Ray Oscar Gertsch

Hi family I wanted a pic of my dad and couldn't find the one I wanted so I'm using this one from the good old days--and I don't have to crop him---alone, so you you get the tail, end of the fam. me , LaNae, my mom and my dad

on our trip to Hawaii dad and I had a man cross our path as we were in the ocean --and he was there too and he told us some of his interaction with LDS people and asked us to clarify a point about us not wearing crosses. Dad is good at listening to people and hearing their thoughts and then expressing the truth--It prompted me to want to bear my testimony to our ward and to each of you so that you will know that "your mother knew it" was true as it says in the B of M
Last Sunday (Fast Sunday) I bore my testimony of the influence of the Holy Ghost in my Life I believe that the H.G has bouyed me up so many times when I have been un-easy or down right scared---and needed courage to do or say or teach you or do my work--etc...its incredible.
(brad kerri and hayley heard all of these thoughts about this because they were there and gave me courage to share my thoughts --but I wanted to share my thoughts with the rest of you that we're not there.
I also testified then and now to you :
*of a Father in Heaven that loves us and answered my prayers --
& and I also spoke of my love for a Heavenly Father --who gives us the Freedom of this land.. I spoke a little of my dad Ray--He had been on my mind a lot the day of the testimony (july 5th) that was the day of his funeral 23 years ago--I was proud of the way he loved education and taught me to love it too.
I told of his serving in WW II --and how Bonnie met him for the first time at age 2--I didn't mention this at the time of testimony--but It was so very sad for him--his brothers were also in various branches of the army or navey for the war too (four brothers all together-) then the sad day came of the news that their mother Elise had died from an illness--my dad was heartbroken to miss the funeral. Also serving in the war--set him back in some of his goals personally --for example building his dream home for his new bride etc. (that goal of the new home was put on hold for many years)--anyway..I recently read some letters during this time that he served and he was so positive and he tried very hard to learn of his war experiences. Well family I share these things with you now. because I am proud of the part my father played in preserving our freedoms and I bear testimony that I feel he had a mission to fulfill and Heavenly Father put him in places during that time to be protected to fulfill all that he was sent to earth to do.
we are in a spiritual war of sorts--building our testimony is so important..I don't know what the future holds but I believe the apostles of the church when they tell us to have individual testimonies--I am glad that each of you are trying to build the kingdom and I close tonight with my testimony that was first just hoping and believing the gospel was true --but through trying to live the gospel priciples--now I can honestly say that I "know" it is true and I love it and am glad to share these thoughts with you about my feelings from things that I have come to know.