COUSINS

NOTE: Please do not pass on this information about Larry and Jill without permission. For family use only. 

Larry is the International Coordinator for Field Ministries. Larry and Jill are both instrumental in reaching people who do not have the word of God in their tongue and hearts. As younger missionaries, Larry and Jill and their two young children entered a remote Indonesian village and embraced the people as they studied their culture and language. Twenty some years later they had not only written scriptures in these people's language, but a reproducing church of believers that is continues to serve the Lord today. Larry and Jill are now equipping others to do the same. Their jobs literally take them to the ends of the earth.

The Office

Kevin in with Larry in his office.

Larry is preparing to leave for a trip to South Asia tomorrow morning. He will be assisting several missionary couples who have completed initial language training to locate sites for their ministry.  

The Office

Yesterday Jill arrived home from five weeks in Brazil.

This is Jill's office. She is showing her collection of dolls she has accumulated in her years traveling abroad.

Jill is one of a kind: she gives workshops in several continents to groups of missionaries. God uses Jill to stress the urgency of getting Bible translations into the hands and hearts of people with other tongues. She also gives tools to be effective in this translation labor of love. 

A joyful melody

Peggy and I are sitting in Jill's living room as she explains God's provision. An outline of a piano had been taped to her living room floor. She asked God to provide her with a piano. This baby grand is a picture of our Father's interest in the details of our lives.

This stork wanted the minnows in the bucket next to me. After a balmy afternoon in an Orlando park, I think I should take up bird-watching as a hobby.

Our world in Epcot

Disney's Epcot sphere with Kevin's head in the foreground. Kevin's cap holds several awards his sons have given him. On this trip, Michael gave his dad this Superintendent's pin for the United States Air Force Academy; Michael had  earned this pin for top honors in all three areas at the academy: academic, military, and athletic.

Worlds coming together

The same week Bill, Peggy, Kevin, and I were at Orlando, our friends (the Johnsons and Kendalls) were there for a pastors' conference. We four couples spent an evening together at Disney's Coronado resort. The balmy weather, lush plant life, and lifetime friends made a memory.

Jared's 1st Mission in Afghanistan

This Belgium pilot flew up beside Jared, gesturing a peace sign. During his first mission, Jared's KC135 refueled several fighter planes. Jared said he was deeply satisfied assisting in close air support, directly saving lives.

Jared heard about the many visits we have had with family and friends. His reflective silence said to me that Jared would love to share these family experiences with us. Thank you Jared for serving.

Bill's 62nd birthday party

Bill had all of his living siblings for a rare get together at his birthday party. Here they are in birth order:

- Terry Tanner

- Bill Tanner

- Kevin Tanner

- Nancy (Tanner) Metzger

     Note in the upper right background the log wall of the original cabin his home was made from.  His Georgia home was spared during Sherman's March in the Civil War.

Our hostess, Peggy Tanner, has prepared chicken a la king for the guests attending her husband Bill Tanner's 62nd birthday party. Peggy is a Southern Belle known for her memory-making delicious meals and generous hospitality.

Kevin and I are enjoying the 70 degree weather in front of Bill Tanner's Conyers, Georgia home. Bill sold his land to a developer, moved his home across the street and then totally upgraded it.

Today we will help Kevin's brother Bill celebrate his 62nd birthday.

Newlyweds in Dayton

Kevin and I enjoyed a visit with Michael and Katie in their new home at Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio. Katie specializes in cupcakes - making them from scratch whenever an occasion arises, and carrying them in a special cupcake container to share with her friends. Michael was putting the final touches on his thesis; I have read his draft but cannot intelligently talk to you about his research. Our nation is blessed to have him working on our defense system.

Meet the Johnsons

Kevin and I love to visit our friends, the Johnsons, in Galesburg, IL.  We originally met Joyce and Lee when we moved to Jamestown, ND, in 1978. When we moved to Illinois, they followed us! So our children have enjoyed growing up as cousins. 

This is the Warren family:

Jeff is the dad

Charlotte is the little cutie.

Alicia (Johnson) is the Mom. She and Perry were born 3 weeks apart.

Alicia, who is a speech therapist in the Galesburg, IL school system, is expecting another child this summer. Alicia enjoys doing sign language with Charlotte.

This is Debbie Johnson and her beau Adam Welty. Debbie is an entrepreneur; she has started her own beauty salon in Galesburg, IL. Adam is completing dental school and will begin dental practice in Galesburg, IL this summer.

Debbie was born 3 weeks before Ryan.

This is Blake Johnson and his wife Lydia. We are celebrating Lydia's birthday in Normal, IL. Blake lived with us in Manhattan, IL while he was pursuing some of his college studies. Lydia and Blake met during his stay with us. Blake is now studying for his doctorate at the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana, IL.

Naomi Johnson is talking on the cell phone to Perry as he returns from work in Las Vegas. Naomi lived with us for a while in Manhattan, IL when she was practicing her nursing career. Shortly after that, Naomi went to Physician Assistant school at Yale. She is now a PA in Galesburg, IL.

The day Naomi was born, I told Joyce that another child (Jared) would be joining our family.

A look into our past

This arch welcomed us to Dixon, IL where we raised our family from 1981 to 1985. Dixon was also the home town of President Ronald Reagan. 

Beginnings

 Jared and Ryan were born on the same birthing room at Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital in Dixon, Illinois.

Kevin and I are visiting in the home of Ray and Irene Cossairt, Dixon friends that we first met at church. 

Cossarit's had a large pet turkey that attacked toddler Perry; Perry did as he was taught - he spit until his mouth was dry as the turkey continued to attack him. Ray said the turkey dressed out at 40 pounds - the largest his  butcher had ever seen.

Our Dixon Home

This ranch home on Palmyra Road in Dixon, IL was where we raised our family from May 1981 to February 1985. Both Jared and Ryan were born while we lived here. We moved to this home after living in Jamestown, ND for 2 1/2 years. Kevin was rehired by Northern Illinois Gas Company (now known as NICOR). In the back yard, Perry and Jared had a tree house and sand box. Kevin super-insulated this home; in fact, the gas company did an inspection on our home to make sure he had not bypassed the gas meter. We could heat this house with a candle.

Visiting the Tanners in Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Kevin and I shared a family supper with the Tanner clan in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. We enjoyed time with Kim Tanner, Jeremy/Mandy Tanner, and Nate/Schanina Bennett. 

Mandy and Jeremy Tanner

Sharon and Kim Tanner

Nate and Schanina Bennett. Schanina is the daughter of Vance/Kim and sister of Jeremy.