Mentors that daily impact my life...

Marge and Ray

Ray and Marge were one of the first people that we met when we went to Cornwall Church. There was an instant bond...not only because we both had ND roots, but because we knew more of their relatives in ND than they did. We were sitting at a table when they invited us to join them. In that one act, I learned the importance of including others. I have watched them embrace many more "newbies" and invite them into their circle of friends. I know that when I ask them to pray...they will pray. I know that they care. Their positive and caring spirit is evident in every aspect of their lives. They are active in our church, serving as greeters and helping in the Salt on the Street ministry (our Bellingham food for the homeless.) I watch and know that age has nothing to do with service. In these two people, I see God at work in and through them and I praise God that we have had the privilege of being their friends.

Alta Ruth

What can I say about this woman? She, too, is such an encouragement to me. Alta Ruth's husband is suffering with dementia and she is his care giver. I watch her and see the love that she has for this man that God has given her. She is patient and kind with him and rarely if at all do I hear her complain about the life she is leading. She continues to praise God for the blessings that He has given to them. Last week in the service, during the song time, Lyle put his arm around his bride during the songs...what a testimony of the love that they have for one another. But that love goes beyond the earthly love that one thinks of...this week during the worship songs, we sang Amazing Grace. (NOTE: Our church doesn't usually sing a lot of hymns.) During the song, Lyle's one hand went to hold Alta Ruth's and his other hand was lifted in praise. His voice rang clear for all of the verses. I know for me, I got a glimpse of the man that she fell in love with, with his strength and his faith. Now, she is the caregiver and I pray that I can show the grace that she has shown in her life.

Helen

Helen, I may get this wrong, is 97 years old. She is still driving her truck to church although more and more her grandchildren will pick her up. Helen weeps over those who do not have a personal relationship with the Lord. Her missions vision is so much greater than mine. Her prayer life is vibrant and full, another one who will pray for me when I ask. Helen knows all about me and my family. She will tell me that she missed me so much and then ask how my trip to Nebraska or North Dakota went. One time when she was at our house for a Christmas brunch, she rejoiced because a newsletter had reported that there was clean water to the orphanage in Haiti. Missions and home, her heart is huge and she has blessed me more than she will ever know.

Ann

Ann is younger than Helen by about a year, I think. I get these two mixed up. But when you are either 96 or 97 I am not sure it matters. Ann sits in the front row of church. For anyone who has not visited our church, our music is LOUD. VERY LOUD...but Ann is sitting right there! She walks 3 miles a day. When she comes to church, she doesn't take the elevator to the 2nd floor, she takes the steps. Her wonderful English accent is delightful. Ann has a joy about her that allows those around her to experience the joy. The joy is not from her circumstances but the abiding joy that comes from Jesus. When I invite these ladies and some other wonderful ladies to our home at Christmas, I do tend to worry about them climbing the steps to our upstairs (they all want to go up and see the Christmas trees in every room of the house). I try to follow them or have one of the other hostesses that help me be close. About the 2nd time that we had the brunch, I looked up and saw Ann almost to the top of the steps. She doesn't seem to give up. She continues to be actively involved in life.

There are others that impact my life, but as I sat in church this morning, I began to think about these Saints of the church and marveled at the depth and the richness that each of them add to my life. I am so thankful that God placed them in my life and love each of them dearly.

It also is a reminder that there may be people in my life who are watching me. What will they see? A woman of faith? A woman of prayer? A woman who tries to follow God? A woman who is one who reaches out to others? Father, help me to be the woman you want me to be. Thank you for the many people you have placed in my path to show me what it means to follow the precepts of Micah 6:8

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.