Elsie - New Zealand

Nickname: Elsie

I grew up in a small village in northeast England, between the towns
of Sunderland and Newcastle. I don't remember a time when God was not in my life, thanks to my parents. They loved and cared for each other very much and also loved us very much too, and GOD IS LOVE.

God was in everything we did all the time. As a family we went for walks and enjoyed the beauty of God's creation around us.
My father loved his garden, especially his roses. He helped me to look at the garden and learn that we were partners with God in making this lovely garden. We were encouraged to see good in all that happened in our lives and the lives of those around us.

God was in the storms too, especially through the days of war and falling bombs. He was in the peace of the rainbow after the storm. I was always reminded of this by God's promise that He would never let His world be destroyed.

As I grew older, I began to get involved in activities at the local church - but at
the age of about fourteen I asked myself, "why." Most of my friends were staying at home and doing other things on Sundays.

I was lucky that I was able to talk to a wonderful retired minister about how I felt. He started a group for a few my age who wanted to ask questions. Through this, he led me to know Jesus as my personal Lord and Saviour. I gave my life competely to Him on 5th December 1952.

From then on, I felt a wonderful peace and my life changed. Not in any dramatic way, but I now know that everything I did was what God wanted me to do. It was not always as I expected but so much better than anything I could have planned.

I had always wanted to be a teacher and was able to fulfill this dream in 1954. I knew that this was also part of God's plan. In 1960 everyone thought that I should be getting married and settling down, but I knew I was not ready to do this. My brother suggested I should go to New Zealand as I had been very interested in this country as a child. I had not thought about doing this, but obviously this was part of God's plan for me too. At
the end of 1960, I was aboard a ship on my way to New Zealand. God sent me to a part of the country I would never have chosen, but it was just an amazing time for me.

Eventually in 1970 I met a great person, and we married and were blessed with two lovely daughters. I now also have two beautiful grandchildren, and I try to teach them and love them the way my parents did with us.

I have been retired since 1995, although I also stayed at home with my children until they were sixteen.

Now God has shown me that one of my favourite hobbies, photography, can be used to help bring others to Him.