As a Teen
When I was fourteen years old, I wondered if someday I would be a pastor's wife.

Playing catch one spring day with an older sister, I shared my thoughts with her. "Someday I think I am going to be a pastor's wife."

"I feel sorry for you," my concerned sister shot back.

"I don't think it would be that bad," I said, "It might even be special."

I didn't share these thoughts with anyone else. I had just entered my teenage years, and was looking forward to dating boys. I didn't know any young man who wanted to be a pastor, and I didn't want to limit those much anticipated fun years.

Setting Goals for My Life
In Grade 11, I stayed behind after a morning church service to see what our new pastor’s wife did as people filed by her and her pastor-husband. The pastor’s wife was vibrant. Animated. She knew exactly what to say to each person. Right there, I gave up the idea of being a pastor's wife. It would be impossible even to consider it. Besides, I loved playing baseball too much. Did pastor’s wives play baseball? I wasn’t sure, but I didn’t think so.

I thought up other goals to keep me on track, and I made three important decisions. Because I sensed such peace and joy at church, I decided attending church would always be a part of my life. To accomplish this, I would marry only a Christian. In addition, I hoped to live in a large house someday, raise a happy family—and instead of being a pastor’s wife, to become a capable hostess of dinner parties.

God Reached Down to Me
After high school graduation, I worked for two years, then planned to go to Bible College.

Eight months before classes were to begin, I became a Christian! I had thought I was one. As an adolescent, I prayed with my teacher to receive Jesus as my Savior, but my knowledge of God was only intellectual. My understanding of how much God loved me hadn't reached my heart yet. I didn't realize how much I needed Jesus.

I had attended church with my family for my entire life, gone to Youth group, sung in the choir, and taught Sunday School, but still I wasn’t saved. Saved from what? Saved from eternal death...by having my sins forgiven.

At age 19, Jesus made me aware how much I needed Him. I needed Him so much He died for me. I was sorry for my sins. Immediately, Jesus forgave me and gave me new Life from above—new life by the power of His Spirit. I was born again.

Now as I packed my bags to attend Bible College, I wondered, “Will God fulfill my childhood thoughts and lead me to become a pastor’s wife?” I  was open to the idea. God’s Spirit now lived in me, and I loved the Lord. He would enable me.

After dating a few years, I decided to only marry someone who loved God more than he loved me--so that God would be the Source of his love. I wanted our love and marriage to last. This man had to want to talk to me about his relationship with God--and about his inner life. He had to be someone who wanted to communicate! And I had to be able to trust him. Four years later I, again, started to date my teenage sweetheart. I found all three qualities in Doug. In 1969 we were married. Yes, Doug wanted to be a pastor.

Post-Secondary Education
I have five years of post-secondary education, although I didn’t remain in one discipline to obtain a degree. The call on my life is to be a Christian—to honor the Lord with my life...and to be a wife, mother, and a pastor’s wife. During my year in the College of Education, my supervising teachers commented, “It’s in you to teach.” (My teaching interest began as a child when I taught my younger sister at a table in the tree playhouse).

I decided to use my gifts in the church and returned to Bible College. Over the years, I developed courses for adults, teens, and led women’s groups. Doug and I moved to Quebec and enrolled in a year of language study, and ministered there for eight years. We have lived across Canada from Quebec to British Columbia.

My passion is to equip others, and especially to encourage women in their walk with the Lord.

Family and Update
We enjoyed raising our children--and found their children's teenage years some of the best.

We have three married children and eight grandchildren. The cake cutting photo was taken at the farewell in our last church.

Doug is now a chaplain. I am developing resources using Scripture-based prayers, and doing other writing. Over the years I saved journals, taught courses, gave talks, took pictures and stored other mementos. Now I am sorting them out and gathering them together.