What keeps me grounded was the great church I had growing up. It really set the foundation for me to continue growing and never wondering. We had a great choir and an awesome Pathfinder Club, where we learned about Christ. Now we all are separated because of life. But many of us continue growing and remaining in Christ because we had a great foundation.
Oscar E. Chavez, Wilmington, Delaware
I’ve been following Kent Hansen’s blog, A Word of Grace, for several years. His essays are spiritual and thoroughly based on the Bible. They are so uplifting I often find myself reflecting on their messages throughout the week.
Ruth Ellis, Atlanta, Georgia
Allen and Rose Nell Brandt: for a 140-mile ride in their RV when my wife had to be transported to a pain clinic, where they accidentally discovered a clue that led to treatment of my wife’s chronic, excruciating pain.
Sakae and Hatsumi Kubo: never walked away without vegetables or fruit from their garden and the blessing of their lives.
Ernie and Beth Bursey and Larry and Arlene Downing: kindred, loving spirits. Arlene was a resident in the ward when my 5-year-old son had heart surgery.
PUC profs Paul Stauffer—just had his 100th birthday—and Alice Babcock Stauffer: Paul was my roommate for a three-month Western arts tour of Europe and the Middle East, and Alice required me to read the book of Job.
My grandkids: don’t want them to start praying for me for just yet.
My Sabbath School class: for putting up with me.
Andy Hanson, Chico, California
Years ago a dear friend gave me a copy of the little pamphlet My Heart, Christ’s Home, by Robert Boyd Munger. It’s based on Ephesians 3:16, 17: “I pray that out of his glorious riches [God] may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”
The idea that Jesus wants to live in my life and share my everyday experiences revolutionized my life. It still amazes me. I love His invitation: “If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” (Rev. 3:20).
Robin Metals, Chicago, Illinois
Being connected to Christ is a choice. It’s like being a young child in a busy parking lot: choosing to hold Dad’s hand makes life less scary. I choose to spend time reading His Word in the morning so that I have something to think and pray about during the day. I read His Word in the evening so that I have something to sleep on. Is it easy? No, it’s a choice, a choice that makes life worth living.
Lloyd Peterson, Columbus, Nebraska
