Over six decades of trusting God ...

Way back in July 1939 when I was 15 years of age, a tent campaign was organised by the Mildmay Movement for Evangelisation which was held in Brentwood, Essex. Two lovely people from Ilford, Dr and Mrs Beattie were the main organisers. They invited several interesting speakers from America, the UK and also Tasmania. For people to travel so far in those days was unusual. The two young men from Tasmania were Trevor Norris, the evangelist and Fred Levett, the soloist. Fred sang several times the beautiful solo, "The Stranger of Galilee" which captured my heart. Allthough I had been brought up by my parents to love Jesus, I had never committed my life to him, but on that hot July evening in response to the invitation given by Trevor Morris, I fell in love with Jesus and dedicated my life to him. Whilst the congregation sang "I am coming Lord, coming now to Thee".

I was a pupil at Brentwood County High School and I felt my first task as a Christian was to witness there for Jesus. It was not an easy thing to do as some of my friends could not understand why this was important for me.

I left school when I was 17 and it was 1941, during the darkest days of the Second World War. I went to work in the Inland Revenue Office in Romford, where we collected War Damage Contributions to pay for repairs to homes which were bombed. Whilst I was there during 1945 we started the PAY-AS-YOU-EARN scheme, as a new way of paying Income Tax.

Working in the Inland Revenue was not very satisfying for me as I longed to teach, so I went to College to qualify as a Junior School teacher. I then taught in schools in Harold Wood and Ingrave before getting married to Clifford.

I had always prayed that I would marry someone who was very active and enthusiastic in the service of the Lord. Clifford was Secretary of the South East Essex Christian Endeavour Union and I was Secretary of the Brentwood and Upminster Christian Endeavour Union, so we met at C.E. events. C.E. is sometimes called "Courting Encouraged !". We realised that God was calling us to serve Him together. We had 48 happy years together for which I am extremely grateful. Clifford died last May and I miss him very much. He had been a member of Earls Hall Baptist Church since 1942. The church began in 1939 and Clifford had helped from the beginning and served as a Deacon for 40 years. He was also a Lay Preacher in essex and served the Essex Baptist Association in various capacities all the time I knew him. He was also involved in many other Christian organisations.

When Clifford and I set up home together very close to our church, I had to learn how to give Christian hospitality, which was often not easy as we had two children, and I began teaching again when the children were quite young. When I look back I think with gratitude of the way the Lord gave me strength to do what he called me to do. I taught in Earls Hall Baptist Sunday School for 25 years. I played the organ or the piano in other churches where I was invited because they had no organist.

I progressed in my career and became Headteacher of Benfleet Infant School where I tried to bring a Christian influence during my 13 years there.

When I retired in 1984 I was able to spend more time with my grandchildren who live in Surrey. I was also asked to be President of the Southend & District Baptist Womens Fellowship and I started to go round the to the various Womens Meetings at their invitation to speak. I have been greatly blessed and encouraged as I have met many lovely ladies in the meetings who are very generous in supporting so many good causes.

I feel very privledged to have been a member of Earls Hall Baptist Church for over 48 years and it is wonderful to have the support of Christian friends especially during a time of bereavement.

There is nothing to compare with being part of the family of God and to experience His everlasting love. As I trace my life back I see God's Hand has been upon me even when I have failed Him, which has been often, but He has never let me go. Thanks be to God.