Tasha Berger

By Julie Overholt

What a difference a month can make! We quickly go from falling leaves to snow flurries and hints of "Christmas, everywhere we go!" Our schedules will most likely become a little more hectic as we prepare for the celebration of His birth and the coming holiday season. Thank you for taking a few moments to stop and listen in while I interview Tasha Berger! (Grab something hot to drink while you're at it...)

Tasha and her husband Dan have been attending SGC for a little less than a year. Their children began attending AWANA late in the fall of last year. Soon afterwards, the whole family began visiting SGC on Sunday mornings, and their oldest daughter, Madison, really plugged into the Crossfire youth group.  All of these reasons came together for them to strongly believe they had found a home church.

Tasha and Dan met in a history class at IUSB and have been married for 19 years. They have four children: Madison, 17;  Aidan, 12;  Andrew, 10;  and  Lauren, 6. I asked Tasha what she would say is the best part about being a woman. Her son "helped her" with this answer: "You get to be pregnant and have children!" Her reply? "Yes, that is a miracle and blessing, but I will have to think about that one." (smile) Tasha told me one of the things that makes her laugh is spending time with her own "little comedians," a.k.a. her children. I think we just got a glimpse of their wit!

Tasha has lived in the Goshen area for most of her life, graduating from Northwood High School and later Indiana University.  The loyal alumnus still exclaims, "GO I.U.!!"  :)  She has worked at Crown International, where for seven years she was a Sales Manager for the Broadcast Division. Her husband experienced a job transfer with his employer, Coachmen, which led them to Ft. Wayne, where she worked for Medline Industries selling medical supplies for three years. Since relocating back to Goshen in 2002, she has been a stay-at-home mom.

Tasha grew up attending church and spent her first thirty years at Bethel Missionary Church. She asked Jesus to be her Savior when she was nine years old at Prairie Camp on C.R. 9 in Goshen. "My walk as a Christian has continued to grow over the years. Not every day has been bright, but I like what James 1: 2-3 says: 'Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.' I believe my faith has grown stronger over the years and I continue trusting in Him and His plan for my life."

Tasha's grandmother's life has inspired and influenced her to this day. She passed away due to cancer in 2000 and left behind a legacy to follow in so many ways. "My grandma Helen was the most loving, honest, and thoughtful woman I have ever known. She had a joy that just shined through everything she did. We called her 'Happy Helen.' Her faith in God was so strong and has inspired me to seek God all of my days until I'm able to embrace her again in Heaven someday."

Tasha's own answer to the best part about being a woman is the relationships that we share. "We have special connections with our mothers, our sisters, our children, and our friends." It's easy to see that Tasha had a godly role model in this area in "Happy Helen!"

Verses that have become meaningful to Tasha's heart (she said it's difficult to pinpoint one verse or passage - I can relate) and play through her mind often are found in Philippians 4: 6-7: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." "These verses speak to me when I want to allow myself to get swept away with stress and worry, which takes my focus away from Him. It reminds me to rest in Him and not to become consumed with things that I cannot control. A reminder to give those worries to Christ and in turn experience the peace and joy that we can know through our relationship with Him." (Amen!)

Raising four children leaves Tasha with little time for hobbies, but she does enjoy traveling, reading, and cooking. She is also continuing to enjoy sports more as she spends a lot of time watching her boys play soccer, football, basketball, and baseball. She enjoys laughing at good, clean comedy such as America's Funniest Home Videos.

Some things that people may not know about Tasha?

• She swam on the swim team in high school.
• She used to be able to sing fairly well. "My voice changed dramatically after I had children." (Are you being too hard on yourself, Tasha? Wink.)
• She plays the piano.
• Harry Connick, Jr. shared a truffle with her during his concert in Chicago two years ago!

We're coming to a close and I would like to wrap up the interview with some quick popcorn trivia. (Maybe we should switch it to "snowball trivia" this time as I fire quick questions at her?!)
Three words to describe myself: (These are from my husband. I had no idea.) Driven. Empathetic. Thoughtful.
Shy or Outgoing? Outgoing
Tomboy or princess? A little of each.
Coffee or Tea? Coffee
Oceanside or Mountainside? Oceanside
The perfect meal? Lettuce wraps from PF Chang's. "YUM!"
Morning person or night owl? Morning person.
I'd love to travel to: London, England
New purse or new shoes? New purse.
Listen, read, or watch, to learn? Watch
Favorite holiday? I suppose Christmas. I have always enjoyed the traditions, my children's excitement, the food, (hear, hear!) and the fact that we behold the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior.

May you have a WONDERFUL Christmas season, Tasha! We thank you for allowing us a glimpse into your life so that we might get to know you better.

"For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

Blessings to you and yours this holiday season. xoxo

Erin Baranic

By Julie Overholt

Fall is in the air! A changing of the seasons, and a perfect time of the year to get to know a fellow sister in Christ at Sugar Grove Church! So, grab your cup of coffee or tea, throw on a scarf and some boots and let's take a walk with Erin Baranic while we enjoy some brightly colored leaves crunching underfoot.

Fall is Erin's favorite season. Her "thankful list" for this season includes cool temperatures, beautiful leaves, football season, and bonfires. Thanksgiving is her favorite holiday because of quality time with family, great food, (hear, hear!) and the reminder it brings to count our blessings and to be thankful.

Erin is originally from Stow, OH (near Cleveland) and grew up in a Christian church. "Although I was raised in a Christian church, I didn't come to know Christ personally until I was a sophomore in high school. A friend of mine invited me to her youth group, where I heard about Christ in a new way and met teens who were genuine and enthusiastic about their faith. Through great Christian friendships and mentoring relationships with adult leaders, my faith grew immensely, and I was baptized several months later."

Erin's father has influenced her life greatly as well. "He came to know Christ when I was a junior in high school, and I witnessed God change him from the inside out. He is now such a strong man of God, and his unwavering faith is a constant reminder to me of the importance of humility, generosity, and thankfulness, even in difficult times."

Several verses from Philippians have become a treasure to Erin's heart and are found in chapter 4, verses 4-8: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."

Experiencing and seeing the power of youth ministry in her own life has compelled Erin to join in student ministry at Sugar Grove. "I really enjoy helping out with Crossfire at SGC." Her influence is making a difference! One middle school Crossfire student described her this way: "She really cares about what is going on in your life and takes the time to ask about your extracurricular activities and what is important to you. She is so nice and caring and is easy to talk to." Thank you Erin, for your commitment to helping the youth of Sugar Grove. Your gentleness really IS evident to all!

Erin has been attending Sugar Grove for four years. She is married to Brett and they have celebrated two years of marriage together. She is currently employed at Goshen Middle School as an eighth grade English teacher.

When I asked what makes Erin laugh, she says the medicine of laughter in her life comes from her husband, their dog, ("we love her," she says, "but we're convinced she's slightly crazy!") and her middle school students that she teaches.

When she has free time or is taking time for herself, Erin enjoys reading, running, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and watching Detroit Tigers baseball.

Before we finish our walk, here's some quick "popcorn trivia" to get to know Erin even better:

Q: Tomboy or princess?
A: My husband would say princess because it takes me so long to get ready.
Q: Coffee or tea?
A: Coffee, every morning!
Q: Salty or sweet?
A: Sweet
Q: Morning person or night person?
A: Morning
Q: Three words to describe yourself?
A: Hard-working, thoughtful, perfectionist.
Q: Oceanside or mountainside?
A: Oceanside. Life doesn't get much better than a lounge chair on the beach, listening to the waves. Although, I love to go hiking in the mountains, too!
Q: Heels or flats?
A: Depends on the location: school - heels; home or elsewhere - flats.

Thank you Erin, for giving us a glimpse into your life and for the reminder to enjoy this season of thankfulness and gratitude!

Stephanie Staires

Interview by Diana Gipson

Here's an opportunity to get to know Stephanie Staires, the wife of our new Worship Arts Pastor, a little bit better.  Tony and Stephanie are new to Indiana as well as to SGC.  I had the privilege of interviewing Stephanie recently, and here's what she had to say!

Diana Gipson:  Where did you and Tony just move from?  How is Indiana treating you so far?  What were you doing before the move?

Stephanie Staires:   We just moved from Biloxi, Mississippi. So far we are both enjoying Indiana. It has definitely been a good move. Before we moved I was working for an OB/GYN as office staff. I loved my job and the ladies that I worked with. I will look for a job similar to what I was doing in the medical office.

DG:   Where were you born?  Tell me a little about your families.

SS:  Tony and I were both born in Jackson, Mississippi.  My mother and father are still living and both live in Mississippi. My sister, Amy, also lives in Mississippi with our favorite niece, Kamryn. My brother, Austin lives in  Seattle, Washington (due to the Army),with our favorite nephew Caleb. 

Tony's father and mother are still living as well. His father lives in Mississippi, while his mother lives in Phoenix, Arizona. He also has a brother in Phoenix that has 3 beautiful children. 

DG:  Where did you and Tony meet?  How long have you been married? 

SS:  We first met the night I graduated high school, May 30, 2000. We lived across the street from each other. We both happened to be outside on our balconies at the same time and just started talking. After sitting outside talking for a while, it turns out that we grew up around each other our entire life and never knew each other. We lived in the same neighborhoods, went to the same schools, rode the same bus, had some of the same friends but never met until after high school. We dated for 5 years before we got married. This June we will be married for 7 years.

DG:   Can you share a brief testimony?  How has Christ changed your life?

SS:  I don't have a long drawn out story. Growing up we did not attend church on a regular basis.  We were CEO (Christmas and Easter Only) attenders. I remember the summer before my senior year in high school (May 1999), my mother decided to start going to church on a weekly basis. We started attending Crossgates Baptist Church. After just a few weeks of attending church I became a Christ follower and was baptized June1999. 

Jesus has definitely allowed me to make better life choices than my parents did. He has taught me to trust and rely on Him even though sometimes we tend to forget that and have to be reminded. One way he has taught me this was with our move to Indiana.  We knew that moving to Indiana was definitely where God wants us. Everything seemed to just fall into place at just the right times. I remember telling my Mom that I knew it was the right move because I felt so at peace with all the details, and I've never seen anything fall in to place so perfectly.

DG:  This month's WoW Connect! topic is Freedom. How do you feel Christ has liberated you? 

SS:  I have always been a very shy, introverted person. It's hard for me to meet new people or just talk to new people. When we started the interview process for Sugar Grove I began praying that God would help me through my shyness. I wanted to be able to step outside of my box and meet new people and get involved in some things that SGC has to offer. I wanted to enjoy our move to Indiana! God has definitely helped me and continues to help me work through this issue. I have met so many great people, made some awesome friends, and even though its only been a short time, I have enjoyed being involved in such an awesome church and church family. Tony and I are very excited to be a part of SGC!

DG:  Have you been able to get involved with any activities at  SGC yet? 

SS:  So far I have enjoyed going to the Friday morning women's Bible study, I have started to serve in the cafe, and I absolutely LOVE going to Zumba class on Tuesday nights.  

DG:   What are a few of your favorite things to do?

SS: I love to shop, as do most women. I love food...Tony and I both enjoy cooking, and traveling. We don't spend much time traveling but when we do we definitely make the best of it. 

DG:   Do you have a musical side or is that left to Tony?

SS:  I wish! I have no musical talent whatsoever. In the words of Tony "the only thing I can play is the radio." 

Welcome to SGC, Stephanie!  You are a delightful lady! :)

Catherine Ware

Interview by Diana Gipson

Our featured lady this month, Catherine Ware, is sharing from her heart in letter form.  Catherine (Cathie) and her husband, Pastor John, are new to the area and to Sugar Grove Church.  What a blessing they have been already!

Greetings to the Women of Worth of Sugar Grove Church!

It is wonderful to be with you and to get to know you.  Thank you for all of your love and support these first couple of months of our life in Indiana!  As I look forward to continuing to learn about you, here are a few facts about our family and me.

John and I have two lovely adult daughters and two great sons-in-love.  We have four grandsons and a little granddaughter on the way.  Our children live in California and Oklahoma.  Our daughters and their husbands are dynamic Christians, and all of them are serving in ministries.  We are very fortunate to have a strong, Christ-centered family.  Two of our grandsons have received Christ!  This is quite an amazing thing, since we were the first couple on either side of the family to establish a Christ-centered marriage.  It was very challenging for us when we began our life together, since we knew nothing about how to do this!  It has been quite a process.  God has blessed us with more believers on both sides of our family.

Because of the influence of several Christian friends, God began to do a work in my life as a young adult.  One of my friends began to pray for me and invited me to several Christian concerts and events.  She included me in a Bible study and also encouraged me to go to a summer retreat in New Mexico.  I had no idea that I needed Jesus in my life.  I only knew that "something" was missing.

During this camp, the Lord connected me with a young woman who had grown up in Africa.  She explained the love of Christ so simply, and I learned it was possible to have a relationship with Jesus.  I can still remember the incredible peace I felt after I prayed my first personal prayer to God.

Learning that Jesus was pursuing me and asking me to fall in love with Him was and always will be one of the sweetest moments of my life.  He was so gracious to accept me, and to this day I can still recall the way it felt not to have Him with me.  My first prayer as a new Christian was to have the opportunity to share Christ with my family and see God raise up a new generation of godly people.  Little did I know that He was going  to bring a special person into my life to start this new generation!  This was quite a surprise to me!

There are many interesting details too numerous to write, but I was introduced to John within 24 hours of my decision to begin a relationship with Jesus.  New Mexico was the perfect place to fall in love with Jesus and meet John because I love the beauty of the mountains and being outdoors.  We enjoyed riding horses and hiking and doing lots of talking!  John was the first to realize he was in love.  It took me another month!  He asked me to marry him and we were engaged and married 15 months later.

Within three years, Jesus became my Lord, John became my husband, and I became a mother.  This was also surprising for me since I had planned to marry and have children at a much later stage in life.  John was in grad school and I was finishing undergrad when I became pregnant with our first baby girl.  Following grad school for John and my graduation from college we moved to Florida with our first baby girl and began our first ministry.  I knew nothing about ministry as a new Christian.  My husband discipled me and taught me the basics of the Christian life.  We learned how to disciple our little girls and began the greatest adventure of our lives.  There are many challenging things that happened and we experienced severe stresses and some serious problems.  God has gloriously seen us through painful conflicts, miraculous healings, incredible opportunities and hurtful circumstances that only He could have redeemed.  I am looking forward to sharing some of those stories with you at a future time.  Our God is truly able to do more than we can think or imagine (a truth from Ephesians 3:20!).

I love reading scripture and studying.  The Old Testament book of Proverbs is very special and He speaks to me regularly there.  One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 3:3,4, "Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart so you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man."  Proverbs is so inspiring and encouraging.  God has given me a verse for my life and it happens to be Philippians 4:6-7.  He has also given me verses which have become themes for my husband, children and grandchildren.  My favorite devotional guide is My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers.

Some of my favorite things to do are hiking, biking, power walking, and sailing.  I absolutely love being outdoors, walking on the beach, and swimming in the ocean.

From the time I was a little girl I have been fascinated with people of other cultures and their languages.  Working with people from different countries and spending time with my family and friends are what I cherish!  I am a people person and love relationships!

My hobbies are sailing, reading, and cooking.  I also enjoy art history and visiting museums and presidential libraries.  John and I enjoy the theater and all types of concerts together.

God has given me a passion to see His glory through a new generation of godly people.  He started with my own family, friends in churches and communities, university students, and people in other countries.  He has given me the privilege of sharing His truth in many places.  I want to make Him famous wherever He asks me to go.  He deserves to be exalted and I owe it to Him to do so!  Can you tell I have a passion and calling for missions? :)

My favorite mission trip so far was to Africa.  It was a sad time to travel because John had just lost his mom.  He preached her funeral, and a week later we left for Africa.  While waiting for our flight, my cell phone rang, and my brother-in-law called to tell me that after John's mom died, he and my sister-in-law decided to attend church, where he heard about Jesus from a friend.  He wanted to call before we left for Africa to tell us he had decided to give his life to Jesus!  This was the beginning of another great adventure, and he has become a mighty man of God.

When we arrived in Africa, we were so excited to share this news with our mission team.  While there, I met a wonderful African named Joseph.  He was the first person to greet me at our guest house there.  In the course of our conversation, he told me his wife was expecting and due to have their baby any day.

Two days later he excitedly shared the news about the birth of their precious baby girl.  He beamed with joy as he described his little treasure.  Then he smiled and said, "You know we have a custom that the first traveler we meet after a baby is born has the privilege of choosing the name.  You are the first traveler I have met, so will you please choose our baby girl's name?"

Without hesitation and with tears in my eyes, I said, "Her name will be Esther, just like Queen Esther in the Bible, and also my husband's mother who recently went to heaven to live forever with Jesus.  Your baby has the name of two very wonderful women!"

Joseph and I stood still and thought about the blessing of new life and the way God allowed our paths to cross.  When I shared this experience with John, he was so delighted in the midst of his grieving and God encouraged both of us to continue His work with new strength and enthusiasm.  He always has a way of giving us something beautiful in the midst of great difficulty.  "To comfort all who mourn, to grant all those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting, so they will be called the oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified." (Isaiah 61:3)

Sonya Lundy

Interview by Diana Gipson

Maybe you've seen Sonya Lundy under "The Red Tent" in the Event Center at SGC.  She and her husband, Ron, enjoy welcoming people there and offering encouragement and smiling faces to newcomers.

Sonya and Ron were themselves newcomers to SGC less than a year ago.  After moving to the area from Atlanta, Georgia, they visited different churches, but did not feel the assurance they were seeking from God until they visited SGC in June of last year.  "Everything clicked into place for us on our very first visit to Sugar Grove," she remembers.  "We both knew that we had found our church home.  We have been blessed so much since joining the Sugar Grove body of believers."

What brought the couple from Georgia to Indiana?  "It's a God thing," Sonya states.  Working in the big city of Atlanta for eleven years took its toll on them.  "We felt like gerbils on a spinning wheel," she says, referring to working long hours, traffic, and the fast pace of a bigger city.  Ron is from Bristol, but had not lived in this area since joining the Naval submarine service after his high school graduation.  Right when Ron and Sonya felt that God wanted them to move on from Georgia, Ron's mother's health began to decline.  So, in May 2011, Ron was able to transfer his Financial Services business here, God provided renters for their home in Georgia, and they found a place to live here . . . all in less than a month!

Sonya remembers spending many years of her childhood and youth traveling around the southeastern United States.  Her dad was a member of several southern gospel groups over the years, and every weekend, the musicians and their families would pile on the group's bus and hit the road.  She was eight years old when, at a little country church in North Carolina, Sonya trusted Christ as her personal Savior.  "As an eight-year-old, I did not fully understand everything that was happening in my heart, but I knew that the Holy Spirit had found a new home inside my heart."

Loving to learn new things, Sonya finds that the more she learns, the more her appetite for learning increases.  "Learning new things keeps me aware of what is going on outside of my personal space.  It opens my eyes to new sights, sounds, smells, textures, and emotions, and hopefully it makes me a better person."  An avid reader, Sonya sometimes reads 3 or 4 books at a time.  She loves how reading teaches her details about other places, or new ways of looking at a circumstance that she hadn't considered before.  The Bible is her favorite source  encouragement, correction, hope and the assurance of God's eternal love and devotion.

She also loves to learn by traveling.  Flying was once her favorite mode of transportation, but now she gravitates toward driving when possible.  She and Ron enjoy seeking out the "Main Street Diners" on their traveling routes.  "We have met some of the nicest and most interesting people in the non-chain restaurants," she says.

Another favorite way of learning for Sonya is by listening to beloved senior citizens.  She has had many family members live into their nineties and has been blessed to listen to their childhood stories, the joyful and traumatic times in their lives, the ways they lived their daily lives, and their personal view on life.

When asked what God has been teaching her lately, Sonya responds, "God is constantly showing me that I need to depend on Him and trust Him completely."  She is well aware of the many times God has proven Himself faithful to her.  She finds it freeing to know that the Creator of the universe knows her past, knows what she is going through at any given moment, and knows what is around the next corner for her.  "I do not need to take on the responsibility of worrying about what tomorrow brings; He is already there and preparing the path for me," she shares.

About her husband, Ron, Sonya declares, "He is my husband and best friend."  Ron retired from the submarine service after almost twenty-one years, in 1999.  He has worked in the Financial Services field since retiring  from the military.  In 1992, while he was still in the military, he was stationed at Kings Bay Naval Submarine base in Saint Marys, Georgia.  "I was a single mom and worked for a government subcontractor," she recalls.  "Our two best friends at that time decided we were a perfect match and planned for us to meet over a blind date.  We stayed up all night talking, and, as they say, the rest is history."  In August of this year, the couple will celebrate twenty years together.

"When Ron and I married, we became a blended (sometimes, not so blended) family.  He had two children, a girl and a boy, and I had a girl," Sonya explains.  Now, the oldest daughter is 27 and lives in Goshen, the son is 26 and lives lives with his wife in North Carolina, and the youngest daughter is 25 and lives with her husband in Atlanta, Georgia.

Ron and Sonya have enjoyed being a part of a Life Group, where they can get to know a few people even better.  "We study the Scriptures together, eat together, fellowship together, and pray together."  Sonya is in one of the weekly ladies Bible study groups and also sings in the choir and does other volunteer activities at church.

Some of her loves include playing games, solving crossword puzzles, and, in the summer, fishing, tubing and just enjoying God's creation.  "I have recently started taking knitting lessons.  Please pray for my patient teacher." :)

One of Sonya's favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"  "What a loving Savior we have," she reminds us.

Shirley Savage

Interview by Diana Gipson

Shirley Savage exudes warmth and knows that God is the source.  She and her husband, Bob, have been attending Sugar Grove Church for the last three or four years, after leaving twenty-five years ago to help in building a small mission church.  Then Bob was doing interim pastoral work for churches without pastors.  Now, back at SGC, they feel they have planted their roots and that SGC is where they are meant to be right now.

Shirley came to know the Lord as her Savior at the age of twelve, during a revival meeting at her country Baptist church in Michigan.  She was baptized two years later, and then dedicated her life to Christ at a church youth camp.  From that time on, she has tried to  follow His leading in everything.  "I have been given many challenges over the years, especially as a pastor's wife and later in the counseling ministry with Bob," she says.  Early in their marriage, they spent a lot of time at downtown missions in Chicago, ministering to the many needy, lost people.

Bob and Shirley were high school sweethearts.  He was not a Christian at the time, but Shirley saw in him many of the qualities she liked and needed.  But, "It was NOT love at first glance," she recalls. "After the first date, he told me he was going to marry me, and I just had to laugh.  I had made a promise to God that I would not marry a non-believer."  After a few dates, she told him she wouldn't go out with him on a Sunday unless he went to church with her.  "Well, I guess he thought it was worth the 'risk,' because he agreed.  And he would tell you that he felt the pastor was speaking directly to him through the message.  Of course, it was the Holy Spirit!"  About a week later, Bob gave his life to Christ.  Bob and Shirley became engaged shortly after that, and then Bob joined the army.  He was gone overseas for about a year before they were married on August 5, 1955.

"We were way too young to get married, but with God's help, we were able to get through those early years, and now we are best friends and lovers--for over 56 years!"  They were blessed, through adoption , with two children.  "It was one of the best decisions we ever made," she says. Their married daughter lives in Elkhart with her husband and seven children, and their son lives in Ft. Wayne with his wife and two boys.  They are both involved with their respective Bible-believing churches.

Shirley has been able to work alongside Bob in his pastoral ministry and then in his counseling ministry.  Bob opened Christian Counseling Services after several pastors approached him with their burdens of many people needing counseling help.  He had always had a longing in his heart to help people with their problems and had  majored in Counseling in college and graduate school.  His practice began as a service to local pastors, but eventually broadened to include the entire Michiana area.  When their children were in school, Shirley was able to help him as a "secretary/all-around office gal" for several years.  This closeness in the office presented challenges at times, but God used this closeness to daily strengthen them in Him and to appreciate each other more.  What started as mainly marriage and family counseling has branched out into other areas, including child abuse, alcoholic problems, abusive relationships, and much more.  "God has been so good and gave him such an ability to relate to others in need.  It has been a blessed experience for both of us."

Bob retired a little more than a year ago and has had some serious health issues since.  Though it has been difficult to accept, Shirley says they have learned a great deal, including more about trusting God for each day's needs.  "We know God is in charge, and we have had to let go of the control we try to have, and let him take control.  We trust Him for the future.  It is in His hands."  They take comfort in God's promise to never leave us or forsake us.

Shirley, who is used to being busy with church activities over the years--teaching Sunday school, playing the piano, singing, missions projects, and many others--is now limited in her ability to be involved.  One thing they find to be a tremendous encouragement in their lives is their involvement in a small group.  Shirley encourages everyone to consider joining a small group and is convinced God put us in their particular group at just the right time.  She also tries to spend some time every day reading and learning something new from the Bible.  "Without a daily time spent with God, I just could not make it through the day," she states.

Definitely one to count her blessings, Shirley feels God's warmth in so many ways, especially in the comfort of His Word.  She is so thankful for the many friends He has sent to her, whom He has used to comfort her during tough times.  "I cannot begin to fathom His love for me, His ever-presence in every need."

Lots of things bring warmth to Shirley's life.  Spending time with grandchildren is a highlight, especially the little ones who still like to sit on Grandma's lap.  "They bring great enjoyment to me and are so funny at times," she shares.  She also likes to curl up with a cup of tea and talk with Bob about their day--sometimes over TV commercials. :)

A few more of Shirley's favorite things include walking, reading, playing the piano, singing, crossword puzzles, selling on E-bay, exercising and entertaining in their home.  She loves to be active and on-the-go.  "It is wonderful to be alive and to enjoy friends and family, and, above all, serve the Lord in all we do!"