Praise and thanks to God for my Lutheran heritage, the precious memories
     of the time related to S. John's Lutheran Church, my wonderful parents,
     Charles and Frieda (Hensiek) Bether, who insisted I know the Lord and His
     ways. (Mark 6:33)
       I lived in Nashville, Kansas, until I completed the third grade when
     Dad was sent to Sitka, Kansas, for his job. This move had me live with my
     grandparents, William and Katherine Hensiek, and my aunt and uncle, Fred
     and Hulda Westerman, during my seventh and eighth grades for my confirmation
     instructions.
       Then came the exciting day of proclaiming our love for Jesus before a
     large congregation. How the butterflies were flittin' inside us as we
     pondered the answers.
       Aside from the spiritual, remember girls, how excited we were about our
     white dresses and our white shoes that had what we considered to be high
     heels? Wow!
       Christmas programs, the precious message of our Saviour's birth, were 
     special and that bag of candy and fruit was pretty great, too.
       John and I met in Wichita, Kansas, and were married February 11, 1950.
     We moved to Galveston, Texas, for seven and one-half years where I
     taught Sunday School. That Sunday School started with Vacation Bible 
     School in our yard with bed sheets over the clothesline and off the
     garage for shade, the inside of the house and what space was left in the
     garage for classes. This started a Sunday School which we had every
     Sunday in our home until we acquired the Fireman's Hall. St. John's
     Lutheran Church was on 39th and we lived on 61st Street.
       We moved to Hawthorne, California, in October 1960. John was employed
     by Hughes Aircraft as a Computer Programmer.
       Our three children are John S., born November 25, 1952, living in
     Lawndale, California; Mark, October 4, 1965; Beth, December 10, 1967. We
     have two grandchildren: Amber, 7, and Alexa, 3, all presently living in
     Hemet.
       All four of my grandparents came from Germany. I regret that I did not
     spend more time with them fellowshipping and listening to their God
     given wisdom. How I cherish the time spent with my great bunch of cousins,
     aunts and uncles, all walking with the Lord.
       In 1978 we moved to Hemet, California, where God gave us the privilege
     of owning The Bible Bookstore for 13 years. We retired July 1, 1990.
       Jesus said, "Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of
     God.: (John 3:3)" "We are saved by grace and not by works lest any man
     should boast." (Eph. 2:8-9)
       Jesus, we thank you!
       God bless you!
                 
     Source:St. John's Lutheran Church Centennial 1893-1994, Nashville, Kansas,  pg. 22 
     Submitted by: Doris V. Bether Adams