An Observation about "Hair Strands" -- Reminders of love
Hair strands can bug you at times. Guys, you know, that strand of hair in the lunch she packed or the cake she baked, that strand of hair randomly appearing on the shirt just put on. Vicki would always apologize for the hair strands as she picked them off my shirt or coat. I would sometimes "pick on her" about finding "evidence" she had been there. Other times I would just laugh and say "see, it says you love me".
Guys, value those hair strands you find. Treasure them as evidence that God has given you a woman who loves you, puts up with you, works with you, and blesses you with her sharing her life with you. I am still finding hair strands around the house. Reminders that God blessed me for over 41 years with a woman who made me a better person than I would have ever been on my own. Guys, if you still have that woman in your life, thank her for the reminders she leaves around you. And always remember, she is God's gift to you -- on loan -- treasure her. (written March 11, 2016)
Vicki went home to be with her Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ, March 3, 2016. She let the love of Jesus flow through her life to others as she served and fed them. Our involvement in reenacting
 |
| Vicki Lynn Kammeyer Rowe Born: Sept.8, 1953 Went Home: March 3, 2016 |
the United States Christian Commission came from her heart that she could feed the reenactors as we shared with them the history of the USCC and showed them the love of Jesus. Her servant's heart changed our involvement in reenacting from an enjoyable interest in exploring history into a gentle ministry of love and encouragement for Jesus' honor.
She was always concerned if we would have enough food to give away, and if it would taste good enough for the men coming to our tent. "Some how" we always had plenty to share and it always tasted good. The soldiers would come in under the tent fly and always find enjoyable variety to go along with a tin can of refreshing lemonade or mint tea. For lunch we would put out slices of cheese, pepperoni & crackers -- a simple lunch for many a soldier who came by because Vicki did not want any of the guys to go hungry for lunch.
The sign we hang on the tent reads "Free Food for the Soldier. God bless You" and we mean it. If any reenactor hesitates or asks "how much?" our answer always is "God's love is free, so is this soldier! Come on in! Want something to eat? Some lemonade or mint tea?"
Vicki would spend days before an event baking and preparing. Some things could be baked ahead a few days. Other items had to be baked the day before to "taste just right". She would often stay up late baking. Or sewing on projects to be put out on the gift table for the men -- like draw string comfort bags or pocket handkerchiefs.
Set up was directed by her doing and giving directions at the same time. She was always thinking about how to do things efficiently while having room for the kids -- then grand kids -- in the tent and still be organized to feed the troops. She would periodically upgrade the coverings we would use to cover the serving tables, hay bales, food tables to get them to fit better/ look better. She enjoyed the challenge of being creative with sewing. But all that she did was for the goal of better serving those who would come to our tent; that they would feel welcome, that they would enjoy coming; that we would represent well the USCC delegates who served the soldiers during the Civil War.
Our children grew up learning to serve others at reenactments as well as in the churches we served in. They learned a lot from their mother's example. Vicki was an example to all who came to our tent of what the original Christian Commission Delegates were to the Civil War soldiers -- servants of others as they served Jesus Christ.
Through Vicki's love and compassion reenacting the USCC has been for us a positive family experience of serving others while exploring history. She has fed thousands of strangers over the years on many a battlefield. As I said at the Reenactor Memorial Service: "Vicki loves you guys, and Jesus loves you even more."
She was always concerned if we would have enough food to give away, and if it would taste good enough for the men coming to our tent. "Some how" we always had plenty to share and it always tasted good. The soldiers would come in under the tent fly and always find enjoyable variety to go along with a tin can of refreshing lemonade or mint tea. For lunch we would put out slices of cheese, pepperoni & crackers -- a simple lunch for many a soldier who came by because Vicki did not want any of the guys to go hungry for lunch.
The sign we hang on the tent reads "Free Food for the Soldier. God bless You" and we mean it. If any reenactor hesitates or asks "how much?" our answer always is "God's love is free, so is this soldier! Come on in! Want something to eat? Some lemonade or mint tea?"
Vicki would spend days before an event baking and preparing. Some things could be baked ahead a few days. Other items had to be baked the day before to "taste just right". She would often stay up late baking. Or sewing on projects to be put out on the gift table for the men -- like draw string comfort bags or pocket handkerchiefs.
Set up was directed by her doing and giving directions at the same time. She was always thinking about how to do things efficiently while having room for the kids -- then grand kids -- in the tent and still be organized to feed the troops. She would periodically upgrade the coverings we would use to cover the serving tables, hay bales, food tables to get them to fit better/ look better. She enjoyed the challenge of being creative with sewing. But all that she did was for the goal of better serving those who would come to our tent; that they would feel welcome, that they would enjoy coming; that we would represent well the USCC delegates who served the soldiers during the Civil War.
Our children grew up learning to serve others at reenactments as well as in the churches we served in. They learned a lot from their mother's example. Vicki was an example to all who came to our tent of what the original Christian Commission Delegates were to the Civil War soldiers -- servants of others as they served Jesus Christ.
Through Vicki's love and compassion reenacting the USCC has been for us a positive family experience of serving others while exploring history. She has fed thousands of strangers over the years on many a battlefield. As I said at the Reenactor Memorial Service: "Vicki loves you guys, and Jesus loves you even more."
What Christ Means to Me
a poem written by Vicki in High School
What Jesus Christ means to me,
I would like to share with thee.
Remember how he lived to die,
To serve each one -- you and I.
He created the heavens and earth,
Including the pearls beyond all worth.
How could I help but love him so,
He left heaven for a world of woe.
Now he wants me to serve Him always,
He's promised to give me the right words to say.
With the pierced ear of service,
I serve him always.
I've told you in brief what He means to me.
Now tell me sir; What's He to thee?
She loved me enough to marry me August 24, 1974. She is not here today for me to tell her I love her and thank her for her gift of love to me. So I write this as a way of honoring her and her love for Jesus and her love for me. I look forward to the day I get to see her again in heaven, not because of what I've done, but because of what Jesus did for me on the cross -- dying in my place so I could be forgiven of my sins.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
No comments:
Post a Comment