Maybe you’ve noticed it too? The more I
have the privilege of interviewing and writing about the women of SGC, the more
I am coming to appreciate how very different we are – in interests, pasts,
and giftings! Isn’t is just so neat? I love it – and I love how He draws us all
together through unity in Christ! Please join me as we get to
know Joyce Miller.
Joyce and her husband Tom have been
attending Sugar Grove for approximately eleven years. A year after moving up
from Mississippi, they were searching for a good Bible teaching church, similar
to the church they had attended in Mississippi, when Becky Troyer invited them
to SGC. They were so blessed by Dr. Perdue’s messages, they continued to attend while he was preaching. Becky, her husband
Mike, and family moved to serve the Lord in ministry in Maine, but Joyce and Tom continued on at SGC.
Tom and Joyce have been married for 57
years (!!) and wed at the Silver Street (now Silver Wood) Church with the first
snow of November just starting to fall when they left the church. “We met at
the 4-H Fair when our Holstein heifers were tied side by side. Tom was so kind,
he carried the water pails for me. We didn’t have our first date until four
years later. I was then a senior and Tom had just completed his 1-W service at
White’s Institute – a correctional facility for children. I believe these two
years were the best training, as he was always great in disciplining our
children.”
Tom and Joyce lived in Mississippi for
36 years, raising their four children there. Two of their children are now
pastors - one in Macon, Mississippi and the other in Meridian, Mississippi. They have a son
living in Baltimore, Maryland, working as a salesman and serving as a deacon, as well
as a daughter who lives in Pigeon, Michigan, who enjoys being a parish nurse.
(“Something our church needs to think about also – it’s a great ministry!”)
Their children are all in their fifties or near fifty years of age. “I tell them they are in
the best years of their lives! You’re free from most of the worries of child
raising, and still have a high level of physical energy. While in our fifties, we
were able to do our best years of service. We opened our farm to
thousands, mostly children. They were able to touch and learn about God’s farm
animals. It was my mission to give the children something positive to remember
for the day. When a child goes to bed at night and thinks of a good time, sleep
will be more peaceful.”
Tom and Joyce enjoy ten grandchildren and three great-grandsons. About every two years they enjoy the blessings of being together
when they rent a camp and spend several days together as a family. Having grown
children and now grandchildren, her advice for mothers is to be a mother
who will be remembered as a PRAYING mother. “One Mother’s Day, while teaching a
five year old Sunday School class, I asked the children to tell me something
special that their mother did for them. Of course the usual answers of cooking,
reading to me, and playing with me were given, but then one child said, “My
mother prays.”
Tom and Joyce continue to work for the
Essenhaus. In the summer, Joyce manages the mini golf course, while Tom manages
the carriage rides. Then, during the months of October, November, and December,
they work together making gift baskets. “We are happiest when we can work – and
be – together. Tom has learned to recognize what colors make for attractive
basket presentations. Now, he even notices when my clothes match!” :)
Then, in the winter months of January through April, they continue to enjoy
working together when their small herd of sheep have their lambs.
Joyce grew up in the church and it has
always been very important to her. “I remember praying on my knees as a child
and talking to God as if He was right there in my room. I do not remember a
date when I said, 'Here’s my life, Lord, be my Savior,' but there have been
many times when the Lord has been extra close and it is such a wonderful
blessing to think of these times. When I have been very lonely in spirit, the
Lord has used the song What A Friend We Have In Jesus numerous times. I’ve
heard this song on a walk in a park when stopping at a chapel, as well as
hearing a chorale singing it. These are just two examples.”
A verse that is
particularly meaningful for Joyce has been from Psalm 19:14: “Let the words of
my mouth and meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my
rock and my Redeemer.” When the meditation of her heart and her thoughts are on
the Lord, the peace she feels has given her much joy.
Joyce enjoys being in Bible studies
that include women from different denominations and in her free time she also
enjoys reading and doing Sudoku puzzles. “Yesterday I noticed the first signs
of spring flowers starting to appear from under the snow. Flowers are my
passion. I like to always have at least one arrangement in the house during the
growing season. While living in Mississippi, Tom would often stop along the
road or field while working the ground, and bring me a bunch of wildflowers
before he mowed them off. I believe the field flowers are the best.”
Some things you may not know about Joyce include the fact that
they had the privilege of mentoring many people in their home and on the farm.
They started with Fresh Air boys from inner city Chicago in their first year of
marriage. Then there was the time when ten boys got into trouble on their farm.
(Really? Boys would do that?) *wink* For punishment, the sheriff made each of
them do ten hours of work for Tom and Joyce. Another occupant they housed was a
displaced older man from Poland who lived with them for several years. “He had
suffered so much.” Many of the teens that they mentored only stayed for several
weeks. “Through the years our guests have taught us many things. Each person
came with their own issues, and as I reflect back I often think I should have
said more to give them a desire to walk closer to our Lord.”
In addition,
something that you may not know about Joyce is while in the business of
producing strawberries and blackberries, she had a weekly, fifteen-minute cooking show on TV, with a new recipe for these fruits being presented
each week. “This was interesting and fun, but a lot of work! One time we even
presented a seven course meal in the field.”
The best thing about being a woman: Being treated like a lady.
Favorite season: Spring.
Remembering our risen Lord at Easter
time and all the signs of new life.
time and all the signs of new life.
What makes you laugh: Wholesome
humor.
Three words to describe
yourself: Caring, organized, energetic
Shy or outgoing: Outgoing
Tomboy or princess: Princess
Coffee or Tea: Tea
Oceanside or mountainside: Both!
Oceanside while viewing a sunrise or sunset. Mountainside when looking up to
see the splendor of God’s creation. “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
from whence shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made the
heaven and earth.” Psalm 121: 1-2
Favorite meal: A meal surrounded with
family or friends.
Morning person or night owl: Morning
person
Favorite Bible character: Esther –
because of her courage. And Mary, the sister of Martha, who chose the better
thing by sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening and learning.
What brings peace to your life and/or
helps you relax: Sipping a warm cup of milk while reading a good Christian
short story.
Thank you, Joyce, for sharing your life
with us!
Ladies, I hope you enjoy the new life that will be springing up all
around us in the coming weeks! And may the One who is doing a new thing (Isaiah
43:19) work in all of our hearts to renew our spirits as we encourage each
other as sisters in Christ.
Julie
