birth.
Moving, of course, added the stress to your Daddy of "now I need a job." I had the luxury of being a stay-at-home Mom for Dixie and soon-to-be you. Daddy had applied at the bus garage and needed to take the driving test the morning of the 13th. I wasn't feeling the best, just started some labor pains, so he drove me over to the clinic and dropped me off so he could get that test taken care of. I got out of the car, walked into the front entrance, and down the hall, stopping ever so often when the contractions came because they were NOT comfortable. I finally reached the OB-GYN desk and told them why I was there. The nurse brought me back to the examing room. As she is asking me questions when a contraction came I would ask her to "wait a minute." She said, "Are your contractions that bad?" And from there everything was in high gear and barely made it to the delivery table before you made your way into the big, wide, world.
So, when Daddy finished his test and checked on me, you were already a permanent part of our family.
And, I might add, you always will be. Over and over you have made us proud parents and I don't expect that to stop. You did well in school, college, grad school, and pastor's wife, and now missionary teacher. The list goes on and on.
And I want to add I am so glad for the addition to the family on Dec 31, 2005. Wesley, you are great and we love you so much.