Nicole Maust

By Julie Overholt

We are so blessed at SGC to have women of all ages attending our church. It provides such a valuable balance of wisdom, experience, mentoring, and encouragement within the body of Christ when we all share with, and learn from, one another. This month I have the privilege of introducing you to one of the younger women, Nicole Maust. 

Nicole has been attending Sugar Grove since June of 2010. She was introduced to Monica Yoder who encouraged her to check out the young adult ministry at Sugar Grove. In December of the same year, she began co-leading the Crossfire high school senior girls. Nicole continues to serve in Crossfire and is working with the freshman ladies, planning to follow them up through graduation.  She also enjoys volunteering in the café and participating in the young women’s cooking/Bible study.

Nicole and her husband Cory celebrated their second wedding anniversary this past December.  Their story of how they met and started dating is one that Nicole loves to share. Her family has been vacationing at a Christian family camp called Little Eden, located in Onekama, Michigan, for 14 years. In the summer of 2010, her mom (of all people, she says) noticed a young man on staff and pointed him out to Nicole. At the time, she wasn’t interested in a relationship, so the suggestion was casually shrugged off. 

The next year rolled around and Nicole’s mother “not so subtly” pointed him out for the second year in a row. “I was much more interested this time around.  My mom made some connections with his home town and where my grandpa grew up, and began small talk. I tuned in and got his name for later to check if he was single on Facebook. Much to my surprise, he was!” Without much time to interact with staff, she invited Cory to play sand volleyball with her brother and their friends. They hit it off and spent several hours that evening on the boat dock getting to know each other. They had to say goodbyes the following day, but he asked for her number and promised to stay in touch. He did just that and they began dating over the next few months. 

The following year, Cory came with their family as a camper instead of staff. He took Nicole out on the third night of camping to walk along the boardwalk, and proposed. “We got to share the news later on that evening with all of our closest family and friends! We felt truly blessed."

"As for keeping love alive in our marriage, we make time to still date each other. Being spontaneous can be challenging for my personality, but it certainly helps to keep that certain love element alive. We are also intentional about spending enough time doing the things that the other enjoys as well.” 

Nicole and Cory don’t have any children yet, but they do hope to someday! She currently is a full time dental hygienist, working in two different dental offices – one in Topeka (Community Dental Clinic), and the other in Elkhart (Heart City Health Center).

Nicole was born and raised in Gibson City, a small farming town in Central Illinois. “Growing up in the church and being surrounded with a Christ-centered family, I have been blessed to know the Lord ever since I can remember. I took my faith as my own when I was 9 years old and heard the gospel from a minister who shared about his passion working with local prisoners. I was baptized that same year.” Nicole said she stood strong in her faith throughout her middle school and high school years as well as into college where she found a church to attend while away from home. “However, I didn’t surround myself with college friends who had the same convictions as I did and their actions soon began impacting my walk with the Lord. I chose to partake in things during those first few years in college that I regret and later had to ask for forgiveness and healing from the Lord.” After several years had passed, she began refocusing her life on what really mattered. She was blessed to have godly counsel and wisdom spoken into her life that enabled her to recognize that she truly was forgiven. Since then, she has been able to let God use her to speak truth into other young women’s lives, sharing the importance of seeking out intentional relationships with other godly women.

Part of the wonderful advice she has for young women: “God has blessed us with the responsibility of being our husband’s helper for those of us who are married. And for those who are not yet married, take time to thank God for the opportunities He has given you to serve Him without distraction. I know that I had to be patient and wait on God’s timing before I found my husband, but in that time I was able to focus on ways to serve the Lord. I pray that this can be an encouraging word to those who read it.”

A defining moment for Nicole occurred when she shared her testimony for the first time at Crossfire (high school) one evening. “I wrestled with sharing my personal story for a long time, but God worked on my heart and gave me the strength to share. I have since then been able to relate to a small number of students who have shared their struggles with me. I hold onto the truth that the Lord’s grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in weakness.” Words that are spoken in Nicole’s favorite verses out of 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10: But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. “I so often feel like I need to be able to ‘do it on my own,' yet this reminds me over and over that I can’t  - but in my weakness Christ has made me strong.”

In her free time, Nicole enjoys scrapbooking and taking photos, card making, reading, and volleyball. Summer is a favorite season for her as well. “I can’t get enough of the sunshine and long evenings outside!” She says that something you may not know about her is that she looks stunning in Amish attire! Nicole worked at the Blue Gate for about a year prior to getting a job at the dental office. :)

What makes you laugh? Listening to my hubby sing his own lyrics to songs while doing stuff around the house!

Three words to describe yourself: loving, personable, conscientious

Shy or outgoing? Outgoing

Tomboy of princess? A good mix of both!

Coffee or tea? Tea

Oceanside or mountainside? Oceanside

The perfect meal? Monical’s Pizza (local to central Illinois)

Worst food ever? Mincemeat pie. I’ve never eaten it, but I had to warm it up and serve it at the Blue Gate

Morning person or night owl? Morning

I’d love to travel to: Africa and go on a safari

Listen, read, or watch to learn: Watch

Favorite Bible character: Ruth

3 Things that bring peace to your life and/or help you relax: A big bubble bath, sitting in the hammock/porch swing, and spending time with friends playing games.

Thank you Nicole, for sharing your heart and service with the ladies of SGC! May He continue to bless you as you glorify Him with your testimony.

Last week I pulled up to a stop sign on the way to taking my daughters to school. I glanced both ways and when I looked right, there were 6-7 robins underneath a tree right beside the car. That, my dear sisters, testifies to the promise of spring! I did some rejoicing! Whatever season you may find yourself in right now – perhaps it seems like an endless season – may you find new hope that He will fulfill His purposes for you in it, using your testimony for His glory, His strength made perfect in your weakness.

Trish Martin

By Julie Overholt

Hi ladies,

This month I am privileged to introduce you to a lady that has joined our kids' ministry team and exudes a contagious passion to serve the precious preschoolers of Sugar Grove Church.  

Trish and her family have been attending Sugar Grove for about three years. “Sugar Grove felt like a ‘safe place to land’ for me. When Pastor Rick came back from his sabbatical, we heard him speak that Sunday, and my husband said, 'We’re tithing here!' After that, we began to make SGC home.” Since attending, Trish and her family have gotten involved in some work days, and Trish volunteered in the preschool department. She also was able to travel to Nicaragua last year with the Missions Team, and since this past November, she has had the privilege of taking on the position of Preschool Director at SGC.**

Trish and her husband Mike have been married since 2007. They met through Mike’s brother and sister-in-law, who attended church with Trish. About a year after they started dating, Mike and Trish were married at a church picnic. “We both wore jeans! It was a wonderful day, and we honeymooned in Nicaragua.” They have two boys who are ten years apart. Mike adopted their oldest son Matthew (16) when they were married, and their youngest son, Josh (6), loves to worship to Toby Mac.

“Marriage isn’t really my comfort zone. I am very independent and have to work at putting someone else’s needs above my own. I have learned that when I pray about my marriage and my part in keeping it healthy, and give my husband’s part to the Lord, I am happier with the outcome. It is rewarding to see my husband talk to others about the Lord.”

Trish was born in Illinois to Canadian parents, then raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Raised in a strong Christian family, she credits her mother’s family for being very influential in her life, with strong fundamental roots. Her father was an elder in a non-denominational church that met in the school Trish attended. Communion services were held in their family’s basement. Trish accepted Christ as a young girl sitting on her grandpa’s lap in her grandparents' big yellow easy chair. At the time, it was a logical and expected decision for Trish. “I think I knew then that Jesus wanted me. I just didn’t know He was supposed to have an effect on my life.”  

 Trish’s life became very predictable after that. “Really, the only time I felt I had a relationship with God was at summer camp, up in the Rocky Mountains. I felt I could hear God up there, surrounded by all of the beauty – but once I got home, He became distant to me. Eventually, I fell into the world and its ways. In college I lived with my boyfriend for several years and got pregnant. I found myself alone and in despair. I had to give up everything I knew and start over, in the remote land of Elkhart, Indiana.” 

God had Trish exactly where He wanted her when she came to Indiana. She attended Bible Study Fellowship in Goshen, just to have something to do for the time. She wasn’t really motivated, but kept going, taking little Matthew with her. “One day, Jeannie Bigler, the main speaker, was sharing about Jewish weddings. She said in a Jewish wedding the bride is waiting, while the groom walks toward her. I realized I had not said yes to Jesus! He was waiting for me! I could hardly speak. Tears were unstoppable as I tried to explain to Jeannie what words could not express. I had crossed over from death and sin to new life – a changed person!”

One of Trish’s favorite verses is found in Jeremiah 29:12. “After it says, ‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,’ in verse 11, it goes on to say, ‘You will seek me and you will find me when you seek me with all of your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord.’ I feel like I am on a lifetime journey to find God.” For right now, her favorite verse is John 6:9: “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

“I feel like that in serving God, there are two truths I need to always keep in front of me: 1. How little I am, and 2. How extremely perfect and awesome He is. I can provide only a rescued vessel. It is up to Him to fill it and use it for His glory.”

Trish loves serving as an advocate for people. She has a dual citizenship, and graduated from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec with a degree in education. She has most enjoyed those jobs where she can speak up for her students, whether children or women/parents, those trying to start their lives over, or anyone who feels victimized or betrayed. She has taught in childcare, preschools, grade school, summer camps, worked with middle school girls, high school youth, neighborhood community members, GED students, and women in a rehabilitation home. She also loves to edit writing and photos and is passionate about children and moms. When I asked Trish what her advice would be for young women or mothers, she gave us wonderful advice: Fall in love with Jesus!

In her free time, Trish enjoys nature and being outdoors.

Favorite season/holiday: Fall/Thanksgiving

What makes you laugh: Almost anything! Silly stuff mostly. 

Three words to describe yourself: Thoughtful, loyal, high expectations

Shy or outgoing? Both…probably more outgoing

Tomboy or princess? Definitely unprincess! I am outdoorsy, but not really a tomboy.

Coffee or tea? Coffee, except when only tea will do.

Oceanside or mountainside? YES to both!

The perfect meal: Rachel’s bread and hummus.

Worst food ever? Pumpkin pie or Brussels sprouts.

Morning person or night owl? Night owl

I’d love to travel to: France or New Zealand. But my friend is teaching in Morocco now and I’d like to go there, too!

Listen, read, or watch to learn: I learn by doing.

Favorite Bible character: Peter

3 Things that bring peace to your life and/or help you relax: Music, the Electric Brew, walking outside in the woods. (NOT on a treadmill!)

Thank you so much, Trish, for sharing a part of your life with us! And, thank you for being willing to dedicate your time and energy to serve and organize the care of the precious little people of SGC.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” –Matthew 19:14

And He said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” “And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”

– Matthew 18: 3,5

This month, may we all celebrate the love the Father has lavished on us – that we should be called HIS children. And that is what we are. – I John 3:1

Julie

**Note from Trish:  Last night I attended the Revive Indiana meetings at Maple City Chapel. I was impressed to see the whole evening was staffed by the volunteers of First Baptist Church. I love the way these meetings have served to bridge the gap between churches. I was signing up my son for childcare and I mentioned that I directed the preschool program at SGC. The woman I was speaking with was quick to say, “We’ve heard about you volunteers. Sugar Grove has great volunteers!” Well, I know that. And if you are a volunteer at Sugar Grove, you know that. The people I have serving on my teams right now are some of the most faithful, dedicated, and kind people I have met. Many of them serve in multiple areas. But my situation right now is urgent.

I need more people.

Sugar Grove is growing, as you know. We also are growing because families are growing. Babies are being born, and these babies grow into preschoolers faster than most of us like to admit. So, if you are not serving anywhere right now and you would like to start, please consider our preschool department. I am not going to say it is the easiest place to volunteer, as a matter of fact, it may one of the most time-consuming commitments. It will take your brain, your body, and your heart! But, it is so rewarding to see these kids shine! Believe me, you will not be disappointed!

Come, and introduce a child to Jesus.

Laurie Ness

By Julie Overholt

Hi ladies,

The month of December sure has been a surprise for me. I must admit I wasn’t expecting the mild temperatures we experienced! Temperatures will fall again I’m sure though, as January seems to be the chosen month for frigid temps around here. :) While cold weather can be inevitable, it also can be a good reminder for us to check our hearts, to measure the temperature of the love that resides there. Jesus tells us in Matthew 24:12 that the closer we come to Christ’s return, the love of many will grow cold.

Part of guarding our hearts against the cold can include being challenged and encouraged by fellow believers. This month I want to introduce you to the special lady behind the encouraging and challenging words you read every month on this very blog! I know that many of you look forward to her monthly devotional that is published on the SGC women’s blog.   

Laurie and her husband Kevin have been attending Sugar Grove for about 21 years. They hadn’t lived in the Goshen area for very long before literally searching the yellow pages for churches to try. The Sugar Grove name sounded very familiar, and when they visited the church, Laurie knew why. Behind them, she heard, “I know you!” Laurie turned around to see Carlene (Perdue at the time) -who she knew from Moody Bible Institute – and her then fiancé, Paul Eager. Laurie says that even before they talked to Carlene and Paul, they felt so welcomed. Kerry Glassman was the first person to greet them, show them around, and introduced them to people. Either the first or second Sunday that they visited SGC they also attended an adult Sunday school class, and a couple invited them over for Sunday dinner after church. The friendliness and care of the congregation was definitely a big draw for them!

Laurie loves children, so naturally she has been involved with the kids at SGC from the beginning. She has consistently taught in the 2- and 3-year-olds class since then, as well as helping out whenever she can in VBS, the nursery, and Cubbies. ("Oh how that Cubbie Bear made me laugh when I was supposed to be teaching the Bible story!") She started on the Library committee way back with a precious group of ladies who are now with the Lord (like Carolyn Inbody, Gladys Zimmerman, and Bertha Lynn) and eventually found herself the team leader of the Resource Center. Laurie has also written for the printed women’s publication, “Heads Up,” which morphed into the SGC Women’s online blog, for which she currently writes and edits.

Laurie and Kevin have been married for 25 years. They met in the Student Dining Room at Moody Bible Institute. “The first day of my second semester there, this guy with a mustache sat down next to me at  dinner. He was one of the new guys on my "Brother Floor," but I was busy pining away for this guy from the previous semester, who chose to go backpacking through Europe rather than stay at school with me. (We actually had no understanding, but still…) I was polite to Kevin that evening, but that was it. We became friends really quickly though, and I couldn’t deny the connection we had. Unfortunately, I was really afraid of true love for some reason. Kevin, bless his heart, continued to gently pursue me until my love for him was greater than my fear of it.”

Kevin and Laurie have one son, Elijah (12), whom they adopted when he was a toddler. “Elijah is a wonderful blessing from God. God has taught me so much through motherhood. We waited so long for him, and tried to prepare ourselves for parenthood, but nothing really prepares you! It’s an amazing journey!”

When I asked Laurie what keeps love alive in their marriage, Laurie attributed a large part of it to prayer and surrender to the Lord.  She states that Kevin has been so diligent since day one about praying with her at the beginning and end of each day. “We made a pact at the beginning of our marriage that we would never discuss divorce as an option for the two of us. It’s a good thing, too, because I was really immature and selfish when we first married. I gave Kevin plenty of reasons to walk out if he had been a different kind of person.” Laurie also listed that giving up what you want for the sake of the other person is a big deal in marriage. “When the willingness is there, sometimes you don’t get your way and other times you do, but either way, there doesn’t have to be hard feelings. Forgiveness is key, and we’ve always had a rule that we don’t go to sleep angry – without working out our differences as much as possible that night.” Laughter too, plays a large part in their relationship. Kevin and Laurie have been through some really dark times in their life together, but they can always make the other one laugh and choose to look at the bright side of things!

Laurie originally grew up in Oak Lawn, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. At six years of age, her babysitter was over and Laurie didn’t want to go to sleep. She began to stall by asking her babysitter, Ruth, all kinds of questions. “God used even my rebellious motives to draw me to Himself. I was feeling guilty about stealing things from my friends’ desks in our first grade classroom, and though I think I knew the plan of salvation, I hadn’t made that choice yet. I began asking her about heaven and hell, and my heart was SO ready to be free in Jesus! I trusted Him that night. I didn’t understand all of the ramifications of that decision though (probably still don’t), and spent most of my childhood and teen years focusing on what I shouldn’t do because I was a Christian. It wasn’t until young adulthood that I finally got the concept of living a righteous life and serving Him out of gratitude and love for all that God had done for me, rather than trying to 'be good' in order to hold on to my salvation.”

Another defining moment in Laurie’s life was when she understood that joy is not a feeling, but an attitude, and that we can choose to experience joy even when our emotions don’t match up. This understanding proved to be life-changing in Laurie’s life.

Someone that influenced Laurie’s life greatly was her Grandma Hulse. “She lived a simple life and, though she had walked through some deeply sorrowful times before I was born, she showed no evidence of bitterness or anger toward God; or anyone else for that matter! She lovingly served people, without worrying about her own needs or desires – she trusted God to meet those. She almost always had an incredibly positive attitude, too. She’s been gone for a long time now, but her words about how there is something good in every situation, if you look for it, have lived on in my mind and heart, and I try to live by them still.”

Some Bible verses that are meaningful to Laurie relate to the subject of wisdom, particularly James 1:5: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given Him.  “I just love James 1:5 because I am constantly in need of wisdom. How wonderful it is that God gives it to me freely without thinking I’m ridiculous! I also read the Proverbs often for the same reason. The wisdom to be found there is unbeatable! And I love the word pictures – some are really amusing and others so poignant.”

Laurie’s life has been colored with various jobs, the first being babysitting. She can’t remember how old she was when she started, but she babysat her own sisters and lots of other children during her teenage years. Other than that, her first regular job was in the apparel department at Kmart. When she was attending Moody Bible Institute, she worked in a hosiery shop in the Water Tower Place, loving it for the diversity of people she saw and the languages she heard. Additionally, she worked for an elderly woman  - a lady with a lovely combination of tough and sweet - who lived in an apartment on the Gold Coast. She cleaned for her, sorted meds, and did grocery shopping for her as well.  Since being married, Laurie has worked in special education, preschool education, and more babysitting.

These days, Laurie is an independent author of eBooks for teens and women, which is challenging and rewarding for her. It’s a dream-come-true, in an unexpected way! “Still surreal," she says.

In her spare time, Laurie’s hobbies and passions include writing and editing, encouraging people, cooking for people she loves, Bible study, and photography when she has time as well. “I also love to read, though it takes me forever to get through a book.” 

Laurie’s favorite holiday is Christmas. “It’s so nostalgic for me. I love the old movies, the old songs, and the memories of all of my sisters, my parents, and me in the same house carrying out all of our traditions each year. I like to try to remember these traditions, but also create new memories for my own household. I love the lights glowing on the snow and seeing families gather together as I pass their houses. It’s wonderful to celebrate Jesus’ birth, but I must admit I have to purposefully focus on that because the real purpose of Christmas can easily become lost in the distractions of the season.”

Something people may not know about you? More people know it now, I guess, because I’ve been using it as my author name, but my real name is Laurel.

What makes you laugh? My husband and son are hilarious! Their stories about things that have happened to them or things they have done just crack me up! Elijah’s sound effects enhance his stories even more.  Funny stories in general make me laugh, especially when someone trips on something (but doesn’t get hurt, of course!) or has an awkward moment they find amusing. I have dozens of those stories myself, and they make me laugh to recall them. I often find sarcasm really funny too, but in recent years I have made an effort to not be sarcastic myself. I definitely slip up on that sometimes, though!

The best thing about being a woman? Not being a man! I mean, I think it’s so cool that God made men and women differently, has different roles for each, and has gifted each accordingly. In my younger years, I was a bit of a “women’s libber,” but then God helped me understand that the only “liberation” I really needed, I already had. I don’t need to be a man, or try to act like one, to be important. God loves and values men and women equally.

Three words to describe yourself? Indecisive, caring, loyal

Shy or outgoing? An introvert who loves people!

Tomboy or princess? A tomboy who morphed into a princess.

Coffee or tea? Definitely tea.

Oceanside or mountainside? I love both.

The perfect meal? Mexican is my favorite.

Worst food ever: Beets and liver tie for the worst.

Morning person or night owl? I seriously go back and forth on this one!

I’d love to travel to: Prince Edward Island; The places the Ingalls family lived; Israel, Ireland

Listen, read, or watch to learn? All three

Favorite Bible character? The woman who touched Jesus’ robe

3 Things that bring peace to your life and/or help you relax? Writing, talking with a loved one, beautiful scenery.

Thank you Laurie, for allowing us to get to know you better! Thank you as well, for the time and effort you put forth to bless us with your words, as well as your creativity, as you publish the SGC women’s blog every month.

As we all head into a cold month, let’s remember to take extra precautions to guard our hearts against cold love and to encourage one another and build each other up as the opportunities arise. Encouragement warms hearts!