My parents believed in God, but did not go to church. They made sure my brother, 2 sisters and I attended Sunday School at a local, country church.

At age 7, I attended a summer church camp and asked Jesus to come into my heart. I told my parent what I had done when I came home and they thought it was nice.

At age 17, I recommitted my life to the Lord. The love and acceptance of Rev. and Mrs. Swarthout are a big reason for this happening. Mrs. Swarthout told me years later that she had prayed for me for the past 6 years.

I attended a small Christian college in Michigan and got married at the age of 20. I planned to be a minister. My wife had been abused as a child. As soon as we were married, I saw anger, jealousy and a need to control me. She was a Christian, as far as one can know that. We tried marital counseling, counseling for her, separation, but everything was my fault. After 4 1/2 years of a miserable marriage, we were divorced. Many years later, she wrote to my parents and me and apologized for how she had acted. She stated that she was going to Alcoholics Anonymous and church to get her life together. I wrote back, let her know I had forgiven her and prayed for her and her family.

I have been married for 40 years now, have a lovely wife and a Christian marriage. I have been a mental health counselor for 40 years. God has seen us through rough times, my wife surviving ovarian cancer and me having several close calls while riding my motorcycle.

I have more good friends at this point in my life than ever. I still love counseling and working with teenagers and children, as well as adults.

I look forward to Heaven and all that God has planned for believers.