Shelley Becker

Interview by Diana Gipson

Perhaps you have been greeted at SGC by Shelley Becker, who just recently began helping with the First Impressions ministry there.  This lovely lady leads a busy life and has a lot to share with us about finding and maintaining a joyful lifestyle.

Shelley and her husband Brent have been married for nine years and have two children, Jacob (8) and Jordyn (6).  They discovered SGC through their kids attending VBS two years in a row and loving it.  Their children didn't feel particularly connected at the church they were attending.  Neither Shelley nor Brent had enjoyed church as kids and didn't want the same thing for their children.  They decided to try SGC as a family and have been a part ever since! "It has been so wonderful for our family to go to Sugar Grove Church," she reflects. "For the first time since we have been married, we feel we are a part of a church.  Sugar Grove Church is what I have wanted for my family for so long, and I feel so blessed that we have found it."  Shelley herself became a believer in 1998, when a customer of hers led her to Christ.  "I will be eternally grateful to her and her husband," Shelley states.

A self-described "Jane of all trades," Shelley has traded the high heels and skirts of her former sales career for housework, laundry, volunteering at school and barn chores (which requires a Carhartt coat instead of an Anne Taylor jacket!).  She explains that she now doesn't have a job she gets paid for, but a job there isn't enough money to pay her for or enough time to finish. :)  It took her awhile to love what she does at home, but she does indeed love it now.  "I didn't understand it at first--I mean, how others did it.  It was really tough at first.  I desperately wanted to go back to work.  But now I get it.  And it's awesome!"

Shelley sees true joy as a choice that one can apply to anything, and for her that includes housework, meal planning, barn chores, volunteer obligations, etc.  She feels that these can be viewed as tasks or as opportunities to bless her family and others.  To give her family a clean, relaxing and inviting place to come home to, and a meal that truly nourishes their bodies and is enjoyable is a source of joy for Shelley.  "I even find the barn to be a place of solace where I can talk to the Lord and appreciate the amazing animals he has blessed us with."

An animal lover, Shelley enjoys taking care of their horses, goats, dogs and cats.  She loves to spend time with them and is amazed by how different each of them is.  One of her favorite perks resulting from time in the barn is the uninterrupted conversations she can have with her husband or the children, or both.  "No phone.  No TV.  Just talking. I love it when we are all out there together."

Togetherness is important to Shelley.  She uses the 20-minute drive to and from school everyday to connect with her kids.  Rather than listening to the radio, she opts for conversation during that time. "We talk about life, friendships, struggles--we solve it all in those 20 minutes, and it's priceless!  I have come to really appreciate that time.  It's time I never had with my own mom because she had to work while I grew up," she says.

Shelley also stays busy as part of the Little League board, volunteering at Loveway, Inc., and being involved in her children's school.  "I am so thankful that the Lord knew what was best for me and didn't just give me what I wanted.  I cannot imagine being anything other than a 'stay-at-home mom' right now."

When asked how she is teaching joy to her children, Shelley replies, "I like to think I teach the kids joy when I help them solve their struggles on their own with the Lord's help.  It's about guidance, I guess.  I received lots of that from my mom."  Shelley encourages her kids to seek the Lord every morning about everything and to take the time to notice the little things in life.

Christmas is a very special time of year for Shelley.  Her mother loved Christmas, and when her mother passed away, Shelley wanted to carry on her mom's warm, welcoming ways of treating everyone like family.  Shelley loves to have people over or buy little gifts for people who aren't expecting it.  "It feels so good to let others know you think of them when they are least expecting it!" she says.

Shelley says of her favorite verse, Luke 11:9, "Ask . . . Seek . . . Knock!  I love it!  The Lord is always there for me.  I just need to seek Him.  I was so independent before the Lord, and through all of my success I was struggling terribly.  Today, I am so dependent on Him.  I would rather do things the right way the first time!"

Shannon Oakes

Interview by Diana Gipson

Shannon Oakes sees stewardship as "the intentional  deploying of the resources one is given in a responsible manner that serves to benefit others, without thought to personal gain."  She has a great deal of experience with the stewardship of funds!  She has been the Office Manager and Scholarships Coordinator on behalf of the Elkhart County Community Foundation for eleven years.  This not-for-profit organization helps other not-for-profit agencies such as ADEC, CAPS, Boys and Girls Clubs, Bashor Children's Home and the food pantry at West Goshen Elementary, which is dear to the heart of SGC.  Elkhart County Community Foundation regularly stays in touch with the agencies it helps, so the needs of the community are always known.  Scholarships are another important involvement of the foundation.  A favorite part of Shannon's job is to contact families who have been awarded  a Lilly Scholarship, which offers its recipients a full-ride scholarship to any school in the state.  "The worst part of my job," she admits, "is calling the runner-up because all these children are amazing and I wish I could give them all a Lilly!"

Shannon and her family began attending SGC in September of 2008.  They had been members of a church in Bristol, where her husband, Tony, grew up attending, but, after two years of thinking and praying about it, they made the difficult decision to find a new church home.  "Leaving our family and friends was difficult, but imperative for our own personal and  spiritual growth," she says.  One of the needs on their list as they visited churches was "no family."  She explains, "I know that sounds a bit harsh, but at our home church our identity was linked directly to everyone else in the family.  We were hoping to start off somewhere new as just Tony and Shannon and the kids, without all the family history."

They also decided they would visit several churches and not stop at the first one, no matter what.  Sugar Grove was the first church they visited, and, ironically, twelve weeks and seven churches later, it was Sugar Grove that they decided was for them.  In fact, they had bragged so much about what a great church SGC was after their first week of visiting, Tony's parents and his sister's family had already begun attending SGC!  This fact caused Shannon to think twice, but she is so glad Tony and she decided to make SGC their home church after all.

Shannon describes her own walk with God as "hit or miss" as she grew up.  She was baptized and had her first communion in the Catholic church, and then her parents fell away from their faith when Shannon was in fourth grade.  She attended various Sunday services and youth groups with friends, but didn't understand the basics of faith, like reading and understanding the Bible, until she met her husband.  Out of embarrassment over her lack of biblical knowledge compared to her husband, she sought out a mutual friend of theirs, Jennifer Leiby, to explain the Bible to her.  Fifteen years later, Shannon feels indebted to her friend for helping her to understand the Bible without ever shaming Shannon for her ignorance of the Bible.

Children are very important to Shannon, and God has gifted her to interact with them well. She is involved with a program called CARE, a mentoring program which matches up students with adults who commit to spending a half hour per week with them.  Shannon now mentors three children and is excited about being able to "follow" these kids up through high school.  She believes it is important to put ourselves in the shoes of children, get down on their level and treat them with love and respect.

When asked about her family, Shannon comments, "If I believed in fairy tales, I would have to say that I am living my 'Happily Ever After.'"  She met her husband, Tony, 18 years ago in San Diego, California.  Tony was serving in the United States Navy and San Diego was Shannon's hometown.  They met at a Halloween party neither had intended to attend.  "Truthfully," she remembers, "I had a date that night, but my girlfriend begged me to go to the party instead.  I agreed to attend for a short time, then had plans to leave for my date.  I never did leave, and, well, here we are!"

Tony and Shannon dated four years before marrying. Tony, divorced, needed time to be reassured Shannon wasn't going anywhere.  Shannon, on the other hand, knew Tony was "the one," and even wrote in her journal a few months into their dating, "I am going to marry Tony Oakes."  The couple have now been married 14 years and have been blessed with three beautiful girls:  Victoria (11), Sydnee (3) and their host daughter, Christine (22), who has been a part of their family for six years.

Shannon's favorite thing to do is read, and she makes weekly trips with her daughters to the library.  She reveals a couple of her wishes as well.  She would like to learn to fly.  "I have always had a desire to get my pilot's license," she remarks.  Another of her dreams, if she can ever convince her husband, is to learn ballroom dancing.  "I won't be holding my breath for that, though!" :)

Rachel Eger

Interview by Diana Gipson

Rachel Eger knows a lot about family.  She is a member of a large family tree whose branches reach extensively into the past, present and future, even within SGC.  Rachel herself grew up as one of ten children, nine girls and one boy.  She was the youngest, so, "According to my sisters, I was the spoiled brat!" she says.  "Aunt Carrie Stark told my mother I rode around in the air too much, meaning I was carried around by family members," Rachel remembers.

At the age of ten, Rachel went to the altar to be saved, but was not talked to individually about it at the time.  She did not receive the assurance of her salvation until after being married.

Rachel met her late husband, Herman, because he was the brother of the husbands of two of her sisters.  "He showed up at my house one afternoon in his Navy uniform.  I was getting ready to go to my piano lesson, so he took me there and brought me home.  He followed me to the barn while I milked my cow, then took me to see Snow White, which was my first date."  Rachel wanted a husband who knew the Lord, and Herman was saved while they were dating.  They were married September 18, 1948, and celebrated 60 years of marriage two months before Herman went to his heavenly home.

Rachel has four children:  Jean Wing, who lives in Florida; Joan Miller, Chris Stembel and Steve, who all live in this area and attend SGC.  She also has seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and one on the way!

"Not having any younger sisters, I was very green at raising a family," she recalls.  "I learned that it is very important for husband and wife to agree on disciplining the children."

When making decisions about her family, Rachel often referred to Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go:  and when he is old, he will not depart from it."  She advises young parents to be in agreement with their spouses and stick together on discipline.

Rachel's life verses are Proverbs 3:5&6:  "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not onto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths."  When asked for her words of wisdom for women who have lost the loves of their lives, she replies, "Keep busy praying and caring for others.  Learn to enjoy being alone and spending more time in the Word.  Eat healthy meals, and exercise--even if you have to do it alone."

Rachel appreciates her family so much for the help they give her.  They are always there for her.  Sometimes she doesn't feel like driving somewhere and she can count on them to give her a ride.  "I'm thankful for all of them," she says.  Her favorite family activities include getting together for birthday parties and family camping trips.

Families can't help but to have funny times here and there, even if the humor isn't appreciated until later.  Rachel remembers a couple of those situations in her family, like the time her twin sisters pulled out the flour bin and showered each other with flour.  "Mom didn't think it was funny," she recalls.  Another time Rachel remembers involved her oldest daughter.  "When Joan was born, Christine and Frank invited us over for dinner.  Jean was in the bathroom by herself and unrolled the toilet paper, some in the toilet and some on the floor.  Frank cleaned it up, only to have Jean do the same thing again.  It wasn't funny at the time, but it is now!"

Thank you, Rachel, for sharing your memories and wisdom with us!

Barb Guthrie

Interview by Diana Gipson

"Did I tell you that my students were also my teachers and heroes?"

Barb Guthrie has no doubt it was God who led her to Sugar Grove Church.  When she moved to Goshen in 2008, her hairstylist suggest SGC to her and, after trying out another church that didn't seem the right fit, Barb decided to try SGC.  "The overwhelming love of God oozes from Sugar Grove Church, through individuals, outreach ministries, the messages, and friendships made.  The Holy Spirit regins and there is no better reason for me to remain," she comments.  Barb is excited about what God is doing, how He is showing Himself, and she looks forward to becoming more and more a part of the SGC ministry as a whole.  "Wild horses and golden chariots could not steal me away at this point in my life!"

Growing up with two brothers and two sisters, Barb was first exposed to Christianity when she was six years old and her father decided the family needed to attend church.  She clearly remembers the night when, at age seven, she lay awake in bed talking with the "Jesus" she had learned so much about in Sunday school.  "I felt His very strong 'knock.'"  She found her mother still up, crocheting, as Barb's dad worked the late shift.  "I went downstairs to Mom, with tears streaming and simply told her, 'I need to ask Jesus into my heart.'"  Barb's life changed forever that night as she listened to Scripture and was led in prayer, and the Holy Spirit filled her heart.  "I've often wondered how a 7-year-old could have such an overwhelming experience and life-change," she reflects.  "But that's our God!  He's in the business of gathering His flock, regardless of age, background, culture or race."

Unfortunately, Barb recalls that her "Christian home" took a turn for the worst a few years later when her parents allowed some disappointments to cause them to pull the family out of church.  "It wasn't until I was 18 that God's amazing grace drew me back to Him."  In the course of her family's life so far, her father, now deceased, is the only one, other than herself, to have completely turned back to the Lord.  "To this day, he remains my hero for turning his eyes upon Jesus once again," she declares.

Though she never thought she would be a missionary, Barb spent nearly three years in Malawi, Africa.  She explains, "Sometimes when you say, 'no,' and He says, 'yes,' you learn some very hard but growing lessons.  The whole experience, from the time I first acknowledged His call to the area of overseas missions, was another total turn in life."  She learned a great deal and witnessed many miracles during her time in Africa.  She faced very tough and life threatening times on the field, but testifies that the blessings far outweighed the hard times. "I would not trade those years for anything," she proclaims.

Barb returned to the States in 2007, and is currently an Insurance Specialist for a medical practice in Goshen.  She loves being outdoors, and that's where you will find her most of the summer months when she is not at work.  Bike-riding, walking and hiking are some of the activities she enjoys most.  She also loves festivals and fairs, reading and Bible study.  "I suppose you could say I'm always wanting to peek around the corner to see what's next," she says.  Barb enjoys people and cherishes all the friends God has blessed her with--from every place He has planted her during various periods of her life.

When asked about her seemingly calm and restful approach to life, Barb quotes something she heard not long ago that she sees as describing her life since coming back to the States from Africa:  "I have sprinted from a multitude of activity to a marathon of patience."  She acknowledges that after being on the mission field 24/7 for nearly three years, back in the states she sometimes wonders what God wants her to do here.  "Very recently, I felt Him touch my shoulders and say, 'Patience! Why do you feel you always need to be doing? This is a time to be . . . to listen . . . to witness. Share the messages I have taught you from the messes.'"  Barb is now grateful to be sharing her life with all of you!  "My life and heart are so full of His love, grace and faithfulness.  I can never give back enough."

A favorite Bible verse, close to Barb's heart because it is a favorite of one of her former African students, is Jeremiah 29:11.  She believes that if anyone takes this verse to heart, it is they who live in mud huts with scarce food and no electricity; those who walk to school, two miles each way for some, every day, because they know it is God Who provides for them and has a plan for each of their lives.  "Did I tell you that my students were also my teachers and heroes?" she remarks.

Barb also loves another, "less traditional" verse, John 17:24:  "Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world."  (ESV)  She encourages, "How could we not be touched by such a loving plea from Jesus to His Father for you and me?"

A final thought Barb wanted to share with us:  "I have to tell you that every turn and every change is a complete story in itself.  And it's only the tip of the iceberg.  Hopefully, we can all look back and forward at our lives as such.  I pray many blessings upon all of my new SGC family and give thanks for each and every one."

Kim Krivanek

Interview by Diana Gipson

"God is good to me!"

Kim Krivanek is a busy lady at SGC, serving in the REACH ministry, the youth ministry and helping prepare for some of the Women of Worth projects.  Kim and her husband, Derreck, also belong to a Life Group.  "Sugar Grove Church feels like a family to us.  We know there are people there who love us and genuinely care about us."

Looking back on how they came to attend SGC, Kim says they were attending another church that was not going in the direction they felt led to go.  Kim had worked with Marilyn Johnson for many years, and Marilyn had invited Kim to SGC before.  "I thought it was just a small 'country' church," she remembers.  After visiting a couple other churches, Kim and Derreck decided to give SGC a try.  "Pastor Ted was preaching.  He introduced himself to us and made us feel welcome.  The next time we came to church, he said hello and remembered Derreck's name.  We have been coming to Sugar Grove Church ever since."

Kim has been a believer since childhood and credits her paternal grandparents, devout Christians, for being a huge influence on who she is today.  Her parents were divorced when Kim was five, so she spent a lot of time with her grandparents.

When Kim was 18 and attending Vincennes University, her mother, who was always confused about the Bible and organized religion, became a Jehovah's Witness.  Kim's mom has been an active "Witness" since that time.

Despite her grandparents' Christian influence and her own faith, Kim wandered away from the Lord for many years.  In 1996, she was introduced to Narcotics Anonymous, a 12-step program designed to help people find freedom from active addiction.  On April 10, she will celebrate 15 years of being clean from drugs and alcohol!

A few years later, she rededicated her life to the Lord while attending Elkhart Baptist Church.  "I am not one who can tell you the day or the time when it took place," she says.  "I just know that it did and my life has not been the same since!"

What does living an abundant life mean to Kim?  "It means living for the Lord, not being afraid to tell people about what God has done for me and will do for them if they will trust and believe in Him.  It's enjoying life in its fullness, keeping God first."  To find the peace that goes with an abundant life, Kim goes to the Lord, spends time with friends, gets into God's Word, prays or goes to a meeting.  "God is so good to me," she reflects.

Keeping her life full are her husband of 9 1/2 years, Derreck, her son and daughter-in-law, Kyler and Kelsey, and her granddaughter, Alexis.  "She is such a blessing--she is so sweet and cute!"  She describes Derreck, whom she met in Narcotics Anonymous, as supportive, loving, caring, compassionate and understanding.  "It has been quite an adventure to watch how God has worked in our lives," she remarks.

Patrick, the 14-year-old young man for whom Kim and Derreck are legal guardians, also keeps their lives abundantly full.  He was in foster care with Kim's good friend, Sara, and then returned home to his morther.  "Life took a turn for the worst for Patrick, and his mother asked if we would take care of him," Kim explains.  "In order to do this we felt we needed to make it legally binding, so, with some help from a friend, we are now Patrick's legal guardians."  Patrick refers to Kim and Derreck as "Aunt" and "Uncle," which is just fine with them.  "He has been and continues to be a blessing to Derreck and myself."

Some of Kim's favorite things to do are read, go to the beach with family, and dinners with family and friends.  "We love to travel when we can," she adds.  Her favorite verse?  "Philippians 4:13: 'I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.'  This would be my life verse.  I use it at home, at work, in the car.  No matter what I have to deal with, this verse helps me to remember Who is always for me and with me."

Val Bierlein

Interview by Diana Gipson

"Put legs to your faith!"

Val Bierlein is a long-time "Grover" who has learned much about patience and endurance through unexpected turns in her life.  We are blessed to have her share a bit of her life and wisdom with us here on WoW Connect!

Growing up in LaPorte, Val, along with her parents and her brother, went to church on "big holidays" and "believed in God," but Val doesn't recall hearing the true Gospel message until she was in college.  Her parents sometimes dropped Val and her brother off at Sunday School, but her parents did not become Christians until she was in college.  Val herself attended youth group as a teenager and was searching for spiritual truths, but was more focused on the social aspects of church life.

Many changes took place during Val's college years at IU Bloomington.  Campus Crusade for Christ was active and people all around her were being saved.  She became ill and, at the age of 19, had to withdraw from school, leave her sorority, social life and everything else, to stay in a hospital in Chicago for six weeks."I entered the world of the 'teaching hospital,'" she remembers, "with examinations by everybody from med students up to attending physicians, making rounds and asking and examining the same thing."

The diagnosis turned out to be Lupus Nephritis, and the then-revolutionary treatments began.  Val endured the side effects and the possibility that she may not be able to have children someday.  "My mother drove from LaPorte to Chicago every day to keep me company, bring me books, interesting snacks, read to me, laugh with me, and bring me my mail.  It was 75 minutes each way.  She dropped everything for me.  She endured and persevered."

Val's dad was a strong encouragement as well during this difficult time.  She credits him for coining the phrase, "We're going to do what we have to do to get you well."  Val decided she would indeed endure whatever it took.  She would need this attitude at later times when she faced two more bouts of the same thing, a major surgery and lymphoma.  

Her early 20s found Val working in Cincinnati, where some ladies from Campus Crusade were able to answer her questions and help her understand eternal salvation.  She accepted the Lord and can now look back and see the many seeds planted along the way.  "I'll have a lot of Thank Yous in heaven!"  Val's life was touched by the witness of her sister-in-law, who had become a Christ-follower. "The change was so evident in every area of her life, that I knew there really was something to this 'born again' business."

In Val's experience, the key ingredients to building her walk with the Lord have been discipleship, Bible study, good fellowship, and service.  Elaborating on the service aspect, Val encourages, "Put legs to your faith!  Find a place to fit in at church and give back to the Lord with the gifts He has given.  There is blessing in service that goes both ways."  Val has been involved in ladies and youth ministries over the years and has even recently stretched beyond her comfort zone to help in the nursery and VBS.

Val has two grown children, Drew and EmiJo.  Drew and his wife live in Mesa, AZ, and they have three children--two boys and a girl.  EmiJo lives in Mishawaka and has a son, and is expecting a daughter in early June.  "Being a Nana is the best!" Val says.  "I love to go Granny-grabbing and spend time with all the grands."  It's obvious to anyone with eyes and ears how much Val loves her grandchildren!

An unexpected circumstance that has arisen somewhat recently in Val's life is that of being single.  "I only took my marriage to our pastor and elders after years of perseverance and endurance and patience.  I sought the Lord and godly wisdom for years.  I have found that it is true that the Lord can be my husband and provider."

Then came the loss of her beloved mom this past October.  Though it was a difficult loss, the family chose to turn the memorial service into a celebration of her life and the eternal life they have as a result of her example.

Psalm 121 is one of Val's favorite Bible passages.  "I lift up my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."  Val says, "It is a constant reminder to keep looking up."  Another favorite is Philippians 4:13. "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength."  She adds, "That includes the patience to get through the little things and endurance to hang in there through the long, tough stuff."

Val is very thankful for how the SGC family has embraced and comforted her.  "I have had several single women visitors say they feel it is difficult to attend church as a single woman."  Val encourages them to get plugged in to the connections classes and other ministries offered at SGC.  She recognizes it takes effort on the parts of both the church and those seeking to belong.

"Going through the tough stuff with the Lord, leaning on the Lord even when people let you down is the difference between night and day." 

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Liz Myers

Interview by Diana Gipson

If you're a "Grover," Liz has probably ministered to you in one way or another!

Liz Myers has been an active member of SGC for a long time, and you've probably had opportunities to interact with her as she has greeted you with a friendly smile on Sunday mornings.  The greeter ministry, along with the missions, kitchen and women's committees, keep Liz busy at SGC.  If you have young children, she has probably touched their lives through her work in the nursery and Sparks.

Liz became a Christ-follower during her college years, when she saw the Billy Graham Association film, A Time to Run, which was playing in a movie theater in her home town.  Afterward, she went forward and accepted Christ.  Soon after, her family moved to Goshen, and the Billy Graham Association did a great job following up with her, introducing her to a local church with a Youth for Christ Bible study for young adults.

God apparently led her to that particular place for more than one reason--on her very first night of Bible study, she met her future husband, Dave!  "The first night of Bible study was April 25, 1974.  I know that because it was Dave's 21st birthday.  I was his birthday present!"  Dave and Liz have two grown children.  Teresa just finished her doctorate in communications at Ohio State, and is in a fellowship there.  Andy is a realtor with Myers Trust and part owner in an ink company.  He is active at SGC with the youth ministry and missions.

The couple also has three children waiting for them in heaven, including their first child, who was miscarried.  "We were so excited and had just told all the family, so it was hard," she recalls.  Their son, Jacob was stillborn in 1987.  Jessica was born, in 1989, with "Biliary Atresia," a condition of the liver which required surgery at the age of ten weeks.  When she was eight years old, her liver began to fail and she was put on the transplant list.  Her first transplant was successful, but then her body rejected the liver.  In October, 1999, she had another transplant, followed by many more surgeries, but the Lord took her to heaven to be with Him.  "As difficult as that was, NEVER did I feel alone," Liz remembers.  "His presence was always with me to comfort and guide me.  And He used so many sisters and brothers in Christ to be His hands, His arms, His feet, that we were constantly reminded of His faithfulness and love for us.  Praise belongs to Him!"

When asked how she would define integrity and character, Liz replies, "Character is one's nature, a sum total of a person's qualities or behavior, exemplified by what they think, say or do.  Integrity is the quality of being honest or truthful, even under pressure."

Liz credits three main things for helping build character and integrity in her life.  First, her Savior, Jesus Christ, has been her guide and her rock through many events in her life.  "Faithful is He!" she says.  "Often we think the difficult times in our lives help shape us, and they do to an extent, but the difficult times really just show what our character is.  And for me, they have served as course correctors, steering me back to a closer walk with Him."

Secondly, God's Word has helped build her character.  She quotes 2 Timothy 3:16, "All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness."

The third main ingredient in building character and integrity in her life is family.  "The growing up family, my own family and my church family--I have learned and grown from them all!  What a precious treasure they are in my life!"

Some of Liz's "favorites" include playing games, reading and enjoying time with friends.  Her favorite vacation spots so far?  "My recent trip to Hawaii--still got my tan! :)  I went to London with Becky Merrell and on an Alaskan cruise with many friends--good times!"

Some of Liz's favorite verses are:

Isaiah 26:3  You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

Habakkuk 3:17-19  Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD.  I will be joyful in God my Savior.  The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.

Psalm 91:1,2  Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

Linda Miller

Interview by Diana Gipson

 Unless you already knew, you would never guess this fashionable lady was raised in an Amish home.

Linda Miller's smile lights up her whole face, and you can tell it comes from a joyful heart.  Maybe you know her from church, and/or perhaps she's greeted you at the Essenhaus, where she has worked for 22 years.  Wherever you might see her, she is friendly and fun to be around.  Her joy is the real thing, and Linda has walked quite a road through her life to find the joy of the Lord!  She knows all about new beginnings.

Growing up Amish, Linda was taught to do what the church rules stated, and that was that.  "It was more works-related than a relationship with God," she remembers.  Her parents, though, were interested in things of the Bible.  "My dad had a daily devotional, read in English, which was frowned upon in most homes back then."  Linda learned work ethics and did many things with her family and neighbors.

The Amish have a tradition of allowing their teenage children (16 and up) to experience Rumspringa, or a time to explore the non-Amish world before choosing whether or not to be baptized into the Amish church.  Many times this includes partying and dating couples sleeping together.  Linda's parents did not want her involved in these kinds of activities.  Apparently, the Word of God being read in their home was working on their hearts!

One month shy of her 16th birthday, Linda's family left the Amish church.  "I lost all my friends because no one could have anything to do with us.  We were put under a ban for 6-8 months."  Her parents were trying to follow the Lord's leading but because of the bondage of legalism, chose a more lenient yet still rules-oriented church.  Linda responded during an evangelistic service at their new church, asked Jesus to be her Savior and was baptized.  "I knew I needed something more in my life," she says.  "God drew me to Himself."

But Linda still had many questions and, because of this, was deemed rebellious.  "I was an outgoing, rambunctious, full of life kind of person.  I believe they thought my questions equaled not wanting to follow rules, when in reality I wanted to know truth!"  As Linda read her Bible, many questions would come up, but they always went unanswered.  She didn't understand why she was asked to comply with so many rules and was even put on probation for having questions!  "I started to question my faith.  If this is what it means to be a Christian, I didn't know if I really needed or wanted it!"

Then she met Floyd, her husband now, at the age of seventeen.  She says it was kind of "love at first sight," but their church had a rule about not dating until the age of eighteen.  They got to know each other in a group setting and then had their first date on her 18th birthday.  Floyd, too, was raised in a rules-oriented church, and she eventually joined him there.  After dating over three years, they married in November of 1975.

At the birth of their first daughter, Jessica, they felt that God was leading them to attend a church where they could live out what they really believed.  The church was Mennonite, but still "liberal" enough that their parents were devastated!

After their second daughter, Melissa, and son, Eric, were born, Linda was very busy with motherhood and starting a Moms in Touch group in the Middlebury School Corp.  Floyd and Linda continued to learn and grow in the Lord and realized the freedom of Christ!  They were very active in their church, but found themselves questioning the legalism, and whether or not they were at the right church.  They went to another Mennonite church, where God healed them of past hurts and pains of legalism.

In 1990, Linda's mom was killed while vacationing in Florida.  This was a very difficult time in Linda's life.  Growing up with three brothers and never having sisters, Linda was close to her mom even though they didn't agree on everything.  "I didn't understand why," she recalls.  "But I somehow knew God allowed this to happen for His glory and for our good.  I learned to trust God in a deeper sort of way!"  This experience drew her family closer to God and to one another.  "I still miss her but thank God for what she taught me--to follow God!  No matter what!"

Floyd and Linda were drawn to Sugar Grove Church because of the fundamental truths taught.  "The BIBLE, not some other person or ideas!  But the truths are heard and taught, and we love that there is a freedom in Christ--in action, taught and seen in everyday, common people here, and yet a heart of service toward less fortunate people, a community that feels like family and hearts drawn toward God."  Linda loves the Precepts Bible Study as well.

"I have learned that there truly is a freedom in Christ as we give our total self, all of us, every part of me to God, to use for His glory!  God is more than legalism and man-made rules and the formalities I was engulfed in.  God is the author of my faith--He has given the rules for holy living.  We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ!"

What are some of Linda's loves?  She loves spending time with her family, including her two grandchildren, Isabella and Isaiah.  Also topping her list are decorating, gardening, shopping (or looking), musicals, socializing with friends, walking and visiting her daughter and son-in-law in Florida--in the winter! :)

She also loves encouraging people and praying with them.  "I believe in the power of prayer!"

A favorite Bible passage is Daniel 2:20-23: "Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king."

From Amish rule-follower to free Christ-follower, Linda sums up her life in three powerful words, "God is Awesome!"