Tag: church

Another Move

Growing up in Alabama and Louisiana, my parents rented houses for our family of six. Whenever the owner wanted to put the house up for sale, we would move. I got used to (kinda) moving from one neighborhood and a different school during my childhood and teen years. We made friends easily, but adjusting to a new school had its drawbacks. Most often the school was within walking distance from our home, but in high school, my sister and I rode a public bus to and from school. Often after school let out, I would take a bus to the downtown library. Before going to study or look for books, I visited a small nearby restaurant and ordered French fries and a cold soda, not spoiling my appetite for supper. If it was dark when I got off the bus, I would sing as I walked a few blocks home. I thought that would keep me safe.

I married Bill, who already had an appointment at a small church in North Biloxi, Mississippi. We stayed there for two years, and he also taught English in the high school. Many of those students kept in touch over the years. We then moved to a four-point circuit in the country, and Bill arranged a schedule to preach at each church every Sunday. Some of those members kept in touch after we left. The reason for our move at that time was Bill needing to start seminary in Kentucky. To provide for our family, he took an appointment at a church. I marveled at how he kept up with studies while preaching each week. Twice we moved, due to new assignments––and churches adapted to our growing family.

After graduating with a master’s degree, we moved to Indiana, to be close to Cincinnati, Ohio, where Bill started his pursuit of a PhD at a Jewish university. He traveled on Saturdays, between school and church. Our time also involved two different church appointments. By then we had four children. Before he completed his dissertation, Asbury Seminary contacted Bill with a proposal to teach while a professor was on sabbatical. Bill secured a church, but we lived in a duplex owned by the seminary. After two years, Bill moved from the seminary to the college across the street, and we moved into college housing.

After many years as a professor, we ended back in a pastorate, again in Indiana. Bill pastored World Gospel Church for 19 years, and we had a house built. After retirement, Bill contracted Legionnaires’ disease, followed by dementia. When that progressed to needing help, we moved to Indianapolis to live with our daughter, Becky, and her husband, Paul. Our oldest son pastored a church in Ohio, and our two other sons lived and worked in Kentucky.

That brings us to the present: another move. Becky and Paul have closed on a different house in Indianapolis, and we will move by the end of July.

Here is a photo of the house in a wooded area. This will be a good move.

My Identity

Thinking over the names and roles attached to me over the years, I’d say it’s been quite a few. As a baby, I was the first girl born in three Laird generations, making me special to my dad’s mother whom I called Nanny. As a favored child, I took advantage of its pleasures. While my younger sister fell asleep in her crib, I had to be rocked each night. In those years, public school started with kindergarten, so I became a student at five years of age. We moved from Mobile to New Orleans and back to Mobile where I graduated from Murphy High School. Three months later I married Bill Coker and by taking his name (and more) I became his wife. Eleven months later, the birth of our first son gave me the title of mother. Three more children sealed that name and continues today even though they are grown with their own families, meaning I’ve added the names of granny and great-granny.

During Bill’s years at Asbury College, I was known as a professor’s wife, also a student again for I studied for six years to earn a BA. Accepting a job with Good News magazine, I learned to be an editor, a title I’ve kept years past our time in Wilmore. Moving to Indiana, where Bill served as senior pastor at World Gospel Church, I again became a pastor’s wife. Again, because Bill had served churches in Mississippi and Kentucky. I preferred being wife to a pastor above one of a professor.

While in Indiana, I served at a Crisis Pregnancy Center, first as a volunteer and then a client services director. That title served me well as I trained volunteers and met with clients. My writing career continued as I helped edit articles for CPC publications. I continued to keep journals, wondering what use they will be later. Along with Bill, I accepted various positions in the Emmaus community as opportunities arose. Those titles would vary, the last being director for a woman’s walk.

Bill’s dementia journey made it possible and easier for me to get back to editing and writing, compiling his sermons and prayers for four published books. I was not content to call myself an author until I had my first book written and published in 2023. I’m writing a memoir about my role as caregiver through Bill’s dementia journey. After Bill’s death in 2024, I am now a widow.

I didn’t count up all these names, titles, and roles I’ve assumed or earned. But they don’t compare to the one I value the most. I am a child of God, loving Him and serving others in my faith journey.

This blog post is the result of reading a booklet in one day. It’s a gift from my sister Martha: Loving God With All My Soul by Julie A. Link. Identity cannot be lost if someone steals the many numbers associated with an ID. Our identity is based on being made in God’s image. We know His love for us, and we develop our love for Him through the many roles attached to our names.