Children In The Son

Daniel and I were just in awe of the amazing amount of train and track they own and so humbled at how they have used what The Lord has blessed them with to help the children we minister to in Romania. If you live around that area, you definitely should go to their fund raiser this coming December! We were able to speak to their church on Saturday and share what our ministry is doing.

While we were in Vermont, Daniel was able to see his best friend, Aaron Warner, for the first time since our wedding. They had a great time catching up and talking about college and their lives in ministry now. It was such a blessing to be able to see him.

Our babies apparently do not like to fly so I will not be doing that again pregnant. They both kicked me like crazy during both the flights up to Vermont and back so I decided that my flying wings needed to be clipped for now and our doctor agreed.

Georgy wrote to give an update of what is going on in Romania and to share some photos. The boys at Agape Home along with our house parents have done an excellent job with our garden already as you can see from the photo.

Another big concern for our ministry is the continued weakening of the US dollar. At our last board meeting, our Board Treasurer, Margaret Moore, told us she now has to wire over almost an additional $2,000 per month so we can keep doing our projects. We do not have any extra support pledged so this is really taking a toll on our ministry financially. I know people in the USA are feeling it as well. If The Lord presses it on your heart to help us financially, please do so. Any extra funding we can get right now is so very needed. We ask you to agree with us in prayer for the financial needs to be met.

A bit about us personally—-Daniel and I are both doing well and both gaining weight even though I am the only one pregnant. Daniel has been sympathy eating when I have a craving and I like to tease him about it! We went to the high risk specialist for the twins again yesterday and they are both doing well and growing excellent. And, as you can see, so am I! I am starting to take on the shape of a human python that just swallowed a German Shepard (or maybe a Cocker Spaniel!) Daniel took this photo of me last night to share with all of you that have asked for an updated photo of me.

After we left the doctor yesterday, Daniel went to get the car and to get something that I had forgotten to give the doctor. On my way back down to the car, I got stuck in the elevator with three administrative workers from the hospital. In the past, I have been very claustrophobic although my time in Romania and being forced to use their minuscule elevators certainly helped with my previous problem. When I realized yesterday that they had to call help to get us out, I started my panicky breathing and the other three women started to think I might go into labor and began joking and calming me down. It helped some but I found out yesterday that anger trumps claustrophobia because when the “emergency services” button of the elevator hung up on us twice, I got mad. Then, they sent a public safety officer (who, by the way, knows nothing about elevators) over to beat on the door of the elevator to ask us if we were in there. I promise I am not lying. My anger totally alleviated by breathing difficulties and after being in there about fifteen minutes, I was ready to hurt someone and extremely relieved to be out. (I called Daniel from the mobile phone of one of the women with me because mine was in my purse in the car with him!) Nothing like a little drama when you’re pregnant!!!

Of course I could not allow Memorial Day to pass by this year without remembering my dear Poppy Frank, Luther Frank Comer, Jr., who died last October. Many of you received the emails and the tribute I wrote to him in our newsletter for being a Veteran of World War II, Prisoner of War, Missing in Action. For those of you who did not, I am pasting it below along with this photo. God bless the USA and the families of all of those service men and women that have given their lives and time serving.

Basking In The Son,

Michelle

Part of the Tribute to Frank Comer,

July 24, 1924-October 5, 2007

When we were home this past summer, Daniel and my stepfather, Richard, were watching a NASCAR race on television and my Poppy and Grandma were visiting as well. The abruptness of Poppy’s hoarse singing caught me off guard. Usually barely able to verbalize much more than “where am I?” and “have I eaten already?” because of his advanced state of Alzheimer’s disease, he gave me quite a startle as he sang every word to the Star Spangled Banner at the opening of the race. But, honestly, the sudden lucidity shouldn’t have caused me bat an eye for if there were ever anyone that song represented, it is him.

My Poppy Frank was a Prisoner of War during World War II and Missing in Action for many months. He decided not to marry my grandma until he had returned and she waited to find out if he was alive after he had been captured by the Germans and put in a work camp. Poppy told me many times that the things he saw in that work camp were unspeakable and he was forced to cut wood outside in his bare feet which ended up in frost bite and, eventually, the loss of circulation in his feet. He was also severely starved which lead to a condition of both his lungs and heart according to a recent VA report received.

He was rescued while working outside by a German woman pulling a hay wagon that hid the soldiers remaining because the Russian troops were moving in quickly. She took them to safety so they could get the medical help needed. I hardly ever look at a loaded wagon of hay here in Romania without thinking of that story. My Poppy told me many times the only possession he had when he returned was the bullet proof bible my grandma had given him before he left. He did return to the USA and found that my grandma had rebuffed the proposal of many suitors (she still is a beautiful woman) in anxious anticipation that he was alive. He promptly married her and they had five children and WAY (emphasis included because I was included!) too many years farming. They were married for 61 years and loved each other through many wars.

My Poppy Frank was an icon in his community of being a “man of his word.” He said thousands of times, “Let your yes be yes and your no be no.” and millions of times, “You don’t own nothing but your name in this world.” I don’t think either of those two things made a bit of sense to me until I got much older. Now, I appreciate that advice daily. Especially in a world where no one seems to think it is important to keep their word.

I know I am blessed to be 39 before loosing my first grandparent but, in a way, it has made it even harder because I have lived only knowing life with grandparents. When we my Mama called to say he was dying, I can say that I put my selfish thinking aside and prayed for The Lord to take my Poppy quickly so that he would not suffer. He suffered so much in serving his country and in living with Alzheimer’s that we were all ready to see him go to be with Jesus. I will be forever grateful to The Lord for allowing me to say good-bye to my Poppy and get closure on a life he lived well. We arrived at the hospital two hours before he died. I got to tell him how much I loved him and thank him for the wonderful lessons he taught us. I got to kiss his hands as he gasped for every breath. I got to sing with my family all the hymns that he loved as he was dying. He asked my Mama earlier in the day if he was “going home today” and my Mama asked him, “Which home are you talking about?” and he said, “the home where the Old Rugged Cross is.”

I find it interesting that even though my Poppy Frank had absolutely no short-term memory, he would sing his heart out to “When The Roll is Called Up Yonder” almost every night in his bed. My Mama told me he was singing it in the hospital as well with his usual special emphasis at the end, “And I WILL be there!!!” It was such a testimony to me that in his spirit, He still knew how to praise The Lord. And I am so thankful that he is now “up yonder” for eternity. Kinda hard to be sad about that but we will all miss him terribly until we are reunited with him “up yonder.”

For all of you that have served your country by serving in the military, we salute you along with all the men in our families who have served in wars.