Ransom Jones.com

I have been so looking forward to this reunion. I didn’t get to come last year because we were in transition from Colorado back to Oklahoma and I was trying to get our house ready to sell. I want to walk the old trails again that I explored as a child. Hear the crunch of the flint rock on my tires as we drive in. Ring the big bell by the old open air tabernacle. Hear the slam of the screen door on the kitchen/dining hall. The clang of horse shoes out front. The gurgle of the slow moving green tinted Illinois River as it is forced over the sun bleached gravel bars. I want to hear Christian say “hey-hey-hey man” again, the strum of James on the guitar, the echo of laughter and singing. All of these things and many more I’ve listened to from the audio archives of my memory and long to hear them “live” once again.

Some sounds will have to remain in the archives of my mind, as those who made those beautiful notes have gone on to meet the Lord. But I thank them for their part in shaping my life none-the-less. The good Lord knows I love the old time feeling, principles, fellowship, and memories that these great old timers contributed to my life. Descendants of Ransom Jones, we are very blessed indeed.

I would also like to say that those wonderful folks that have left us here on earth, I want to see them again over there. To hear the ring of their voices and feel their arms around me as we embrace on the other side. I’ll insist on hearing once again the songs they sang here. Songs like “Something got a hold of me”, and “I’m in love with Jesus” along with many others. As the old hymn says; “…with their voices clear and strong.” The angels will just have to stand and wait until we are through. We’ll show all of heaven how to have a reunion. Just save me a place with the family around the table over there, and to whomever it was that pulled the gravy bowl apart, you must not sit opposite of one another.

By the way, I’m positive that they would welcome anyone else who would like to join in the journey to meet them on the other side of Jordan. I can hear them now. Come on now child. You’ve been shown the way. Just follow my foot steps and they’ll lead you home. The same God that kept me, will keep you too.
To those who are on the path that leads to life everlasting, hold fast to that thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Looking unto Jesus the author and the finisher of our faith.
Ronnie Jones

Hey fellow Joneses:
The 44th Annual Descendents of Ransom Jones Reunion will be held at Camp Lutherhoma, on the Illinois River east of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, from noon Friday, August 20, through noon Sunday, August 22, 2010. Everyone is encouraged to bring covered dishes and desserts on Saturday to share with others (Kentucky Fried will do in a pinch).

The rates will probably be the same as last year, but I haven’t received the contract yet. Last year, guests staying overnight Friday were charged $14 which included Saturday’s daytime schedule. If you stayed the entire weekend, the total charge was $21 ($7 for staying overnight Saturday night to Sunday). If you only attended Saturday, the charge was $5 per person paid to the camp for the privilege of being on grounds and using the facilities.

Some have thought this was a meal fee, but that is not the case. Camp Lutherhoma charges us this discounted fee as a compromise amount for those not staying overnight. If you bring guests you are responsible for their $5 Saturday fee. Children 4 years of age and younger have not been charged in the past. Air-conditioned dormitory rooms are available, and private cabins (with fans) that will accommodate entire families can be used at no extra charge. Hotels are available in Tahlequah for persons wishing to stay off-campus at night.

Directions for driving to Camp Lutherhoma are listed here. You may also want to visit www.lutherhoma.com. By the way, if you have email addresses of others who may want to receive these updates, please forward them to my email address. I no longer send out letters, so if you have family members who won’t share their email addresses, please advise them of the dates.

As always, please bring photographs even if you brought them last year. If you have had changes to the down line on your family tree, please write down births, deaths, marriages, etc. so that I can add them to the master tree. Ransomjones.com courtesy of Brad and Randall Murphy.

Again we encourage some of you to stay over Saturday night to help with the cleanup, as well as enjoy the refreshing and rewarding Sunday morning breakfast.

As soon as I see the finished contract I will notify everyone of any rate changes. See you there!

Larry Briggs