Hi!  My name is Connie and I live in a tiny, not-so-sleepy little town in Southwest Missouri.  You may have heard of it -- it's Branson, Missouri!  While I grew up in Kansas, just outside of Kansas City, I've been living in Branson for seven years now, and I just love it!  I enjoy going to the various shows in town, and have made some terrific friends in the time I've been here!

Among the friendships I've been blessed to cultivate during my 7 years here in Branson, some of my dearest friends are some I grew up watching on television.  You see, my parents "forced" me to watch the Andy Williams Show every week.  It was there that I was introduced to The Osmond Brothers.  Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay made their way into my young heart very quickly -- probably because they were so much closer to my age than Andy was!  LOL!!  And hey -- they were cute!!  Anyway, I never dreamed that many years later, I would actually be blessed to count some of these very men among my friends! 

When I first read about Uplej, I wanted to be a part. I actually was going to support another charity, one which has some very close ties to the Osmond Family.  But after I thought about it, I decided that my choice was to support the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.  A number of years ago, a lady in my church and a friend of my mother's each bravely battled MS.  In 1988 I met one of my biological cousins and learned she was battling MS.  A few years later, I learned Alan Osmond had been diagnosed with this disease. I have watched as he has dealt with MS with grace and dignity.  He has been a shining example of perserverance and faith in the face of adversity.  A few years ago, I met a friend from Wales who also dealt with MS.  While my sweet friend passed away a few years ago following a bout with breast cancer, I still remember how she looked to Alan for inspiration.  And then recently, another member of the Osmond family, Alan's son David, was diagnosed with MS as well. 

It is my desire to do my part, small though it may be, to help raise funds help in the fight against this disease.  Won't you consider joining me in this effort?  Together, we CAN make a difference!