There may be times when we face the sadness of leaving one part of life to enter a new and different experience. Nevertheless, these times are usually followed by compensations that are satisfying. The challenge of new responsibilities can be a time of refreshment. Faith plays an important role in this and is something that has guided my life for a long time. 

As I reflect back on my life, it is filled with constant change. When I left Florida for Virginia, I longed to go back and have part of my old life back, when my children were young and Sunday was spent at the beach. Well they grew and moved on as they should, and I found myself staying and working for the government. I learned a lot about diversity and my prejudices. I also learned about humility. At church every Sunday I prayed life would change, for me, my children, and those around me. The only thing that didn’t change was my faith in God.  With God’s supervision I learned to drive a stick shift VW bug, with almost no floor boards in the middle of January. What a change that was! I was so fearful of the experience that I sang hymns all the way to work and back again. God saved me and those around me.

My life began to change for the better. I took an EFM course, and part of it each week was to write a reflection of your life. Writing this down certainly changes your thinking. You learn more about yourself than you really want to know. Since then I have tried to correct the faults I have. My life changed again and I found myself living with Paul in New Hampshire and retired—a major change in our life style. 

The next change came by way of my experience at Church of the Redeemer, some good and some not good. After all I had survived cancer. What could be worse, Church of the Redeemer closed its doors and the next week I once again made a change. I came to Saint John’s. I could feel the joy when I walked through the door. I felt it was my reward for persevering through life. You feel happiness here, and I will try to do everything I can to help with all the wonderful changes that are now taking place.