I grew up in a Christian home, where any time there was something going on at church, we were there. I first asked Jesus into my heart when I was around 5 years old. Living in a Christian home, I always assumed I was a Christian. I really never had a personal relationship with the Lord, until my early 20’s. I began to question my relationship with the Lord, while working at CTS. My co-workers would ask me why I believed the way I did or why I didn’t do certain things. The only answer I could come up with, at that point was, “that’s what my parents believed.” I began searching for something more. A revival was held at The First Missionary Church in Berne, where I had attended all my life. God really spoke to me during those services and I truly gave my heart and life to him. I can’t say that I have always lived the way I should have from that point on, but He has always been there to take me back and help me get back on track.
The song Through It All has been a big help in my Christian walk. The words go like this. “I've had many tears and sorrows, I've had questions for tomorrow, There've been times I didn't know right from wrong: But in every situation God gave blessed consolation that my trials come to only make me strong. Through it all, through it all, I've learned to trust in Jesus, I've learned to trust in God; Through it all, through it all, I've learned to depend upon His Word.” I love Him with all my heart and my desire is to serve Him in whatever way He wants.
Amos and I started attending the Church of the Nazarene in Berne in 1981. I was not a complete stranger to the Church of the Nazarene. As a child, my parents took me to revivals at the Nazarene Church. Almost from the first time Amos and I attended, we felt like we belonged. We came to The Bluffton Church of the Nazarene in 2000. When we started at Bluffton Nazarene, I felt spiritually defeated, as I had been going through a difficult situation in my life. God really spoke to me through Pastor Dan’s messages and Ralph Beals teaching. God knew just what I needed at that point in my life. I praise God for my church family. It is a real comfort to know that whenever I have a need or a problem, that I have my church family lifting me up in prayer.
Presently I am serving as assistant church librarian and singing in the choir. I enjoy both of these positions and will continue doing these things as long as the Lord wants me in these places. My desire is to serve Him to the best of my ability.
