Promises of N.England Magazine
Goodnow Family from Plymouth are Better than Ever!
Hannah G. Wells – Promises of New England Magazine/Posted 8-1-2022
Tracking Sherri and Dana Goodnow down was quite a feat! Between their trekking across the globe to help the less fortunate by drilling clean drinking water wells in Africa, establishing local outreaches in New England for Veterans (Sherri served in the US Army right out of high school), the homeless and single parent families; and their annual vacation celebrating their wedding anniversary it was tricky pinning them down.
We met up in Plymouth at Mama Mia’s on the Waterfront. They were already waiting for me on the upper deck because of the refreshing breeze that day. The sun shone brightly after weeks of rain as if to welcome the couple back from their most recent trip. I was impressed that they were early. The waitress seated me as I re-introduced myself. We all ordered appetizers. They had the calamari (their favorite). I had stuffed mushrooms. They were sipping on Ice Coffees, so I ordered one as well. Apparently, they had just come from the local hospital visiting their daughter. She just had twins four days earlier. A boy and a girl. They were beaming with excitement and naturally had pictures! We enjoy our appetizers and look at pictures for a little while.
I finally got to ask some questions…
“So, you two seem perfect together! Quite a formidable pair. How did you two meet?”
“Believe it or not, online,” whispers Sherri leaning forward with a big smile. “We both weren’t ready to give up on finding the right one, had busy lives, and figured it couldn’t hurt. And we struck gold!”
“Yeah, I knew the minute that I laid eyes on her that she was the one,” Dana added, “I don’t know why she was surprised when I told her that the day I proposed only months later.”
“Wow! That’s great. How long ago was that?”
“We ‘met’ online in January of 2007. In person on Dana’s birthday in March of that year. He proposed that summer, and we got married the following June,” Sherri recalled with a glimmer in her eyes.
“I prayed she didn’t meet anyone else while I had been in Florida on vacation in February. Fortunately, she had not,” beams Dana! “I had contemplated canceling my vacation, but thought if it was meant to be we’d have our chance. God has been on my side!”
“Well, I don’t want to keep you two all afternoon, so do you mind if I fire off several questions, and you can decide which ones you would like to answer? I can always circle back to them before we part. I have some specific questions about the MKE.”
They both looked at each other, raised an eyebrow, winked and nodded. You can see the love and caring they have for one another.
“How long ago did you two hear about the Master Key Experience? When did you decide to do the MKE? What helped you to decide to do the MKE? Was it a both or neither of you kind of thing? Who inspired you? Was your Mom always living with you Sherri? How about the new house? Who’s idea was that? And why the new buildings for Plymouth Rock Bible Church? Is that good for now?”
Sherri nodding began, “Well, we were married in PRBC and it’s been like home to us. We believe it’s important to give back to God at least a portion of what He has blessed us with. This area needs more of the love of God. This is where the Pilgrims came so long ago to practice their freedom of religion. That kind of brings me to the outreaches that we’ve established for Veterans, homeless and single parents. I fit into all of those categories at one time, and decided that I would give to others less fortunate than myself. The opportunity to do so arose out of our participation in the MKE back in 2019. It served Dana and I well! We tell all of our friends, business partners and even acquaintances who will listen – naturally providing they’re interested in hearing about it!”
Dana softly added, “It’s Sherri’s design. The house. She created it. She had help from an engineer and architect, but it is her original plan come to life!”
“Really?” I asked. “Were you in school for design?”
Sherri answered, “No, but I love to sketch and take pictures, and art in general! So, it happened that after years floating around in my brain as a dream it came to life! Would you like to see the original sketch?”
Of course I did! Even as a rough sketch, I could see the details had come to life. After construction was completed, the couple had an open house and invited family and friends, and I happened to know a friend of theirs, so I tagged along! That’s how I landed the opportunity for an interview in the first place! I’m sure this won’t be the last we hear from the Goodnows.
Sherri'sNewWorld 
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