During Vacation Bible School in June, 1962 I began to understand that I was a
sinner who needed to be saved. One afternoon during that week, I knelt by my
bed and asked Jesus Christ to be my Savior. I can remember so clearly reading
a book called, "The Ski Lodge Mystery" where the plan of salvation was clearly
given. I was convicted of my sin and was born again after praying and asking
Jesus into my heart. Sometime after that I wanted to follow the Lord in believers
baptism, but my parents would not allow it. My pastor advised that I obey them
and wait. I consented and followed his advice.

High school graduation was nearing and I was hoping to attend Central Michigan
University where I would major in English. Eventually I wanted to teach high school
English, but the Lord had other plans. As a side light, I later found out that my
future husband was also contemplating attending Central Michigan University where
he wanted to study math and be a math teacher. Some Child Evangelism
missionaries came to our church to help have backyard clubs. While they were
there they spoke about Bible colleges and the need for more missionaries. The
Lord spoke to me about changing my plans. I applied to and was accepted at
what was then the Grand Rapids School of Bible and Music in Grand Rapids,
Michigan. It has since merged with Grand Rapids Baptist Bible College and is
now Cornerstone University. I attended there for 3 years studying in the missions
department. My plans were to work with Child Evangelism Fellowship as a
missionary after graduation. (As a side note, shortly after starting college, I was
able to follow the Lord's command to be baptized by immersion.)

I worked in that local church most of the time I was in college. I met Dale Sanders
my second year, and we began dating. The rest, as they say, is history. Dale
was in the pastoral program and the Lord led me to be a pastor's wife. I have
never given up my love for children and still minister a great deal to them as I
would have with CEF but in a different capacity.

Dale and I were married in June, 1969 after graduating from college. Our first
pastorate began at my home church just a few months after we were married.
Thru many circumstances the Lord eventually led us to apply to Hiawatha Baptist
Missions, (now Continental Baptist Missions). This is a home mission agency
involved in starting churches in the USA. Our first church with the mission was
in rural Pennsylvania. We spent 5 years there rebuilding a dying church. While
we were there , in February, 1976 our son, Brad, was born. It had been 7 years
since we were married, and we had nearly given up hope of ever having a child
of our own. He is truly our "miracle baby" and we praise and thank God daily
for him.

Our second church with the mission was in Harrisburg, Pa. where we started a
church from scratch. When the church graduated from the mission, they asked
us to remain as their pastor. We were in Harrisburg for a total of 18 years. We
moved to our present ministry here in Hallstead, Pa. in Octobr, 1997. The Lord
continues to lead, to guide and to bless in our lives.

My favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 33:3, "Call unto me, and I will answer thee;
and shew thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not."

The Lord has been so good to us over the years. I praise His Name for first of all
saving me, leading me to Dale and giving to us our wonderful son, Brad, who is
such a blessing.