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!
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