Peaches and the princess

By Rev. Dr. KNOX HERNDON
Religion Columnist

I always thought that people with bulging picture wallets that took every opportunity to show you their family pictures were a bit strange. Well, I hate to admit it, but I sorta have become one of those people.

This Saturday at 5 p.m. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Fayetteville, my daughter Nikki and her fiancé Jerry Campbell are getting married. Have you ever noticed how the word “fiancé” and “finance” are closely mingled? They will then go off to Bermuda for a honeymoon (rough life, but somebody’s gotta do it).

They will then return here for a while and then head off to their first military assignment at Barksdale Air force Base, Louisiana. This is a B-52 base. Jeremy has a pilot's slot and is looking forward to flying for the Air Force. We all wish them and the marriage God’s very best. I only wish Dee and I could start over again and serve this great country for another 30 years.

Nikki and Jeremy did not meet in high school or college, but as babies in Yongsan, Seoul Korea, from 1984-1986. Nikki and Jeremy were 2-4 years old. These two chaplains’ kids were both in the Mustard Seed Christian Pre-School which was right up the hill from our South Post Chapel complex. To further see the hand of God, my dear friend Dave Campbell was also a chaplain in Korea. To further see the hand of God, Cheryl Campbell was our South Post Chapel music coordinator who worked with our junior choirs.

Dave worked with our chapel youth and did a marvelous job. Cheryl was also one of our star soloists and sang throughout Seoul and the Army chapels. We had a total of five choirs and three services a Sunday.

God put together this complete amazing chapel setting and blessed it beyond measure. None of us knew each other from Adam, and to this day, I couldn’t tell you what denomination any of them were. All I know is that we all were there together “in one accord.” Everyone, to include myself, put their differences and religious denominations aside to honor Jesus the Christ, the Son of the living God. If churches today would cooperate like this, we could turn the world upside down in no time.

You could go into this chapel on any day of the week and still feel God’s presence from the worship services earlier that week. The chapel was a Korean War leftover quonset hut with stained glass windows in it. God would fill it to capacity each week and His Spirit would flow like gentle water. I look at the pictures of Dee, my wife, and her untiring work and support and it brings back many fond memories. Then to top off the assignment, our wonderful son Robbie was born at the 121 Military Hospital in Seoul. To have a newborn in the middle of this wonderful ministry was quite a joy, to say the least. Robbie was quickly nicknamed Sunshine because when anyone walked into the room, he would light up the place with his winsome, fun personality.

Speaking of nicknames, I somehow nicknamed Nikki "Peaches." Now if any of you have daughters that you love with all your heart, you know how they are really not ordinary daughters but really a princess living in your home.

Here is where the story begins of the "Peaches and the Princess." Now I realized right off the bat as Nikki grew and matured into a beautiful young woman, that something wasn't right. I quickly realized that Nikki was from royalty and must have been switched at birth in the hospital nursery. At least that is what I told her over the years. I would mention to her that she really did deserve all that royalty could and should offer her, but for now, she was stuck in this middle-class family and would have to endure all the hardships until her rightful place could be restored.

We had many a laugh over this switching-in-the-nursery incident and her having to endure the hardships of her middle class family rearing. I have shared her plight with Jeremy and he says he fully understands, and still wants very much to marry her. If anyone would like to donate funds to insure that the royal line continues, see me for an offshore bank account in the Caymans.

I have to laugh to keep from crying. Imagine if you were the father of the bride and also one of the ministers conducting the wedding. Dave and I both will be uniting these two wonderful Christian loved ones in holy marriage. To top off this wonderful emotional event, today is my wife’s birthday. Now you flood your mind with your daughter getting married Saturday the 29th, and then 28 years of marriage to the girl of your dreams on her birthday, then brother you have an emotional roller coaster to say the least. Then to further round off this event, many of our "Korea Krew" are coming to the wedding to further plan for our much needed reunion later this summer. What a powerful bunch of Christian soldiers.

Pray for Dave and me, Dee and Cheryl, Robbie and Candice Campbell, as we unite this new couple and a new family begins. I know that my parents and those who have gone to be with the Lord on both sides of the family are also watching this glorious event. To God be the Glory, great things He has done. Send money!

(Dr. Knox Herndon is the pastor of His House Community Church (SBC). Rev. Greg Mausz is Sr. Assoc. Dr. Lydia Herndon is the Sunday School superintendent, Bible study coordinator and teacher. The church is on Ga. Highway 85 South near Senoia, a mile south of Ga. Highway 16, on the right just past the fire station. Visitors welcome. Church office and prayer line 770-719-2365. E-mail address is KHERN23654@aol.com. Web address is www.hishousecommunitychurch.com. Also visit www.ddaytravelingmuseum.com.)