BRANSON MINI-REUNION IN AUGUST!

Moy's health did not allow her to join her siblings in Branson in August. Here's a recent picture of Moy with Robbie as they enjoy each other's company.

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First generation siblings, children of Norbon Palmer Sikes, Sr. and Emma Antha Gibbs Sikes, who were able to meet in Branson were Jack, Don, Bob, Kathryn, and Barry.

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Joined by their spouses, they make a terrific looking group. Bob/Janet, Jack/Robbie, Don/Bessie, Barry/Ruth, and Kathryn.

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So, we heard that there were second and third generation folk present? Anyone have any pictures to prove it? Send them to Patti! We heard you had second generation: Stacy, Carol, Sharla, and Kent. Third generation was Caleb, Krista, and James. Anyone else? What about someone writing a paragraph or two about what you all did?

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LINDSEY RINE MARRIES!

Leon and Billie have had another grandaughter marry! Congratulations to Dad and Mom - Dave and Janie! We rounded up some pics for all of you waiting to see...more pics of their June 20th OKC wedding will be forthcoming!

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Welcome to the family Derrick!

Congratulations to you both!

May God richly bless your lives together!

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Ephesians 5:28-31

"...husbands ought to love their wives

as their own bodies.

He who loves his wife loves himself.

After all, no one ever hated his own body,

but he feeds and cares for it,

just as Christ does the church-

for we are members of his body.

"For this reason a man

will leave his father and mother

and be united to his wife,

and the two will become one flesh."

CASEY SIKES' MARRIES!

Our own Casey Sikes married Jesse Crofton

on Saturday, July 11, 2009

in Minnesota!

Congratulations!

God's Richest Blessings on you both!

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

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"Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast,

it is not proud.

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,

it is not easily angered,

it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects,

always trusts,

always hopes,

always perseveres.

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Love never fails."

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Nebraska Cousin Cassandra made a road trip with mom, Brenda, to meet up with Michigan cousin's Brianna and Brandon (and, of course, Dad and Mom - Brian and Shawna).

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Of course, the three cousins joined their parents to pose for this photo with Casey's Daddy and Mom, Stacy and Carol.


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Jesse and Casey, we're glad you plan to join us next year for the reunion. Thanks for already making your reservations!

GARETT'S GRADUATION AND FUTURE PLANS

Garett graduated on May 17th from York High School. YEAH!! Congratulations! We're so thankful for you, Garett!

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Future plans?

• attend the University of Nebraska at Kearney beginning August 20th
• room with cousin, Andrew Carpenter

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Watch out UNK!!!!!!!

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Here is Garett with Papa and Mama Sikes on either side of him. Ecstatic Mom Dawn and Grandma Carpenter are on the left. Proud Dad Stewart is on the right.

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"Commit your works to the LORD,

And your plans will be established.

The LORD has made everything for its own purpose..."

Proverbs 16:3-4

2010 REUNION PLANS FIRMED UP!

It's official! Many of you have reserved your cabin or your lodge rooms. This is the week to send in your deposit! Then, we wait for a whole year! Thank you Brenda for all the amazing organizational work to pull this off. Thank you Jack and Robbie for reserving the rec hall for meals, games, devos, visiting, and gatherings.
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Call Mahoney to make your reservations today:

402.944.2523.

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Email Brenda

if you have any other questions

about lodging.

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SIKES REUNION 2010

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July 5 - 9

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Mahoney State Park, Nebraska

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JOSH MARCUM IN TRAGIC WRECK!

As many of you know, a bus and driver were hired to take a group of church youth in Bolivia to a retreat. The bus went down an embankment with terrible consequences. Three young ladies are dead. Josh has 3 broken ribs. Many others are receiving medical treatment now.
Julie tells the details clearly on their blog that you can link to up close to the top of the right sidebar. Please pray everyday for Josh, Julie, girls, and their church family as they heal spiritually, physically, and emotionally.

Hebrews 4:16

"Let us therefore draw near with confidence

to the throne of grace,

that we may receive mercy

and may find grace to help

in time of need."

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CONGRATULATIONS DR. SIKES!

Jordan and Jacqueline have graduated!

Chloe is so thankful and proud!

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The Chicago Civic Opera House

was the elegant backdrop

for this wonderful occasion.

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Congratulations Dr. Jordan Sikes;

Doctor of Podiatric Medicine.
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Congratulations Dr. Jacqueline Sikes;

PhT degree (Putting Hubby Through).

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"As it is written,

"How beautiful are the feet

of those who bring good news!"

Romans 10

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They'll be moving to the Kansas City, Missouri area.

Jordan will do his residency

at the Truman Medical Center

for 3 years beginning July 1.

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Keep up with their move, new home ownership, new church and new job by clicking on their blog link up at the top of the right sidebar. GIGATTAATTGIG!

"...your feet fitted with the readiness
that comes from the gospel of peace."
Ephesians 6
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"Therefore,
strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.
Make level paths for your feet,
so that the lame may not be disabled,
but rather healed.

Make every effort to live in peace with all men

and to be holy..."

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MAY: BIRTHDAYS, GRADUATIONS, AND 2010 REUNION PLANNING...

1. BIRTHDAYS: There are a lot of May birthdays in this family! In fact, wouldn't it be nice to have a calendar that we could just access each month to see who in the fam has a birthday. I'll try to get one on this blog soon. But, in the meantime, your job will be to send Patti your family birthdays, just month and the day's number. So, Steddon would be 12/2 and Patti would be 12/3. Click here to send your birthday lists to Patti: transformedminds@comcast.net
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2. GRADUATIONS: send Patti your pics at the same e-mail! They'll be posted!
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3. REUNION PLANNING: Brenda is taking charge of the reservations for this year. Your decisions about next July need to be this July. Contact Brenda at ssikes1@neb.rr.com Jack and Robbie have graciously put down the advance monies needed for the "rec / gathering hall".

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Psalms 40:1-4

I waited patiently for the LORD;

And He inclined to me, and heard my cry.

He brought me up out of the pit of destruction,

out of the miry clay;

And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.

And He put a new song in my mouth,

a song of praise to our God;

Many will see and fear,

And will trust in the LORD.
How blessed is the man (and woman)

who have made the LORD their trust..."

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AN AWARD AT THE PENTAGON!

Our own Brad Leonard will be honored today at the Pentagon. Brad will receive his award from a 3 Star General. The award?

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Civilian of the Quarter

for the Headquarters of the United States Air Force
Deputy Chief of Staff

for Logistics, Installations and Mission Support
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This means that in the midst of working with many much older than he is, Brad has shown a superior committment and service via his 32 year old servant heart. We're SO super proud of you, Brad!! Thank you for modeling your life after the chiefest of servants. Thank you, Vanessa, for going way over the top in supporting Brad in this appointment to DC for the past two years. We're praying for you both and your little family as you return to Colorado Springs this year.

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God Is Good All The Time

And All The Time God Is Good!

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GIGATTAATTGIG!

IT'S A GIRL!!!

Chloe Mae Sikes

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Born April 9, 2009
Weight: 8 lbs.
Height: 22 and ½ inches

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Parents: Jordan and Jacqueline

(Chloe's their first child!)

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Grandparents: Pops and Gigi

alias - Steve and Patti

(Chloe's their first grandchild!)

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Great-grandparents: Papa and Mama

alias - Jack and Robbie

(Chloe's their 32nd great-grandchild

and #77 descendant)

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CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL...INCLUDING...

Aunt Jessica

Uncle Caleb and Aunt Krista

Aunt Crystal

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It's a boy!

PARENTS: Shayne and Amy (Tabor) Rutherford

GRANDPARENTS: Gary and Donna Tabor

GREAT-GRANDPARENTS: Leon and Billie (Sikes) Tabor

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Rece Tabor Rutherford
Born February 28, 2009
8lbs 15oz
20 1/2"

Here is Raef enjoying being BIG BROTHER!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU!

May He be taught the wisdom of God's ways!

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JUST A "HEADS UP"!

It will soon be time to begin the plans for our 2010 Sikes Reunion. We'll ask everyone to put down a minimal downpayment in about 3 months. We'll keep you posted! Thoughts are to reserve a time in 2010 toward the end of June...beginning of July... Any opinions? Send them to Steve and Patti at: transformedminds@comcast.net

BARRY AND LEON ON THE MEND...

I apologize for not keeping everyone informed about Barry and Leon's surgeries. Join me in praising God for them both being on the mend! I'm so thankful for Mama Robbie keeping us all connected the way that she does through her emails. Please know that each of you are prayed for and honored daily. Keep living for Jesus!

WE'VE LOST ANOTHER IN A LITTLE OVER A MONTH!

Orville James “Jim” Cox, age 85, of Elephant Butte, New Mexico, passed away on January 24, 2008, in Truth or Consequence, N.M, after a lengthy illness. Jim was born in Three Sands, Oklahoma in 1923 to Dee and Letha Cox. As a teenager, he left home to join the Army Air Force during the Second World War and won honors as an “expert marksman.” He later taught marksmanship to others in the service.
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Jim returned to civilian life after the war with an honorable discharge and worked toward a bachelor’s degree in education. It was during his studies that he met, and later married, Imogene Hurst. After teaching in Oklahoma, Jim and Imogene moved to New Mexico where he taught woodshop and coached various sports at Gallup High School.
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He enjoyed many years of teaching and coaching at the school and enjoyed even more the fond recollection of numerous stories about students he was blessed with having during his career. He always had a smile when recounting some of the antics of his students. One such student recently conveyed: “I have such fond memories of
Mr. Cox. He walked the halls of the high school with such presence that we all knew
we should toe the line!”
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A strong believer in education, Jim completed several courses beyond a master’s degree. He also received a “teacher of the year” award and, after his retirement, was honored by the Gallup Chamber of Commerce for his dedication to the education of his students.
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After the death of Imogene in 1972, he married Kathryn (Sikes) Lufkin in 1981. Kathryn was also an educator with the school district. Jim and Kathryn retired to Elephant Butte in 1992 where he was able to take full advantage of his avid interest in fishing. Although he missed Gallup, he often mentioned that there was hardly a body of water in that part of the state that you couldn’t throw a rock across. The lake at Elephant Butte was like an ocean compared to the water around Gallup.
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Jim continued his interest in woodworking well after retirement. If not fishing, he could usually be found working on a woodworking project in his shop where he was adept at fine cabinetry making.
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Jim is survived by his wife Kathryn, two sons (Jim and wife Maureen; and Steve and wife Nancy), a granddaughter (Kathleen Cox), a stepson (Paul Lufkin and wife Kim), two step-grandchildren (Tim and Christina Lufkin), a brother (Cameron Cox and wife Sally) and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his older sister (Lucille Bradshaw).
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There are no planned memorial services. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Veterans’ Memorial Park in Truth or Consequences or to Manuelito Navajo Children’s Home in Gallup.