There are many people out there who are sad, lonely, and not sure life is worth the struggle. Maybe that is you. Perhaps it would help you, and refresh the spirits of others, to hear, in their own words, people who have gotten through hard times. Even tragedy can seem "do-able" when we know we have help.

Our testimony :

Robert Rogers, Glenaire, Kansas, shared his love, joy and faith with more than 300 friends, family members and guests at Northland Abundant Life Worship Center on Aug. 28. 

"This is a joyful celebration," he said. "It is not meant to be a memorial service."

Rogers called the gathering a "musical commemoration of hope, healing and encouragement." Rogers presented his music and thoughts about his wife Melissa and their four children who died a year ago during the Jacob Creek flood along the Kansas turnpike.

"I hope with the storms that happened last night, you thought about my family," he said. "I want to give back to you now for supporting my family and me. For those who gave food, mowed the grass... I want to say thank you and pour some hope and encouragement into you. This is my testimony of Melissa and our children."

Rogers said he wanted the service to be like friends sitting on the couch in his living room while he shared his heart.

"My music has been very therapeutic," he said.

Rogers opened with "Behold My Family," a mostly instrumental piece where he spoke to God about the comfort he found in knowing his wife and children are in God's presence.

"I knew Melissa, with a big smile on her face, led our children into Heaven," he said.

Rogers said he is not strong, but obedient.

"I never wanted to be a public speaker," he said. "It is God guiding me, moving me to do this."

Rogers thanked friends from all over the United States who made the trek to be with him for the weekend, which culminated on the anniversary Aug. 30 at the Kansas turnpike with a brief service remembering his family.

"That night (my family and I) had ice cream after a wedding," Rogers said. "It's funny because Melissa and I had ice cream on our first date. Then we headed home. Five inches of rain fell between 8 and 9 p.m. that night. It was something like 32,000 gallons of water a second."

Rogers said he and Melissa felt the water first, then Makenah, their oldest.

"We were praying. Melissa was singing 'Lord I Lift Your Name on High.' God inhabited our van there. A righteous family has no fear," he said. "We were pressed against a concrete median. I kicked out the driver's side window and as I was swept out, I know Melissa and Mekenah were swept out too. I felt this peace and presence of God. It was like He said, 'I've got them.'"

Rogers said he managed to pull himself to the left bank and then walked back to the highway.

"I was taken to the hospital and my lungs were X-rayed," he said. "They were fine for all the struggling and gulping of water. I just had a few scratches."

He identified the bodies of his three youngest at 3 a.m.: Zachary, 5; Nicholas, 3; and Alenah, 1. Mekenah's body came in at 10 a.m. He said he waited for three days before workers recovered Melissa's body in a retention pond two miles from the freeway.

Rogers sang "Part of Me" about the memories of his family and "I Shall Always Love You," his Valentine's Day song to his wife.

Rogers shared a recording of his children singing Sunday School songs, Christmas carols and simple prayers said at dinner time.

Rogers is writing a song for each child. He shared the song dedicated to Mekenah, his first child.

"Don't take anything for granted," he said. "Turn off the TV and spend time together."

Rogers said his ministry has taken him all over the Midwest to tell his story. He said he has told the story about 50 times. He sells his musical recordings and a book.

"I don't charge for these talks," he said. "How can I put a price on my family?"

Rogers said he also donates to the Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City, Children's Mercy Hospital and Children's Hope International, the adoption agency the family used to adopt Alenah from China.

"I have started a fund called Alenah's Hope to help raise funds for people who want to adopt, but can't afford to," he said.

The gathering ended with Mekenah's peers from Sheri's Dance Academy dancing to "Keep on Dancing."

Robert's father, George, said hearing the story refreshed him.

"Robert is an example to me," he said. "He supported us through the tough times. I can only hope to try to emulate his strength."