When I graduated from CBC in 2002, I felt God leading me to a new church. Some dear friends were attending Evangel Temple and they recommended I check it out. I wen tot Sunday school and that particular week, Jennifer Gale, the associate pastor, was speaking. She hooked me. Having gone through Bible college and having a desire to enter into ministry myself as a single female, we had an instance kinship. We struck an immediate friendship. At the time, she was pregnant with her 2nd child, Nathaniel. Jennifer quickly became a mentor to me as well. We began going out every Monday night visiting guests that had come to church. I was an appointed Missionary Associate to Inner city St Louis, but when my assignment fell through, I became a M.A. to Evangel Temple for a year working with her. After that year I was hired part time to work at the church to work in the Christian Education dept and I continued to work closely with her. Some of my most wonderful memories come from my time working with her and our Monday night times visiting. When I left Evangel Temple in 2009 my biggest internal struggle was leaving her family there because I hated the idea of not going to church with them. Even though we didnt see each other as often or talk as often, we still maintained a close friendship. Those early years out of CBC were a very difficult time for me. I was completely stuck and struggled with a bit of depression trying to find myself as a fresh college graduate and finding my purpose in life. Jennifer and Greg were always there for me. They took me in during holidays when I couldn't make it home, she let me cry on her shoulder over a broken heart and was always there when I needed her. She let me play a huge role in her children's life. I have watched her kids grown and blossom and love them like I love my own nieces and nephews. They're my babies! It's hard to put into words how much she has meant to me over the years and how much her family has meant to me. I just get jumbled up thinking of all of the memories we've shared over the last 9 years. It's almost impossible to put into words the profound impact she and her family have had on my life. When I decided to go back to school in 2007 to become a teacher she was my biggest fan. Her love and prayers have helped me to become who I am. She has seen me through the best times and the worst times. I am going to miss our conversations around the island in her kitchen with Victoria climbing all over me and spilling food on me and the boys fighting over the TV in the next room. :o) I am so thankful I got to spend this Easter with them. I'll always remember hunting eggs in the rain with them! I'll miss Victoria running and jumping into my arms when she sees me. I'll miss chasing Isaac and giving him kisses. He still loves that! I'll miss snuggling with the boys and their big blue blanket at Christmas and watching Polar Express. I'll miss our summer Pineapple Whip dates. I'll miss trips to the park and fun times at their house playing snow ball fight with paper wads, hide and seek and just hanging out.
I am also going to miss Greg always being my "car guy." I've bought three cars from him and he's always taken care of me and the issues I've had with my car. Of course...I'll miss him also...not just b/c of my car!
Yesterday I said goodbye to her as she enters a new stage of ministry and moves on to Pennsylvania. I am overjoyed at this amazing opportunity she has. I believe God is going to bless her and her family in ways she can never comprehend. That said, I have to be a bit selfish. I am going to miss her so incredibly much. I am going to miss those kids more than I can even begin to think about. I have yet to be able to think about them leaving without bursting out in tears! Jennifer has been my pastor, my mentor, a sister, and one of my dearest friends. I know she'll always be a phone call away, but it will never be the same. I love you all Gale family!
Marti Jo
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