Linda Alderman
I met Ferne Cooper, her Mom, Mrs. Smith and two girls, Janice and Jeaneen, in 1967, after I began attending Aldersgate Wesleyan, in Falls Church, VA. Ferne kept such a warm home and invited me to live with them, after she played piano for my younger sister's wedding (my only roommate.) Lots of fun at the breakfast counter in Ferne's home, where her Mom helped cook and serve meals. They blessed every church service and held regular devotions in the home, making room for missionaries, visitors and new Believers, looking to grow as Christians. Ferne and her Mom prayed for me, as a US Army wife 23 yrs. She faithfully supported both her daughter's ministries. We (together) enjoyed supporting Christian believers in Romania, some of whom came to America before and after the Communist Wall fell in '1989 or so.. It seemed like a miracle re young Simon's trip in 1996 from RO to America and celebrating his graduation from Wesleyan Univ, in Bartlesville, OK..Simon's sister and parents also have been a blessing - living in Michigan. Tho over age 70, seems Ferne comfortably flew to Haiti to work with Janice's ministry, as a nurse, etc.. Janice, as the Dean of a wonderful Nursing University, chose a student, an honor for me to support financially, in Haiti... Looking back to the beginning - what a blessing that Ferne did not charge me very much room and board, when I lived with their family three months, in 1968, before leaving DC for WV. She continued to pray for me and my Special Forces Green Beret Husband, who survived 7 yrs of combat status in Vietnam. She and Janice hosted an overnight visit of my Mom and me, supporting us the day we had to bury my husband (age 53) in 1994, in Arlington Cemetery... Ferne, Janice and Jeaneen (and other family members) have called or written beautiful emails, prayers and scripture references to me in NC, The love and light of Christ never fade, as long as I ponder the glory of God revealed thru this family and all who thankfully strive to embrace agreement with the Words of Jesus. Thank you, God.
