As a Teenager

• I accepted Christ as my Lord & Savior the summer before my freshman year of High School
• Attended a Christian high school my first year as a believer
• I treasured the friendship of two close Christian girl friends during my high school years, with whom I spent most of my time both at school and at church youth group functions
• Very involved in a large (300+ kids) high school youth group at a wonderful church, Arcade Baptist Church in Sacramento
• Discipled by Heidi, an amazing example to me as a mature woman in Christ in my first 3 years as a believer
• Earned a full-time paycheck the summer after graduating from H.S. when I  took  job as a teller in a Savings & Loan (nka banks)

In my 20's

• Attended a community college and working part-time at the bank
• Attended Biola University, majored in Christian Education
• Stayed with the same bank for 7 years, moving eventually into the Branch Service Manager position.
• Met Dan at Biola University, falling madly in love, then marrying in the Fall after he graduated Biola (for our story, go to Dan & Sue's love story began...
• Six months before the wedding, my apartment burned down; lost everything
• Became a PW (Pastor's Wife), Deaconness & Choir Director at age 22, all the same day
• Moved from California to Dallas, Texas for 4 years while Dan attended Dallas Theological Seminary and I worked full-time at law firm
• My beloved dad passed away after a year-long battle with cancer of the esophagus. His funeral took place the day before my 25th birthday.
• Moved back to California, where Dan was called to Valley Community Church in Pleasanton, CA; PW again
• Shortly after starting at VCC, a new Youth Pastor was hired. I worked on staff with our High School group, leading girl's Bible Studies
• After 5-1/2 years of marriage, I had a miscarriage, then Alex, & then Grace.  Had enough.

In my 30's

• Began and directed the church's first MOPS (Mothers Of PreSchoolers) group at VCC
• Directed VBS for two years--200 volunteers and 300 kids--What fun!
• Bought a larger house, leaving the tiny townhouse
• Developed symptoms of Rheumatoid  Arthritis and Fibromylgia
• Started treatment for depression that probably began with Post-Partum Depression after Grace's birth
• Lost nearly all symptoms of the arthritis and Fibromylgia within a year of beginning treatment for depression
• Led a weekly women's Bible Study as part of our Women's Ministry new study format
• After Dan hired new Children's Ministry director, I supported the Christian Ed department in various roles, i.e. Sunday School Supervisor, Trainer, Sunday School Teacher, etc.
• Worked as a One-on-One aide to an autistic child in local elementary school; first as full-time job, then part-time as substitute. I did this job or three years and loved it!
• With Dan now serving as Senior Pastor, I limited my official activities in Women's Ministry and the Christian Ed department, and simply made myself available as needs arose.
• Began ministering to staff women and Pastors' Wives on staff.

In my 40's

• Restarted the Pastors Wives Thriving in the Fishbowl website encouraged Pastors Wives to thrive in their ministry life, not just survive.
• Love having teenagers!! I never thought I would say that. They are both wonderful people, and a joy to both Dan and I.

1 Corinthians 13:3-8a from The Message

by Eugene Peterson

So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.

Love doesn't strut,

Doesn't have a swelled head,

Doesn't force itself on others,

Isn't always "me first,"

Doesn't fly off the handle,

Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,

Doesn't revel when others grovel,

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

Puts up with anything,

Trusts God always,

Always looks for the best,

Never looks back,

But keeps going to the end.

Love never dies.