“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7

I grew up in Marshfield, WI in the 50’s and 60’s. My parents owned a small cafe and worked tirelessly and did not have much.  I was one of six children and I had a twin sister.  We were strict Catholics, and attended 12 years of Catholic education and never missed a Sunday Mass or Holy days.  I married in 1974 and we were blessed with four children: three boys and one girl, the oldest being a set of twin boys.  We raised our children in both Hudson and Menomonie. Our children attended catholic schools through the sixth grade.  And while my faith was strong over the years, we were often busy raising four children.

One evening when I was 41 years old, I was up late painting the crafts I loved when the right side of my body went limp: I had had a slight stroke.  We found out I had a hole in my heart that a clot had passed through.  Luckily it didn’t last and after two long years, being patient as I remained on a waiting list at the University of Wisconsin Madison Hospitals, I had a less invasive procedure to close that wound up being two holes in my heart.

The years went by and when our youngest son was a senior in high school, I received a call from my doctor and was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.  All I could think of was getting Josh through graduation and the open house.  I remained patient as I went through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, and am proud to say, that with the love of God, family and friends, that I have remained cancer free.

My marriage didn’t last: in fact we were married and divorced twice, one of those times being not long after I became a member of Bethel Lutheran Church, which I had discovered after bringing my grandchildren to school here.  Attending Bethel and joining the community gave me strength to make it through that tough time. The Church and its family helped renew my spirit and has become a new and wonderful light in my life.  I still get goosebumps and have to fight the tears during the amazing services and all three wonderful Pastors.

Prayer: Dear God, I can’t thank you enough for all four of my wonderful children and their spouses.  And for my 11 beautiful, healthy grandchildren that you have given me.  You helped me be strong in times and not giving up, I have reaped many rewards, the best of which can be seen in the faces of my beautiful family.