The Waterloo United Methodist Church seems to draw me into the “crossroads” of my family’s life as I look back through time. My three sisters, brother, and I were raised in the church. We were members of two Methodist churches in Madison. But our Aunt Kate, was an active member here in Waterloo. My father, Kate’s brother, Art W. and our mom would bring our family out to spend a week with Aunt Kate and Uncle Ray every summer. I learned to iron at her farmhouse, and even enjoyed it! Aunt Kate never had children of her own, but we nieces and nephews became her adopted ones…at least in our minds!
When I left Wisconsin and moved around the country with my husband and his ever-changing career, I always stayed in touch with Aunt Kate. She would also write to me, wherever we moved to. She and I shared a spiritual bond as well. She was a church leader and enjoyed the many aspects of worship. I wish I knew all the ways she contributed, but I do know that she was the president of her circle. I was just told how organized and well planned she was, down to typing out a scripture verse for everyone to read at the end of a circle meeting. How she loved her typewriter! Mostly though, she loved serving her church, the Island Church, and her Lord! I couldn’t wait to come home and join her at one of her circle meetings so that we could share in our faith from one generation to another!
Unfortunately, I returned home too late. She was moved from her home to receive the care she needs at The Sun Prairie Healthcare Center. In May, she celebrated her 97th birthday and it is well documented that her quick wit and sauciness is loved by all who care for her!
We do visit with each other still, even though she doesn’t recognize me any more. She remembers bits and pieces of her life if I repeat it to her, over and over and over again – and it brings me joy to do so. However, I still have regret that I never made it to one of her circle meetings…
And so I write this testimony in her honor. It tells of how our family grew up with the knowledge that it is through our commitment to God and His church, that we can truly live life. Aunt Kate did, and fortunately for us, our family did too. It is truly the tie that binds!
Our parents brought us to church each week. Those were the days of dressing up more…dad wouldn’t let us girls get into the car if we didn’t have our white gloves on! Mom and dad sang in the choir and we were all active in Sunday school and youth group when we were old enough.
If we didn’t learn it at church, we certainly learned so many important lessons at home. Our mother patiently loved us and taught us the value of goodness and hospitality. The lesson she would repeat to us over and over again was the lesson that Jesus also commands us: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” We were also fortunate to know that even in the many times they had to discipline us, we were loved and forgiven. It is a lesson that I have carried on in raising my three boys. It was not always easy for me, or my boys, to ask for forgiveness, but it helped us each time to finally “start over” and try again. It only reminds me how often Jesus does that for me... over and over and over again!
We feel blessed to have both of our parents here with us still. Mom and Dad feel blessed to have each other - their health with its aches and pains, and the memories of all the joys and tribulations they have witnessed throughout their sixty years of marriage. As a family, we would not have survived the trials or celebrated the joys without our faith or without a place… the church. It was there where we would gather as a community of believers to honor God…the One who strengthens us and gives us the gift of each new day.
Even now, there are crossroads before me, as there may be for so many of us. It is my prayer that we look back into the history of those ancient paths to know where the good way is. When we choose to walk in it, we have the promise that there will be rest for our souls.
For me, how I praise God for this heritage of family and faith!
And, how I praise God for the life of my Aunt Kate and that generation of men and women who served the church with her!
Linda
