Faith Stories
Katherine
My name is Katherine Jenchel. In 2019, we experienced a miscarriage. It was devastating for me. Becoming a mother was something I had always deeply yearned for. After a time of mourning and processing, I began to pray everyday for a baby. I used a pray shawl crocheted through the ministry at Grace. I read and reread the first chapter of First Samuel. I felt comfort and hope in the story of Hannah. “For this child I prayed; and the Lord has granted me the petition that I made to him” (1 Samuel 1:27) God answered my prayers with Alec. Alec is my rainbow baby. A constant reminder that God is with me, hears me, and answers prayers. Alec’s middle name is Simon, which means to hear or be heard. This is a picture of Alec as a newborn, the orange and brown blanket he is on is the prayer shawl I used to pray for him.
“At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” ~ Matthew 18:1-4
Rick
Isaiah 41:9-10. You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off; fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
My name is Rick Hillmer. I was baptized and grew up in an ELCA church in a small town in northwest Iowa. Like most kids, I went through the motions, not actually believing, until around middle school. I was confirmed and then my weekly attendance at church slowed down. The summer before my junior year, I started playing drums for our Saturday contemporary service. This ministry really reengaged my faith and helped ensure my weekly worship attendance was steady.
During this time, I had to put this ministry on pause, when I was diagnosed with brain cancer, needing surgery, rehab, and 6 weeks of radiation treatments. I got back to church and playing the drums, as soon as possible.
When I went to college, I somewhat fell out of my faith, going to church only on Christmas and Easter. When I graduated and started my career, I didn’t go at all. After a few years of that, I knew I was missing a piece of my life and knew needed to find my own church, hoping to turn my behavior around. I wasn’t sure where to try, until Donna Reisetter handed me a cup of water at the Sweet Corn Festival. As a young member of Grace, I served on church council and our first internship committee. That is when I saw my life turn around.
I met my wife, Shasta, and we now have two great kids, Annika and Levi. I attended via de christo a couple times in Northwest Iowa and served on our second internship committee (back when Pastor Tania was Vicar Tania) which also helped grow in my faith. With the start of COVID lockdowns, I joined a men’s devotional group and have been having a zoom meeting with several guys each workday since.
Everything was going great until October 11, 2020 (my wife’s birthday) when I suffered a stroke. This was actually worse than the tumor, affecting my speech and vision as well as losing all muscle control on my left side. The worst part about this was not being able to go to church, having to attend on zoom. After learning to walk a 3rd time, things are close to normal. Now, I’m trying to stay strong to help guide our kids through their faith.
I write this as I’m sitting in the hospital the day after having emergency surgery. My high school guidance counselor gave me a plaque that reads ”don’t pray for tasks equal to your powers, pray for powers equal to your tasks”. To me, this sums up my life.
I believe that God will not give me anything more than I can handle and that I am stronger and my faith is stronger for all that I have been through.
Cole
My name is Cole Radke. I believe that God is working through us in ways that we have no idea about. I think God gives us strength to do things that are hard. I chose Matthew 28:20 for my confirmation Bible verse, “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age,” because it’s an important reminder that God is with us wherever we go.
My family, including parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, have been important on my faith journey and they have taught me to be kind to others and that prayer is important. Times that I pray are with my team before football games, before meals with my family, and even when I’m driving and the roads are bad. I believe that faith in God’s plan is sometimes hard but worth it.
Proverbs 3:5-6. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Jackie
My name is Jackie Soloman. I have been a member of Grace Lutheran since 1997. I have felt God’s presence in my life many times....daily even. However, there were periods of my life when I felt His arms come around me tight to give me peace. I was told from the very beginning of my third pregnancy, that I was RH Negative and should avoid buying anything new for the baby. My third child, Matthew, only lived 10 hours. Even today, I find it difficult to describe the pain. To make matters worse, the hospitals did not let you see your baby or have closure. How do you bear losing a child? How do you get through this time of guilt, self-doubt and sorrow? It was an immense time of grief for myself and husband. The hospital chaplain spent a lot time with me after the birth. He was truly a gift from God. He never talked openly about the birth and loss, but spent his time with me sharing some of the joys in his life. The chaplain never indicated that I should be happy that I already had two children, which sends the message of guilt & ungratefulness. We just sat for hours just talking about life and how good it was. In reflection, this time instilled in me a realization how blessed I was to carry children and a new realization of what a beautiful future I had with my family. Surprisingly, this was a season of hope for me, I had faith that God had plans for Matthew and in turn, for me. I knew then, that this was God working in my life.
My other son, Michael, struggled with addiction. During this time, Larry & I held onto so much fear and worry. It’s a helpless feeling seeing addiction take over your child’s life. After two times through rehabilitation, he lived sober for many years and a life filled with faith, hope and love. Eight years ago, we had breakfast with Michael and two days later he died of a heart attack. The last words we said to one another was, “I love you.”
Again, our faith in God’s plan for us was what carried us through this dark time. Grace Lutheran and Pastor Julie truly supported us through this difficult time and were our comfort.
During my life, God has taught me that taking one day at a time can give me peace & hope. I really can’t do anything about the future, but, with God’s help, I CAN make today a good one.
Philippians 4:10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Christ who gives me strength.