Telling our story is important, especially for the next generation. Sharing our struggles but also our victories. I want to share a series of stories that have helped set the foundation for my own life and journey with God. I want my children and each generation after to know their history, especially a piece of the journey of some of those before us.
The first one I want to share is from my grandfather, Gilbert Lee Helvie, born in 1927 in Hood River, Oregon. This man and his faith continue to inspire me. His faith in God, even in the face of many difficult and heartbreaking circumstances has remained solid and steadfast. I asked him to share a little of his story including a little of his and my grandmothers story.
“I met Lorraine in Berkeley California while I was going to the Navy radio school. We were attending a dance sponsored by a girls group and it was restricted to young teen age girls and the navy radio school students (most of us were 17 years old). We shipped out on a troop transport to the Philippines, and we kept in touch with each other via mail. When the war ended and I returned home we became engaged and married a few months later. I went to work for the railroad as a telegrapher and while we lived in Drain, Oregon we both came to the Lord during a church service in an Assembly of God church. As we moved to various towns in Oregon. We were both filled with the Holy Spirit in Woodburn, Oregon. We became more and more involved in spiritual things, including Sunday School teaching as the years passed.
My mother was a Christian but to the best of my knowledge my dad was not. Both of Lorraine’s parents were atheists, but her grand parents on her dads side were very devout Christians, and as she grew up she attended a conservative Presbyterian church, and was always a very devout young lady. In reality she was probably a Christian several years before we dedicated ourselves to Christ there in Drain. Her dedication to me and our children was tremendous. I still miss that wonderful lady and always will until I see her in heaven.”
My grandmother, Dorothy Lorraine Parsons (Helvie), was born in Berkeley, California in 1929. She passed away in October of 1992 from colon cancer. We all continue to miss her and know she is with Jesus.
Grandpa passed away on November 13, 2019. He was 92 years old. I know that he is filled with joy to have joined my grandmother and my uncle Tim in heaven. He is greatly missed but we will see him again!!!
