Our faith is tested at many points throughout our lives.  It is especially tested when a child goes off to war. Linda Kennard is a single mother of three; daughters Lindsey, 27, and Lexy, 7 and son Tony, 23, who shares her experience and her faith with us. Tony, a 2005 Pennridge graduate, is currently stationed near the Afghanistan/Pakistan border for the next year and serves as an infantryman and team leader. A Corporal, Tony has already served in Iraq where he witnessed the death of one of his friends and fellow soldier. He has seen many things while serving that have changed his view of life.  Linda, however, hopes that he does not become too jaded by his experiences in the military.

“Tony has always been very patriotic and unselfish,” Linda explain. She always knew he would do good things saying, “He has always had a strong sense of self and morality.” The hardest thing has often been the goodbyes. Linda explains that it is in those moments where she remembers the little boy and relies on her faith to keep her strong and supportive of her son’s decision to serve his country.  These are the moments when she especially feels God’s presence.  She is amazed that each time she says goodbye, God provides the strength for her to do it without crying and upsetting her son.

Tony’s travels have reinforced his love for family and home and he continues to look forward to his visits to Perkasie. He will be home again on leave in February, 2012 and Lexy, his youngest sister is counting down the months.

Linda works as a cardiac nurse at the Doylestown Hospital, and has always wanted to, like Tony, help people and do what is right.  Her work on the weekends does not make it convenient to attend Sunday services and she appreciates the Midweek services on Wednesdays at Calvary.  Having a place to go to reaffirm her faith is especially necessary while her son is serving overseas.

There is something about the fact that he is so far away that makes it hard, but Linda continues to trust in God. She expresses her belief that our children are a gift that we borrow for a while, but they grow up and become self-sufficient and we must turn them over to the Lord. Linda prays every day for Tony and all of the soldiers. She asks that we pray for Tony and all of the soldiers fighting to protect our freedom and our country.

An Update from Linda 5.30.11 I had to share what happened this weekend.  I got a call from the US Army notifying me that Tony had been injured and hospitalized in a terrorist bombing while I was at work. They told me I would hear more info within 24 hours.
At 5am Sunday morning (May 29),  I got the most wonderful phone call of my entire life...Tony was able to call me! He is doing fine. He has a concussion, some memory loss and some traumatic stress issues from the incident.
I think it's amazing how God's timing works, our interview being posted asking for additional prayers....I believe with all my heart that prayer is what helped protect my son this weekend.
I'm so blessed  to have Calvary as my church. Please continue to pray for our soldiers.

A current listing of those serving in the military (as of 5.29.11)

SPC Jennifer Alvarez

Ricky Alvaro

Rod Bosh

Phil Brown

Lt Col Matthew Cadicamo

Daniel J. Costello

John Campbell

1st Lt. Jermain Clark

Dustin Crouthamel

Justin Degen

Brandon DeLaGarza

Christopher Derstine

Terry Farrell

Mark Faucette

Scott Fink

Corporal Ronald Finley

Lt. Col. John J. Foden III

Michael Foote

Daniel Geib

PFC Christopher Gunter

Sgt Jessica Harper

Chris Herring

Luke Herring

Tim Herring

Major Michael Hunsberger

Anthony S Kennard

Capt. Jim Lacovara

LCpl Orrin Lafond

SrA Chaz Laubach

Brandon Metzler

LCpl Eric D Musselman

Lt Col Scott Niles

SMS James Overbeck

Joshua Sauer

LCpl Stefan Scarlata

Col. Jeffrey Kent Souder

Paul Taylor

Mark Uffner

LCpl Michael T Vasconez

Tyler Wood