Friday, August 13, 2021
Dearest family, friends and prayer warriors,
Blessings to you all and prayers that
everyone is keeping well and safe from the pandemic!
We are praying so
very hard the dreaded Covid-19 is finally behind us no matter what people are
saying in Washington.
We have been safe and continue to be thankful only a few in our extended
families have been
struck. But, praise God, we have not lost family or friends, and our hearts go
out
to all who have.
When I looked back at the last update, I was shocked to find it was March 31, 2020. That
was
just about when the big shut-down occurred across the Nation and life everywhere seemed
to stand still for
months. When we finally learned we might be coming out of this horrible pandemic,
we
now have the sister virus called Delta. Thankfully, however, specialists seem to agree the Delta
virus
is not as deadly as Covid-19, although it spreads easier. We’ll wait and see.
In the meantime, we are safe and secure
in our little manufactured home park high up on
Ketterman Hill outside of Myerstown.
And, as many of you know, Kris moved from her independent
living apartment at StoneRidge
into her own beautiful double-wide home on January 20th this year.
She
now lives just three doors up the street from where we live, and it has been such a tremendous
help
to her and to us having her so close.
The same five caregivers are still with her at her new home, all providing part time, mostly
short
shifts, and they are truly five caring angels! Kris is enjoying her beautiful new home, especially
her
very own little gym/office. She has her recumbent bike to ride and arm pulleys to exercise her
arms,
and she does so just about every day. Her desk and computer are in there as well.
I'll be adding new photos shortly.
Some will show Kris on her front porch. Top left, you can see the
beautiful ramp that
was built when her home was just finished. She walks right down to the passenger
side
of our car, we put her walker in the back while we help her to get in, and off we go. Top right
photo
shows her front porch now with hanging baskets and her Cracker Barrell rocking chairs.
Oh,
yes, and she loves to sweep off the front porch! She says it’s good exercise!
Other photos will show Kris in her
uniform as we were getting ready to leave for
a very special program at our church, Zion UMC, in Myerstown.
Just to the right, a photo shows a
beautiful quilt being held while Kris is looking on.
A lovely couple who live in the park where we live
(Glenda and Dave Schlabach) make these
quilts for Veterans whom they know. Quilts of Valor are
registered with the
National organization and bear a certificate made of fabric to be sewn right into
the quilt.
Kris’s name, rank, and other pertinent information as to her service, etc., are shown on
that
certificate. The idea of making quilts for Veterans began in 2003, when the mother of a son
serving
in Iraq decided to make a quilt to keep her son warm. Today, over 160,000 Quilts of Valor
have
been made by quilters all over the Country.
Glenda is the woman holding Kris’s quilt, and we are so very grateful she came to visit Kris
to
ask if she could do this for her. After reading Kris’s book, Glenda and her husband were impressed
by Kris’s service and her bravery. Glenda then asked the Myerstown VFW Chaplain, Rev.
Peter Hook,
to lead the presentation. He readily agreed and invited numerous VFW
and American Legion dignitaries
from around the region to attend. Kris was presented
with lifetime memberships to both organizations.
In addition, a special PA Air National
Guard (PAANG) commemorative coin was presented by
a former PAANG Chaplain, David Wise, along
with a beautiful Air National Guard flag. It now flies under
Old Glory on the
flagpole Dad put up alongside Kris’s house.
Finally, a photo
showing Kris blowing out the candles on her birthday ice cream cake.
She celebrated her
56th (OMG!) on May 23rd while Dad and sisters Stephanie (left) and Diana (far left)
and
Ainsley, our granddaughter (Stephanie’s little girl), look on. Stephanie’s husband, John,
was in the
background and not pictured. All in all, it was a sweet visit and Kris
enjoyed some very lovely presents!!!
Thank you, girls and John!
On another note, Kris, George and
I have become ever more active in our church, Zion United
Methodist Church, in Myerstown.
We are blessed to have Pastor Keith Buckbee to lead us in worship,
along with Pastor
Rob Dagen, who serves as an associate and youth leader. They are drawing more
new
people into the church, and Pastor Keith is truly the “on fire” inspiration we have needed. He
preaches directly from the Word of God on Sunday, using no notes, and filling hearts with such desire to
grow
in faith. We now attend the Monday evening Bible Study, which is truly an inspiration, and we have
learned
so much as we work our way through Genesis.
Recently, the idea to hold a revival
service in the church was fostered, and that has become an
overwhelming desire with many
who attend and serve. During Wednesday night prayer meetings,
heartfelt prayers
have been raised in lieu of the dreadful state of America; i.e., the senseless killing
of hundreds in large
cities, the epidemic of store and business robberies and burning of buildings, and
the corruption among
those in leadership positions. With all of this tyranny, we have become very aware
of
the need for God in homes, in our lives and the lives of children, and to save the unborn. This is
where
our church stands, and we are deeply encouraged by those who want to see revival happen.
Not as a fundraiser, but merely to
create some excitement in the area, we had t-shirts printed
with the word “REVIVAL”
across the front in bold red letters, with the church name and address across
the back.
(See photo below.) Many of us have been wearing them to Wednesday night prayer meetings,
and
to a special Revival prayer group on Tuesdays at 2!
While a date has not been set because we are waiting on the Lord and praying very hard for His
direction,
we hope to hold the Revival service sometime in September or October. If you’re interested in
purchasing
a t-shirt (they are only $5 and we have a myriad of sizes) or in coming to the Revival when a
date
(or dates) is set, email or call me, and I’ll be happy to keep you informed and let you know how to
get
a t-shirt.
My time with Kris is about 44 hours per week, depending on who’s on vacation or not able to come,
and
full weekends. The angel caregivers make it possible for me to be at home with my hubby most nights,
and
to help him during the day to do some of the things he can no longer handle. In return, he takes care
of making many of the charts and documentation forms that we use for Kris’s care. Everything
is documented!!!
Sandwiched in between all of that, however, I have prayed about and feel led to take on a small
volunteer
position that Pastor Keith asked me about a month or so ago. Associated with the On Fire
youth
program in Myerstown, there is a program directly associated with children and teens of all ages
in
the ELCO School District known as Released Time. During school hours,
children are permitted
to attend education sessions, which last for about two hours, and include prepared curriculum
as volunteers
work with these children. The grades included are third, fourth and
fifth, and I have chosen third graders
with whom I would work for two hours on Wednesday each
week. Kris was very excited for me and thinks it’s great!
When I went into the JDM Office Supply
in Myerstown the other day, I was taken by the huge banner
on the front of a check-out counter.
It read:
Only God…
can turn a mess into a message, a test into a testimony, a trial into a triumph, and a victim into a victory!
In this day and age, I thought that
was very appropriate. Know that you are all counted among our treasured
friends, loved ones
and, especially, those wonderful prayer warriors. God keep you all safe!
Blessings and love,
Carol, George and Kris