Anja
My Story
Perhaps the turning point in my life was in 2002. My daughter Anja was almost two and we were driving south of Atlanta. I was doing 80 mph when a tractor trailer cut right in front of me. The wind current he created sent my car swerving and we flipped over several times until we landed in the slow lane of traffic going the other direction. Someone came to help and I asked him to get Anja out of the back. I climbed out with barely a scratch. While standing in the grass staring at my car, in shock, an old Cadillac came flying towards the scene and hit me. I flew 30 feet and landed just short of a row of trees. Someone came and pulled my tongue out of my throat. By helicopter I was transported to the hospital with two broken legs. Anja got weaned from breast feeding that day. For two weeks I did not know who I was. An ambulance transported me back to PA. I was told I may not walk again but five months later I was back to work. No doubt did I have that the Lord spared me for a reason.
...But change takes time. I became a school bus driver for many years and spent a significant amount of time praying in tongues. And I changed. My whole outlook on life was different. When I read "Practicing His Presence" I was excited to read Frank Laubach's testimony. As a lonely missionary in the Philippines, he began an experiment of practicing His presence, and he kept a journal. On June 1, 1930 he wrote:
As I analyze myself I find several things happening to me as a result of these two months of strenuous effort to keep the Lord in mind every minute. This concentration upon God is strenuous, but everything else has ceased to be so. I think more clearly, I forget less frequently. Things which I did with a strain before, I now do easily and with no effort whatever. I worry about nothing, and I lose no sleep. I walk on air a good part of the time. Even the mirror reveals a new light in my eyes and face. I no longer feel in a hurry about anything. Everything goes right. Each minute I meet calmly as though it were not important. Nothing can go wrong excepting one thing. That is that God may slip from my mind if I do not keep on my guard. If He is there, the universe is with me. My task is simple and clear.[1]
​
This is similar to what tongues did for me! To see daily inspirational posts, visit my Facebook page:
In December 2021 I received a BS in Christian Ministry, and in December 2023 an MA in Biblical Exposition, Biblical Studies.
The journey continues.
​
1 Frank Laubach, Practicing His Presence, ed. by Gene Edwards (Augusta, Christian Books, 1973), 15-16.
​
A few favorites
GOD'S FAMILY
​
You don't need special qualities to be a member of the most
Inclusive club, God's family. You're good enough. No need to boast
About yourself. God's not impressed. He won't use superstars. Instead
He uses those who recognize, without Him they're as good as dead.
​
Yes, Jesus died for all of us. His love extends to everyone.
No matter color, race or creed He welcomes you, excluding none.
Acts chapter 10 relays how God showed Peter in a dream, that He
Is no respecter of specific persons. We are all redeemed.
When Jesus taught the multitude in chapter 12 of Matthew, He
Was told his mother and his brethren were outside. He then decreed
That whosoever does the will of Father up in heaven, these
Same people are His brother/sister/ mother. We're His family.
​
Paul tells us in Colossians 1 verse twelve, give thanks to Father who
Has made us "meet" (that's "qualified") to be partakers of His true
Inheritance for all the "saints" (believers in Lord Jesus). He
Delivered us from powers of darkness (Satan), teaches verse thirteen.
​
(one more stanza...)
