My intention for this book to be published is not only to give account of the many wonderful and trying areas in my life, but I feel that it will help, encourage, comfort, and bring a smile to those who read it. The Lord has been my strength for over 30 years and I want the world to know. I've been blessed and have been given the ability to share and that's what I want to do. He has been so good to me and I feel that if I can make some contribution toward helping even one person, it will be worth it.
This book will be an encouragement, I'm sure, to any one who reads it, but I believe that pastor's wives, mothers, young and old, and women in general will be blessed by it.
I am a Butler, Pennsylvania high-school graduate and was married at the age of 18 after my husband, Tom, returned from Viet Nam, serving with the Marine Corps. I worked as a secretary out of high school and we were married in l967. In 1968, I had my first child and continued on that journey for many years. I had the privilege to birth and raise seven children.
Being a pastor's wife has given me the opportunity to serve in many areas. I'm not only there to be a help to my husband in the ministry, but I serve as a confidant and counselor for anyone who needs help. I feel that I have the spiritual gift of encouraging and helping. As a pastor's wife, I have worn many hats through those 30+ years. I have played the piano, I sing solos and am in the choir. I have directed Christmas programs for most of that time. I have been the director of Vacation Bible Schools. I have been a teacher to primary-aged children for 30 years. I plan the dinners and monthly fellowships at the church. I assist my husband with the Teen Cafe once a month. And, even down to preparing the coffee for church and helping print up the bulletins, I'm there. Every year, we have a Ladies' Retreat, which includes making all the arrangements with the hotels and caterer. I am the main speaker and the guest soloist. In other words, you name it-----I do it! We presently have been at Fellowship Bible Church for almost 22 years.
At the age of 49, we purchased our first home computer. I felt I needed to brush up on my typing skills in case I ever needed to go back to work. I not only relearned the skills of typing, but also became well-informed about computers. I began my FIRST web site in 1998 and have expanded that to four websites now. I taught myself the HTML coding necessary in creating these sites, and because of that, I have designed sites for other people and companies. This includes much writing so I feel I am more than qualified to write this book. I also have a Ministry to pastor's wives on the internet and prepare a newsletter for them called, "The First Ladies' Encourager".
Being raised in the Ukrainian Orthodox church, I learned much about the ethnic background I was a part of. One of these was the Ukrainian Easter eggs, pysanky. I have created these for over 46 years now. I have taught workshops and done demonstrations in my community for nearly 20 years. I also sell my eggs over the internet.
My life has been and continues to be full and rich.
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