I joined the church here at Pleasant Hill at 12.  And I think I gave as much to the Lord as I understood at the time.  I was active in the MYF and church was an important part of my life.  My senior year in high school I thought I did not need church, so I quit.  But it did not take me long to realize that was a mistake.  Danny and I had started dating, about the same time I had quit church.  But a year later, I realized I needed church and the Lord, because we were talking about marriage and I knew I needed God.  We started going to church together and later married.  But we did not get serious about going to church at that time.  When I found out we were going to have a baby I got serious and I knew I wanted our children to be raised in church.  So I started going more.  But things did not change until I attended a youth lead revival.  I knew then, I had not really made a full commitment to the Lord.  I had still been trying to take care of everything myself and was making a mess of everything.  I realized I did not have to do that, and that God would take care of me and my family if I would just give it to Him.  So I made a new commitment to God that weekend and I really believe that was when I was saved, March 29, 1970.  But I struggled a lot with a new baby, and trying to be perfect for God and work in the church.  I wanted to do everything perfect which turned out to be an impossible task, with a new baby and a job to.  But I tried so hard.  So at some point I lost my joy.  I struggled for a while trying to be perfect in everything and really did not know what was happening.  Danny was so happy and I was not.  So I did not understand how to fix this because I was a fixer.  I finally realized I had not given everything to God.  I was still trying to take care of everything myself.  I also began to realize the Christian walk was a process.  When I made the real final commitment to turn my life over to Christ I wanted everything now.  But I soon realized that was not going to happen that my Christian walk was going to be a process and that took time.  So I struggled a lot along the way with many different things but God was always there for me and helped me.  I have been blessed in so many ways.  First I thank God for leading me to the right man I was to marry and spend the rest of my life with.  Feb. 12

was 50 years!  For his mom who took me in as her own and was not only a mother but a best friend.  For 2 wonderful children and their spouses and 4 beautiful grandchildren whom I am so proud of and for such a loving church family that has been there for me, here at Pleasant Hill.  My favorite scripture is Ph. 4:13 “I can do all things in Christ Jesus who strengthens me”.