As a former pastor's wife, I would like to share Gods' faithfulness.  I wrote the following article, while I was an associate pastor with, Rev. Pam Runge_Stockman, of "Upper Room Ministries", in the spring of 1998.  My scripture for this is, (Eccl. 3:21)

(Psalm 36:5) 
During my first pastorate, a car hit my oldest daughter at the age of nine.  She was dragged over two blocks, because her jacket had caught under the car.  We drove her to the Mayo Clinic of, Rochester, Minnesota, do to the seriousness of her injuries.  She wasn't expected to survive.  At the time of this article's writing, she was 26 years old and healthy. 

Many people accepted Christ as their personal Savior, were healed, delivered, and encouraged, during this time in our lives.  (I Peter 4:12)   A short time later, my husband was injured severely at a job site.  Shortly before this accident, we had a house fire.

When people came to pray and encourage us, they were blessed in return.  Our entire town rallied around us.  Satan was trying to kill the fire of God in us, but all of these things only caused it to burn brighter. 

After a few years, my husband and I accepted a pastorate down south.  These people enjoyed the move of the Holy Spirit, but didn't practice what they preached.  (Lev. 20:7)   We resigned and started a church in Wisconsin which began from a home Bible Study. 

During this pastorate, my husband was injured in another auto accident trying to save the others in the car.  He was totally bed-ridden almost two years and was carried to church by some of the men. 

God gradually healed him, and he walked into church once again to preach the gospel message.  His health declined once again, and he preached only periodically.

I, as co-pastor, and my oldest daughter, took turns sharing a message in his place.  My husband became legally blind.  We had to find the church a new pastor, and we resigned this pastorate.

My husband and I, moved back to our home in Iowa, which we still owned.  He died only three days after this move. 

I was led to, Upper Room Ministries, 819 N. Penn, P.O. Box 12, Mason City, IA 50401-0012, pastor being, Rev. Pam Runge-Stockman.  She is a well known prophetess, and she heard from the Holy Spirit exactly what I needed at this time.  She moves in the five-fold ministry world wide.

I attended her church ministry, until I moved to, Phoenix, Arizona, where my elderly parents lived,  My son was a drug user and alcoholic.  He confessed while in a rehab center, that he was of homosexual persuasion.

Thanks to the prayers of Rev. Pam and other ministry friends, I became an overcomer during these trials.  (I Peter 5:7) 

To everything there truly is a purpose for each of us.  Joseph, in the Old Testament, didn't know his purpose until many years later in the Pharaoh's court.

Jesus is our living water.  He will quench our spiritual thirst.  Upper Room Ministries is one of His fountains.  Anyone who thirsts, may obtain this "Living" water; for it is free. 

I realized, that all of my life's challenges and trials, had a lasting purpose for my life.  Each trial, as I looked to God for help, brought much spiritual growth in my life.

I am glad to say, that my son is living victoriously for our God, while he is fighting the AIDS virus and malignant cancer.

I thank our Lord, that if we put our life in God's hands, He will help us.  As in the famous "Footprints" plaque poem, we are not alone, God is carrying us.

Be encouraged everyone, and do look up, for our redemption draweth nigh.

Elizabeth