A white veil of deep sadness has covered the
OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY FAMILY.
Four chairs are now empty and four beautiful
people have walked on to heaven.
My son and I always call each other when there
is breaking news. When I woke up today, I saw my
phone had a message. It was my devoted OSU
COWBOY FAN and handsome son (with that baritone
voice) asking me, if I had heard....
I, as I know every one else thought , "not again!"
It has just been 10 years ago, when we lost 10 of the
OSU'S Mens Team......
but this time...
It was our coaches of the OSU'S Womens' Team.
Two beautiful lovebirds and pilots,
former Senator Olin Branstetter and his wife Paula.
They met in the 1950's at OSU.
A couple of great FAITH, they often flew
Mercy Misson's for people with cancer that needed
to be flown to other hospitals.
Although they were both pilots, Olin was flying and the
crash occured in Perry County, Arkansas, on a recruiting
trip Thursday night.
The Winona Wildlife Management Area is in steep
terrain in the eastern Ouachita Mountains.
On board was Kurte Budke, a Salina, Kansas native,
the most loving of husbands, a doting father of 3 beautiful
children, including a daughter who is a student at OSU,
A MAN OF GREAT FAITH,
AND
THE OSU WOMENS' BASKETBALL TEAM.
He was a charismatic coach who could be easily spotted
in his bright orange blazer at any game.
HE LOVED OSU AND HIS BASKETBALL GIRLS.
He taught them....
1. FAITH
2. EDUCATION
3. BASKETBALL
...ALL IN THAT ORDER.
COACH MIRANDA SERNA, was his recruiting
coordinator.
She was a native of Guadalupita, N.M., and the
first in her family to go to college.
She played for Kurt Budke.
She was a rising star.
FOUR EMPTY CHAIRS.
FOUR BEAUTIFUL, KIND SOULS
WILL BE FOREVER REMEMBERED
GOD NEEDED THEM MORE THAN US.
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE
BRANSTETTER FAMILY,
KURT BUDKE FAMILY
AND
THE MIRANDA SERNA FAMILY.
May you feel the love and peace of God.
May you not remember this horrible event
but instead, the loving memories of your precious
family member.
I heard a quote the other day, but I don't remember
the author....
FIND YOUR JOY
AND IT WILL
PUSH YOUR
PAIN OUT.
THE JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH
AND HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US OR FORSAKE
US. HE IS RIGHT THERE WITH YOU.
THE SHORTEST SCRIPTURE IN THE BIBLE,
"JESUS WEPT!"
ONE MUST GRIEVE TO GET BACK TO THE
GIFT OF LIFE...THAT QUOTE IS BY ME.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND I PRAY
PROTECTION FOR OSU COWBOY FOOTBALL
TEAM AS THEY TRAVEL TO IOWA FOR A GAME
TONIGHT.
p.s........I have forgotten the sight from where I obtained this picture...if you
notify me I will be so happy to credit you.
10 comments:
Truly a sad event. Our prayers are with the relatives and friends.
I could hardly believe my ears when I heard the news story. It's all so very sad. But I don't see the whole picture. Only God does. And I trust that his plan is perfect. I pray for all those affected by this horrible accident.
This is so sad. The two coaches had also coached at Louisiana Tech University.
Keeping the families and friends in my prayers.
I saw this on the news earlier and was shocked and deeply saddened. I will keep them all in my thoughts and prayers...God speed dear ones.
My prayers are with the family
I am so sorry to hear of this tragedy.
My heart and prayers are with these families and with the community that loved them. Just hearing that awful news made my heart skip a beat and I am just an outsider.
Such a tragedy. I will definitely pray for the families and your community. We had 2 funerals in our little town yesterday. One amazing woman who died of cancer and a father of 3 and loving husband who made the choice to end his life. So sad. Pray for us as we pray for you.
In Him,
Joyful
Hi Debbie! You have been on my mind a lot lately. I had to run through bookmarks and all trying to find you (since I blog and quit and blog again). Anyway, I laughed when I was looking for a "Debbie" or Debby" and just kept running past the bookmark with your name on it, "Simply Debbie"! How could I miss that one?!
I'm sorry to hear about the losses of those kids and coaches.
As I scrolled down, I read about the depths of depression over the death of your beloved Amy and that you are doing soooo much better. I'm so very glad to hear that. I can't imagine that pain and sorrow but understood yours. Your own quote in this post, "one must grieve to get back to the gift of life" was a blessing to read but that second one, soooo much the more. I'm so glad you're doing better, that's why you were on my mind. Take care! Hugs, Jenn
Oh Debbie - a sad story indeed and will send my prayers their way.
sandie
Prayers have been going up about this, locally, because we live not too far from where the plane went down.
Debbie, I'm a new fan of your blog, looking forward to getting acquainted.
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