Women Lifting Women

Editor’s note: We invited women to celebrate other women from Calvary who have been a sweet source of encouragement to them. Here are the tributes, full of warmth and appreciation for the sweet ways that people show love and encouragement.

Shortly after starting to attend Calvary, Lucinda Stroetz discovered we were from the same home town and actually knew my parents.   From that time on, (18 years ago), Lucinda has a God-led way in which she reaches out to me by text, voice message, or a phone call.   It may be on the anniversary of my sister’s death (1976)… or my parents 4 years ago.   Who does that?  I am so very grateful for her kindness, prayers, encouragement, attention to my details and unconditional love..  Thank you, Lucinda!!

by Lores Vlaminck

We had the pleasure of meeting Joanna Vaughan and her son Marcus at the mystery dinner this summer.  Since then our boys have played together and we invited them to join our small group. Coming to my MRI in September, Joanna messaged me during her busy day of teaching 1st grade at Schaeffer Academy and let me know she’d be praying for me at 2:00 when she had her afternoon break.  My heart was filled to bursting knowing someone was thinking of me.

LeeAnn Tebben has encouraged me by being a listening ear and voice of wisdom as I am navigating a difficult season of stress and changes.  She can relate to me as we are both married to men in the medical field.  And she gracious to sit with me as I tend to blabber on and on.  

by Laura Kycek

Maureen Johnson is the kind of friend that will literally drop everything to come help in practical ways. For me that meant showing up and cleaning my bathroom when I had a newborn all the way to helping to untangle and braid my hair before I got admitted to the hospital while sick with pneumonia (and watching my 3 other kids for an unknown time frame while things got sorted out.) Meals together, asking the hard questions about my heart and my marriage, digging into challenging Bible studies and so much more. She has been a trusted confidant and an example of how if you submit, God can wreck your life in the best ways.

Sara Chaco has been a faithful prayer warrior and helped dig into the hard of having a young family. She has lovingly shared the wisdom and lessons learned in her life, wholely opened herself to difficult conversations and opened her home to my tribe on short notice without hesitation. Sara has been the kind of witness of God’s tenderness when we let him permeate our soul, and shown me how showing up consistently means so much more than words.

by Katie King

I would select Nancy Monson.  Her quiet, humble servant-hearted manner is so present where there is a need, whether in the kitchen, carrying a tray for me, or helping at the church door, when my mobility has become “wobbly.” She is like an angel.

by Marilynn Moe

Carolyn Whitford- she is my Betsie ten Boom-always tenderly pointing me to the Lord by her unwavering sweet faith, words, and example.

Emily Ofstedahl- I’m in awe of what an incredible mama, and now grandma, she is. So often I think of how the Lord must look on her with tender approval. Plus she is absolutely the best neighbor anyone could ask for.

by Vicki Tierney

Sylvia Thorn has a ministry of sending encouraging hand-penned cards in the mail, and I have been the blessed recipient of many of them over the last 20 years. Even though we don’t spend time together (that needs to change!) and only occasionally cross paths at church, I consider her one of my “angels of encouragement,” knowing she prays for me and is cheering me on.

Marilynn Moe first impressed me by sharing about her scripture memory process at Renovaré. Now she regularly checks in on me and my family, remembering the names and details of my adult children, empathizing with heartaches and victories, and always praying and encouraging. She even had my husband and me over to her apartment to share about their trip to Antartica. Like many younger women at Calvary, I want to be just like Marilynn when I grow up!

by Jill Pearson