Phyllis' Testimony

I was asked to write my testimony by Patty Kissinger. My first thought was, I don’t have one. All the others have been so interesting but my life has been a quiet one. So I’ll write about my life even though it seems strange to focus on me.

Phoenixville is where I was born, in a house that was torn down later for a shopping center. I was the youngest child of four and my parents were about 40 when I was born. Since everyone else was so much older, it felt like I was an only child. The closest in age was my brother who was 11 years older and graduated from high school when I was in first grade. Apparently I was quite an unwanted pest to him and he enjoyed tormenting me but we have grown close as the years passed. We are the only two left of our original family—two sisters have died and our parents as well as all our many aunts and uncles. And that must be in God’s plan. As you grow older and loved ones are gone, you miss more and more people and death comes a little closer with the welcoming expectation that you will see them all again— only sooner rather than later.

My brother started going to Central Lutheran Church in town where his future wife belonged and I was soon going too at a very young age. My parents got involved in the activities there and I did too. Some of Centennial’s members came from that congregation. I don’t remember not believing in God. I listened to all the Sunday school teachers and Bible stories and I believed. I joined the junior choir and the one thing I remember there, was a boy who always sat in back of me and kept poking me with his feet through the opening of the seat. This went on for weeks and months. (Now if you know me at all, you know I am usually even-tempered and almost never get angry. It has to really build up before I take action.) And finally one Sunday, I had had enough. I calmly stood up in the middle of the service, turned around, and hit him over the head with my hymnal. A gasp from the congregation. (My sister-in-law says it was really something to see.) He never bothered me again and eventually became a minister!

When I got to be the age to be confirmed, I went to catechetical class once a week after school with one other girl my age (small class) and learned more about Jesus, God and being a Lutheran. I always believed.

Life went on—school, graduation, working full-time as a secretary in Phoenixville. Joe and I started dating, not too thrilling for either family 56 years ago as my family was Lutheran and his was Catholic. It was a big deal then, hard to understand now. Halfway through his four years in the Navy, we married and our families were okay with the idea by then. We stayed close to both sides and as time went by, made them happy grandparents with our four boys.

We continued attending Central Lutheran until the merge with St. John’s when we decided to visit other Lutheran churches in the area, finally choosing Centennial after two years. We had foster children for a while and I remember having five little boys with us at Centennial. The two brothers went back to their home and our final foster child became our very own fourth son to love. Through all this and the daily, sometimes hectic, living, I always believed. And I prayed—to be a good wife, to be a good mother, to do God’s will. Always falling short of what I wanted to be.

I went to a women’s Bible study years ago—many churches were represented. Those from Centennial who stand out from those special times together were Joanne Bielefeld, Donna Cunningham, Nancy Munz, Linda Grubbs and Mary Ann Boyd. Bible study and prayer for each of us and others needing help. Our concerns for our families. Joanne, especially, prayed with and for me. Bible studies bring people close as did the many taught by Gil Bielefeld and the groups led by Pastor Munz.

Never did I feel a sudden, lightning burst from God where I instantly became a believer. There was one time though I did feel His presence. Our youngest son was confirmed and there was an altar call. I felt compelled to go up and kneeling, felt infused with something very warm throughout my body that I believe was the Holy Spirit. I’ve never forgotten it and it’s comforting to me to remember, He is always with me.

Life goes on. Joe had cancer 27 years ago and I did almost 10 years ago which got us involved with the Relay For Life. Our sons grew up and we have three wonderful daughters-in-law, three grandsons, a granddaughter and now a great-grandson. We’ve been married 52 years but I still see Joe in my mind’s eye as he was 56 years ago! (His mind eyesight’s not that good concerning me.) I’ve been Centennial’s secretary thirty years and completely surprised by Council’s recognition of that on a recent Sunday. Centennial has really been a wonderful church home for us with people we enjoy and love, with weekly messages of inspiration from Pastor Munz.

It’s been a good life. We’ve been blessed by God in so many ways we can’t begin to deserve. I hope anyone reading this will also come to believe in God. Just keep praying to believe. I’m sure your story will be much more fascinating than mine but even if it’s average and quiet too, tell us about it!

 How about you? Do you have a testimony of turning your life over to Christ, or a witness story about how God increased your faith?  Put it in Patty’s narthex mailbox or e mail to: pattykissinger@centenniallutheran.org

Note:  Have you just read this testimony and want to respond to the author – send me your reply and I’ll see that they get it!  Blessings, Patty