My Grandpa In World War I

Memorial Day is a day of reflection and appreciation. 
My Grandpa was in World War I.

 As I was sifting through a box I came across this report that I wrote in 5th grade.  I thought I would retype it and share it:

This is a true story of what my grandpa did in World War I.

During the last year and a half of the war, Frank A. Anderson was in training to go over to the war. After 3 mos. of training in America, alot of young, courageous men like my grandpa (He was 22) went by boat to go over to France to help win the war for them.

In France he wasn't assigned to fight on the war front, but since he was such a good mechanic, he was to drive trucks, full of supplies like mail, food, ammunition, first aid, soldiers, gas, spare parts, Doctors, Nurses, etc. over the border and into Germany, to the war front.

My Father with Grandpa Frank (his dad)

Since the Germans could bomb him during the day he had to go over there by night with all the lights inside and outside the car turned off. Sometimes just in-case the Germans would catch them they had to be good shooters, and my Grandpa got medals from it.

Gradually, the trucks would get worn out, for example: it would get a flat, the engine might stall, run out of gas, etc. and if the men had to get help or didn't know how to fix it, they would get shot, so since grandpa was a good mechanic, he would fix it in the dark and try to hurry to the war front, and back to the base by dawn.

After a few months of being private, he, quickly got to be private first class and up to corporal . The badges he got are Driver and Mechanic badge and Expert Rifler badge and was in the Cops. of Engineers. I am very proud of my Grandpa, because he was so brave. He is now 81 yrs old and had pretty close calls during the last year of World War I.

Army Expert Driver/Mechanic/ Operator Badge

Expert Rifle/Weapons Badge

Remembering Grandma Dora

Dora as a Child

Grandmother, spoke of the past
            many times of a lake - named Lemon
            how she explored for rocks
            loved  travel and adventure
            although, in her later years her adventures were done in books
            had a zest for life

         
Grandmother, loved and respected
            gentle furrows on her face
            scent of baby powder ever present
            favored the color yellow
            a twinkle in her eye
            warm infectious laugh
            a comforting lap that one loved to snuggle in
            "Bless your heart" and saying she was"tickled to see you"
            was a response that many recall
           

Grandmother, friend, wise one
              enjoyed gardening, the feel of the earth, its rich aroma
              loved to work with her hands, crochet and knit for loved ones
              prepared amazing delicacies in her teeny tiny kitchen
              Twins or Vikings Games were often heard in the room
              her knowledge on multiple topics was vast
           
Grandmother, companion, wife
              Lunch Bunch and Friend of the Library
              furry black poodles
              loved holding her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren
              everyone's favorite
              loved her husband dearly
              her conversations were sprinkled with his name
           

Grandmother, deep rich memories of her life
              what she loves makes us smile
              her sweetness will be remembered
              her kindness will be thought of often
             she lives on in our souls, will never be forgotten

In Loving Memory of Dora Irene Shemanek
August 15, 1911-January 11, 1999


           
           
           
         

Reflections on Being a Grandma: Part 3

So now I have come to this milestone,  being a 'Gramma'! 

Holding my grandson the day he was born

 All I knew was that I was told I would love it! 
No one told me it would be hard to sleep night after night wondering how your sweet daughter is doing when she was overdue.  Or that you would be startled awake by your own thoughts of...is she having her baby?  No one told me about the ache in your heart when you walk in the hospital room and your daughter is feeling miserable hour after hour and you can't do anything about it.  Nobody mentioned to me that when you see her hooked up to an IV and she is trembling and struggling that you would feel like you were going to pass out.  I had no idea that when hearing she would be having a c-section I would feel like I was crumbling inside.When I was finally able to see her and Everett, I could not stop crying.  I cried for her pain.  I cried for her relief.  I cried for her joy. I cried for her sorrow. I was thinking, "I want to do everything I can to help her recover from this tramatic event! I will give her my all."  You know what? It wasn't tramatic for her.  She has recoverd with flying colors. The Lord and her husband have been there for her every step of the way. For me, this has been the largest milestone in her life and I still get weepy thinking of the pain she endured and also tears of joy at the thought of her as a mother!

Isn't our Lord's love the same for us? John 15:9-13 states: " Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends."

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Reflections on being a Grandma: Part 2

Savannah's graduation from High School and seeing her off to College was the next milestone that comes to mind. From what I learned from others I expected this to be hard.  I expected to do alot of crying. I felt concerned that maybe I had a hard heart when I did not cry.  I was overflowing with joy and peace! I was excited for her to start her own life! I trusted her choices.  I was confident in her future.  I think it helped that I was dropping her off at a school I attended for two years.  I felt I knew the experiences she would experience. I walked the same halls. I sat in the same desk. I ate in the same lunchroom. I slept in the same dorm. I was leaving her in good hands with those I knew,  love & respected.

  A fourth milestone that I recall was the day she got married. "What a great husband he will be, what a great life she will have with Lance" I thought. Again, I pondered it strange that only a few tears slipped down my cheek.  I felt overwhelmed with joy!  The Lord had provided so much for this Wedding that we could not afford.  It was so beautiful and special.  We were surrounded by so many people that loved us and were happy for them as well as us.  What a truly amazing day filled with the Lord's blessings!

On my daughter's Wedding Day

Stay tuned! Part 3 of Reflections on being a Grandma is Tomorrow!

Reflections on being a Grandma: Part 1

Savannah is my first born, a lot of her milestones are my milestones as a mother. Thinking back on milestones of Savannah's life, I recall her first immunization. She was 2 months old, I remember seeing a drop of blood coming out of her leg, the first time I had seen any kind of injury on her.  I recall the look of betrayal in her eys before she broke into a blood curdling cry that caused me to almost pass out! Yes, the nurse grabbed me & I remember her saying, "Lay on the floor with your knees up until you have regained your strength." There were many more bumps and bruises in life for her. But overall, I would say an injury free life.

Another milestone in her life was the moment she received Jesus as her personal Savior. she was around four years old and we were talking about Vacation Bible School - "Why are we inviting kids to Bible School?" "Why do they need to know about Jesus?" "What is the gift of Salvation?" "Can I do this?"  What a thrill to lead my daughter to Christ and then to nurture her and encourage her to love & serve Him. I remember one Sunday afternoon, I think she was in 6th grade, for some reason Savannah & I were in the car waiting for Dad to grab a couple of groceries...anyway, KTIS had Billy Graham on the radio.  I drifted off to sleep.  When I awoke Savannah said, "I decided to do that" "Do what?" I replied. "I decided to dedicate my life to Christ just like they talked about on the radio!" WOW!  What a special teary moment we shared that afternoon.  I also recall the first year Savannah was a Counselor at camp.  I was missing her and praying for her and decided to clean her room, make her bed, etc. I was wondering where she was spiritually. As I was making her bed, I found a notebook under her pillow, I flipped through it and realized it was her prayer journal! I read just a few lines to realize the depth of her walk with the Lord.  I tried not to read it but did notice that each page was one of her friend's names and the various things she was praying for them.  I fell to my knees thanking the Lord for working in her life and thanking Him for making her such a powerful prayer warrior.

Read part 2 Tomorrow and Part 3 Friday! 

Just in time for Mother's Day!

On Rainy Days God Shows His Love

Every time it rains I am reminded, NO, BLOWN AWAY by God's love for me. On most days that it rains I find myself in tears, just speechlessly in awe of how great and powerful He is. His love was first shown to me by my parents. I couldn't have been more than six when I woke up in the middle of the night with a terrible nightmare. A very strong man was going to hurt me in my dream. I was crying hysterically and was inconsolable. My weary parents did their best to try to comfort me. Between sobs I could barely say there was a bad man going to get me. Dad tried to demonstrate how strong he was by showing his muscles on his arms. The bad man in my dream looked much stronger so it didn't help. Then, in my mother's wisdom she said "show Savannah you can lift the dresser." My dad picked up my dresser, it might have even been just one side. In my child mind, there was nothing more heavy that I could imagine, and my dad was stronger than anyone I have even met, because he lifted it. It may seem insignificant but to me it was very significant. I knew my dad would always love and protect me.



A few months later there was a storm outside. Like any other child my age I was scared. The thunder was so loud, lightning so bright and sudden, and there was so much water everywhere. My mother comforted me. With her loving arms wrapped around me, she explained that the Lord was demonstrating His power. I thought "Whoa! We do have a powerful God!" Its like, the Lord is lifting up my dresser, in a way. That has always stuck with me, to me His almighty infinite power is being displayed through nature and comforting me. As if He whispers to my soul "I am in control and I have you in my hands, dear child. I love you and I am protecting you."


In my walk with the Lord, it seems when I am wrestling with something the Lord is trying to teach me that "ah HA!" moment happens when it is raining. This was significant a couple of especially hard times in my teen years. It has seemed to rain harder as I refused to open my eyes, look around, and admit that despite hard times God's love never fails. As it poured and poured harder, I cried harder, my heart was softening. I could no longer ignore the power being demonstrated "The peace that surpasses all understanding" came over me and I was again comforted by His great love. Every time it rains, I go back to "because the Lord loves me, I KNOW He does, just look at the rain."
Romans 8: 38-39 "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Out of My Comfort Zone: Part Two

I was thrust out of my prayer by the sounds of a young boy screaming and crying in another room.  It became so hysterical that I could hear a voice say, "Let's give him a breather".  Out walked a boy that looked about 5 years old.  The lady with him bent down, gave him a hug, gave him some encouraging words and they walked out. Fifteen minutes or so later he walked in with a huge smile, chatting a mile a minute and carrying a bottle of Gatorade in one hand and a candy bar in another.  As they walked closer to the door his steps slowed, his chatting ceased, I could see fear on his face. The lady holding his hand soothed his fears by saying, "She is a nice lady, she talks softly and is very kind." He proceeded to go into the room. Later there were again moments of screaming or crying. I wanted to hug him and say a prayer out loud to him. But I spent a good amount of time praying for him silently and weeping for him. I asked our Lord to heal the pain in his life. I prayed that there would be helpful changes made in his life.  I prayed for his salvation and that he would cling to the Lord and what is good.  I prayed that the Lord would give him the strength and faith to stand up to evil and shun it.


There were others in this waiting room...a middle aged woman walks in, sits close to the door, doesn't make eye contact, seems extremely despondent...another lady asking for forms, later on the phone crying saying that her electric has been shut off and she doesn't know what to do...a teen comes in with a very dull look on his face, kind of hunched over, the lady with him talks to the front desk stating he is here for an I.Q. test and that Child Services will pay for it...a young man comes in asking for forms, he goes to the front desk asking many questions...


Interesting to ask the Lord for His eyes and to go to prayer for each person.  Jesus can fill their and our every need. I don't mean to make light of any of these situations or make it sound like there is an easy answer. Yet, Jesus can be our friend. He can be our comfort. He is love. He can be our Source. He can supply our every need.  He can make wise the simple. Jesus is the answer.  He can help us when we have many questions in life. Mark 10:45  ^{"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.} "  Mark 2:17 " On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” I would loved to see Jesus walk in. I would love to see Him in action. There are so many needs, so many waiting rooms...wouldn't that be an interesting ministry?

Out of My Comfort Zone: Part One

Usually when I walk into a waiting room the decor catches my eye, makes me smile; there is soft soothing music, has a calming effect; the scent in the room smells good, draws a person in.  Yesterday I went with a friend to a County Human Service Center. When I walked into this waiting room there was a small attempt to warm one wall with a soft peach tone, that created a somberness; there was a painful, ear deafening furnace hum, that agitated those in the room; the smell in the room was a mixture of dusty stale air and old man which caused a person to want to leave the room.

A young Hispanic couple was in there with their adorable toddler daughter. The tiny children's play area had only a handful of grimy toys to play with. I wish I could be Mary Poppins and open my carpet bag and pull out fun toys for her to play with or pull a storybook out, sit down and read to her.

There was a six month old baby coughing and crying. His caregiver did not pick him up from the stroller but merely handed the baby a bottle and pushed him around the room to calm and sooth him. I wanted to jump up run over there, scoop that little boy up, hold him and fill up his 'love tank'. Instead, I prayed for him - his future, his salvation and wiped away tears that fell from my eyes.
There's more to the story: Out of My Comfort Zone: Part Two.