We had been on the church field about thirteen months when two of the deacons began a crusade to get rid of Frank. We were taken totally off guard. On our anniversary we were given a “pounding” which is the church collecting groceries for the pastor and surprising him with them at a reception. We were surprised and grateful. Then that night two of the ladies asked me how I had enjoyed my trip with my mom and dad to see my brother in Illinois and my cousin in Colorado. One of them said, “I guess you don’t like your husbands preaching either.” I was so stunned that I wasn’t able to respond. When we got home and I began putting the groceries away. I noticed there were four cans without labels. Couriously, I cut the cams open and discovered someone had given us four cans of dog food! What a sinking feeling I had. We didn’t even have a dog. I’d never felt such hatred.

The next month, the deacons met again and the same two went at it to remove Frank again. This time the other deacons seemed divided in their opinions. A meeting was set for the following Sunday afternoon for them to meet again. We didn’t know what was going to happen and just prayed for God’s will. We knew He was totally aware of what was occurring. Our sons were all home that weekend and so we told them of the situation. I warned each of them not to let any of this make them bitter. They didn’t need to carry a root of bitterness over the church’s treatment of us. Frank went to the meeting. There was so much dissension that Frank told them he would resign rather than cause a nasty fight in the church. They accepted his resignation and that part of this episode in our life began. Whether that was the right decision for us that night, we won’t know until we see the Lord. We did know His continued leadership and presence in our lives. The church did give us some months severance pay and time to find another house to move into. We stayed in that town because I had a job. We had to tell our eldest son that we could not afford to pay his room and board for college the next year; nor were we able to help our youngest as he began college, nor buy him a car for graduation as we had his brothers.

The night of graduation, Stephen went to the all-night party. At 5:30 am, the students tried keys on an old model Ford Fairlane and on the third round, Stephen got the key that opened the car door. The car became his. I told him, “Your Daddy couldn’t get you a car, so your Father did.” He drove that car for two and a half years when Frank took him shopping and he turned it in for a newer model truck which he drove until college was finished. God takes care of our needs in amazing ways. The Lord also provided for our Eldest son with a loan from a friend so he was able to complete his degree. God is truly our provider. I was provided wit a side job which helped fill in some of the gaps also. We never missed a meal or payments for whatever needs we had. God is faithful to care for His own when we trust in Him and follow Him.

We remained in the city four more years because I had a job. God did a lot in us and through us during those years. Some of which I’ll write about next time. My prayer was that none of us, would harbor any bitterness as a result of this experience. Were it not for Jesus, I would have never set foot in a church again. But Jesus always has a better plan and a better way when we follow Him.