1 Corinthians 13:4-7, From a book called, “The Message.”

“Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head, Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always ‘me first,’ Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, Doesn’t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.”

I have lived 72 years here on earth. I could write pages and pages. My life has been a gradual growing in the Lord. I was brought up in a devout Catholic home, the oldest of five kids in the 1950's and 1960's. Life was pretty simple and uncomplicated back then. I went to a Catholic school. I went to Mass every school day and every Sunday, no excuses unless you were sick in bed.

I met my future husband Tim in high school. We were high school sweethearts. After we graduated Tim joined the Air Force in 1970. We got married in the Catholic church in 1971. It was a beautiful, symbolic ceremony.

After I graduated college in 1972 I went to the Philippines to live with Tim as husband and wife. It was fun and chaotic. I tried to go to church, but we didn't have a car, and I didn't like riding the buses and taxis by myself. So, I sort of fell away from going to church.

We moved to Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico in 1973.  After a few years our marriage started breaking down. So I made a decision to give church and God my full attention. I started going to church every Sunday. I joined the folk choir, Women's group, and then a charismatic prayer group. I loved the intimacy. I loved the music. I watched my friends pray over each other. Some prayed in tongues, which fascinated me. I was curious. This was something new and different. Finally, I wanted the joy and peace they had so I asked to be prayed over. Pow! I received the Holy Spirit. When I came home Tim said I was like a “smiley face with legs.” There was no turning back for me. Now God was real, He was alive, He was personal. This was 1978, and I was twenty-six years old.   

That was what I could call a turning point in my life. I have grown. I have had struggles. I have had wonderful times with God and God's family. I have seen miracles and answered prayers. My husband gave his life to the Lord six months after me. I always wanted this, but my prayers were answered two hundred percent! God made Tim a preacher! You have to hear his testimony. It's great.

Our life in New Mexico was like a spiritual honeymoon. Then in 1981 we moved to Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. I found a new church home there. As always, we made new friends. Tim was studying to become a minister. In 1983 he left the Air Force and all its income and security. Tim did some evangelistic preaching. I worked in an office on the base. We were wanting to start our family, but God did not bless us in that department. After years of tests and procedures, we stopped trying and started the adoption process. That is a whole big story in itself. God did some wonderful things for us. In 1993 God blessed us with a baby girl that we named Christa, after our Lord.

Tim accepted the pastorate of the Assembly of God church in Carrollton, Ohio, in 1993. Thus began my life as a pastor's wife for the next twenty-five years. I jumped in wholeheartedly. This church didn't pay much, but we were so happy. I was able to stay home and raise our daughter that we waited twenty years for.  

After ministering for six years in Carrollton we went on to pastor for nineteen years at Monroeville Assembly in Salineville, Ohio. We retired from church in 2019, but not in the ministry for our Lord.

We have lived in Mechanicstown for Thirty-one years now. My life with the Lord has been a steady growth. I have been learning to trust Him more and listen to Him more. Each season has brought challenges and growth, sadness and joy.

I don't know how many years I have left here on earth. I am seventy-two years old now. I am thankful for my health, my husband, my family and friends. Every day is a new adventure. Every day I want to see a new side to God.