Tuesday, February 05, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JUNGLE MOM!

This is the first prayer card Rita, a.k.a. Jungle Mom, and Clint, a.k.a. Yekwana Man, had printed. You can see how young they were when they first began their journey as missionaries.

Yes folks, today our beloved Jungle Mom from The Jungle Hut is turning __ __ years old! I wanted to get this posted earlier today, but later is better than not doing it at all. As most of you know, Jungle Mom is my baby sister. We haven't had the opportunity to spend very many of our adult birthdays together due to living on different continents. She and her hubby have been missionaries in Venezuela for years and now are moving on to Paraguay. Well, it turns out that we weren't able to be together on her birthday this year either, even though she and her family are home on furlough. I called her cell phone to wish her a happy birthday, as she was on the road to Jacksonville, FL where the family will participate in a mission's conference there for the rest of this week. As we spoke on the phone, she passed my exit and informed me that she was waving to me as they sped by!!!







I thought it would be fun to share some photos of my sis, (Rita) in honor of her birthday. Kim and Teresa, there are a couple I'm including here that will give you girls giggles!! Enjoy! Oh and Happy Birthday Rita. I'm so very proud of you. You have accomplished so much in your life already. I'm excited to see what the Lord has in store for your life from this point forward! LOVE YOU! Maybe on your way back into town, you can actually STOP off at my exit and have lunch or early supper with us! Call when you're near.







Rita holding baby Jackie. (Missionary in Paraguay now with her own 2 girlies!) Also in this photo are Clint Vernoy, his brother, Ed with his wife Debbie and son Jared.


Rita in center, holding her youngest, Jayde. She and Clint recieved a wonderful blessing at this Cathedral concert. You can see the late Roger Bennett here at his music table. When he discovered that Rita and Clint were missionaries, he gave them loads of free music from his table. Roger went home to be with the Lord after a long battle with leukemia. What a wonderful Christian testimony this talented musician and song writer maintained to the end.


Rita in her high school A.C.E. uniform.

Rita is in back wearing red shirt. These girls were coming out of the ladies room at the local Dairy Queen - West Virginia! Hi Teresa! (Front gal)

Rita, Kim, and Debbie at Bill Rice Ranch, summer camp

This is one of my all time favorite photos of my little sister.


Rita posing in McDonald's playground, Arcadia, FL with one of my former students.
Riffe family photo. Rita is in front next to our little brother. I'm standing up in back. FYI: This photo was taken to put on our first prayer card as we were going to Australia as missionaries.

Me with my new baby sister!
1965

Mom holding my baby sister as I look on. This was in our home in Fortuna, CA

One Christmas in Arcadia, FL


She always loved our pets!
Rita at age 12

25 comments:

Rita Loca said...

Oh MY WORD!!! I have not seen some of these since...Where did you find these??? That was fun! Jewel looks so much like me and I look like Mom!!! And you are so cute with me as a baby!!! And johnny, lol!!! AHHH! This was a great gift!!!

Angry said...

This is such a nice place to visit, Pam, thank you for sharing your life. And happy birthday Rita.

Missionaries to Australia hey? I'd love to hear about that one day.

Unknown said...

Oh Rita, I'm so happy you liked it! I knew you hadn't seen these in forever, if ever and would get a kick out of them. and wasn't little John-John the cutest? Yes, you look Jewel looks like you, duh! and yes, I was so cute!! Can't you just see Shane in me? He is only a darker version! LOL

Humble wife said...

How exciting! This is truly a wonderful birthday tribute to your amazing sister!

Pam you too are one amazing woman!
Jen

Susan said...

Nice tribute to Rita!!! You can tell you've always been a loving Big Sister :o)
Susan

Liz said...

Aw.. precious photos!! thanks for sharing.

I've come to know Rita and you through blogging and to see pictures of your childhood is great!

Anonymous said...

I am amazed at how the grandchildren look like g'parents, and of course, how Rita's kids look like her through the years (NOT THAT MANY RITA!!)...

Yes, what memories!!

Amazing you menttion Shane---I was thinking the same as I saw the "album!!"..

What a tribute, and WHAT A LIFE---

It is a blessing to know the family!!

Teresa Maynard said...

Oh I enjoyed this pictorial walk down memory lane for Rita's birthday. You have the most amazing ideas, such a clever cuz you are. I loved this!! Do some more, hehehe.

Ginger said...

I love old pictures! These were great!

Kimberly said...

Happy Birthday good friend! Loved the pictures!

Kimberly said...

Happy Birthday good friend! I love the pictures!

Baptist Girl said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A DEAR LADY!!
And you sure have a Special sister in Pam!

Thank you for sharing those beautiful pictures of your family.

Cristina

Justabeachkat said...

What a sweet tribute to your little sister. I loved seeing all the old photos! Fun!

HUgs!
Kat

Kristi said...

I had so much fun looking at those pictures!! The ACE pic was too upsetting for me, having had to wear one for five years. LOL

~Kristi

Anonymous said...

Who knew? I thought Rita was the older sister. Silly me, I guess it's because she always acts so mature, right? hehe...

What a blessing to have a sister you love so much. I never had a sister, but you two make it look amazing.

Happy Birthday to Jungle Mom! The world would not be the same without her :o)

Great post Pam...very fun!

Rita Loca said...

HA! Pam, Ginger thinks I am older!!! HAHAHAHAH
She thinks I am mature! HAHAHAHAH
!!!!
Its because I am a grand mother!!!

Theresa's Notes said...

That was really fun. What a nice way to say happy birthday to your sister :)

Mishel said...

This was so much fun to look at! What a great thing to do for your sister--and a BIG happy birthday to Rita!! :)

Rebecca said...

What a nice display!

TO BECOME said...

Oh, Pam, the pictures were great. You are both just as pretty as you were back then. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RITA. I do hope you get to stop back by Pam's on your way home, that made me so sad thinking you were so close and yet so far away. Thank you Pam for posting these. They were great!! Have a good day. connie

Webutante said...

Adorable pics, Pam. How fortunate Rita is to have you as an older sis! And all of us to have you as a friend!

Jackie said...

Just so you know, my mom's birthday was...uh...A WEEK AGO...so feel free to post something new. :-D

TO BECOME said...

You have been on my mind, so I said a prayer for you. I hope you are feeling alright. Hope you are having good days and good nights. love you, Pam. connie from Texas

Lori said...

Happy Birthday to both of them.
That was fun to see the pictures.

Thought I would drop by to tell you that I won't be around posting or commenting much as I start back in the work force next week.
If you get a chance come check out my post in regards to my new job.

I will come around and check up on your site when I can.

Hugs, Lori

Morgan said...

These pictures were so much fun!!!