by Ella Reff & Bonnie Hoy

"You shall be my witnesses . . . . to the uttermost parts of the earth." Acts 1:8

My first memory in a church was that of a sandbox for the younger children, and it so happened that the church burned! I was upset that the sandbox table was gone and even more so when one of my ornery brothers said the fire had started in the sandbox. Now, I know that possibly could not happen, but as a child, it took a long time to know better.

My family, six of us including my parents, attended the Liberty Center Methodist church after it was rebuilt. At the age of 13, I was baptized and became a member. It was then that I knew Jesus. I remember Reverend Lawshe charging us, a group of six children, to accept such a wonderful life with Jesus. Perhaps later I strayed the farthest from having God in our lives.

My church life until college was filled with singing in the choir; (that was when I could carry a tune when I sang). As we matured, we sat in the back pews and listened to the word and the Scriptures.

I came to Ball State Teachers College to study the field of home economics in the fall of 1955. Because the Lutheran Church was within walking distance of the dormitory, we attended church there. Occasionally, we were able to get to the College Avenue Methodist Church.

Arthur was now also a part of my life, and we were making decisions about marriage. I decided to go to summer school so I could complete my education in three years. A promise was made to my parents that I would finish school with no children. Remember this was the 1950's and parents' rules meant more then. So with promise made, at Christmas break we married, but for the first six months I was living in the dorm and Art was working in Michigan. These were truly the times that our faith in each other and God carried us through, with our traveling on special weekends, my being stranded in the Greyhound bus station in Detroit at midnight (I surely said my prayers that night), his pericarditis illness, loss of job due to layoff, and trying to keep my grades in above-passing status.

I did graduate in the summer of 1958, the promise kept. We moved to Yorktown and immediately had our memberships transferred to Yorktown Methodist Church. Our early life here was involved with Sunday school class and children up until 1968. This was a time when I turned far from church and damaged my children’s lives by not providing them the best religious educational growth and guidance. I began seeking to return to church, which we did when Pastor Steve Loft was here. After attending several Sundays, I met with Steve in his office, I confessed these things, and that has led to a new knowledge of the Lord Jesus.

I have tried to serve when and where I could or was asked to serve. I attribute my limited knowledge of the Bible to the teaching of Peggy Skinner and Pastor Kate's history sermons and explained scripture.

In 2010, I had an episode with my heart, requiring a Pacemaker. It was a true blessing for both Art and me, because we have come closer together in our faith. I again give the glory to Jesus Christ. I try to be a worthy member of this Methodist church. However, I know I have sinned, and the only way to redemption is through the grace of Jesus Christ our Lord, and only He will make that final decision when my earthly life is done. I stand on my favorite verses, the 23rd Psalm.