What is the most important thing
about your walk with Christ?
I have been extremely blessed during my
life because of my walk with the Lord. I came to a personal
relationship with Jesus at about the age of twelve. I had constantly
gone to Church with my Dad and family from early childhood, but at
that age I came to a place where the Gospel became personal with me.
Because I chose to honor the Lord with my life as best I could, and
because I truly loved and honored my parents, I’ve received untold
blessings and happiness. I’ve been freed from self-created
entrapments due to bad decisions. Of course, life has not been
perfect, but when we truly love and honor God, and try to obey the
rules of His Word, we will be able to rejoice in Him and rely on His
strength to carry us through the bad times. The blessings of knowing,
loving and serving God has benefits beyond measure. I’m now in my
seventies, so you can be assured I speak from experience.
What convinced you of the truth in
Jesus?
The Holy Spirit. His power convinced me
of my need of a personal relationship with the Lord, even though I
was truly a "good girl" prior to this conversion.
When, why, and how do you pray?
When my mother was in the hospital,
dying from cancer, and I was outside the door as they put yet another
gastric tube in her other nostril, I was constantly praying for God
to give her mercy. When I went back into the hospital room, I told
her I had been outside praying for her, and she replied, "I
guess that is what it means when the Bible refers to praying without
ceasing. I had wondered what that means.” And yes, it is always
being ready to pray at a moment’s notice – wherever we are,
whatever the present need, whether in a near-miss car or plane
accident, whether we pass a bad accident on the side of the road and
don't know what their needs may be, or facing the illness or death of
a loved one, or other devastating ordeals, we can always pray
instantly. God is there, knowing and caring about the situation and
the people involved. He’s always ready to help. So, I pray about
all these things and many more, and I pray as the need arises and at
other times – just talking to the Lord about the many needs of many
people. And at times, just thanking Him and praising Him for His love
and His many blessings to us. Prayer is one of God's greatest gifts
to us.
What denomination, if any, do you
belong to, and why that one?
I grew up in a Southern Baptist Church
in Florida, and then married a man from California who came to know
the Lord personally at our Florida Church while he was in the Army.
After being discharged from the Army, he felt called to the ministry
and began his studies at Bob Jones University. He went on to receive
his doctorate in1955 and that same year he became a pastor of
Community Church in California. From there he became a pastor of
Baptist Churches - both Independent and Conservative.
I know that no Denomination is perfect,
but we agree with the teachings of the Baptist faith.
What do you think it will be like to
exist in heaven, and who are you looking forward to seeing?
I only know there will be no pain, no
sorrow, no sickness, no sin, no tears, no death, as told in
Revelations. That's a wonderful heritage for all true Believers. As
for the streets of gold and other rewards, these are not really
important to me. The unfathomable joy and peace, as well as the
removal of painful things in this life, are all that really matter.
That we will see our Lord God and understand all the many things we
don't and can't know in this life are all that really count. To be
reunited with our loved ones who have gone on before is wonderful.
What is your favorite biblical verse,
and why?
I have many, but there is one that I
have shared with many facing their own death or the death of a loved
one: "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you, not as
the world gives, give I unto you, Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid."
After you’ve left this world to be
with the Lord, what do you want people to say about you? What should
be the first sentence of YOUR biography?
"....She has finished her course,
she has kept the Faith, now there is laid up for her a crown of
righteousness from her Lord, the Righteous Judge, and for all who
love His appearing."
She was a loving Servant, Daughter,
Sister, Wife, Mother and Friend. She blessed many lives with her love
and kindness and was blessed by the many loved ones and friends who
were part of her life.