2026 Lent: Journey of Transformation

Verse of the Day “He loved them to the end.” (John 13:1)   You could say I was born into the church. Not with a dramatic moment, but with a quiet, steady faith. My father was a Methodist minister, and church life was the ground beneath our feet.   I don’t remember not being in church. As a child, I even wandered “up front” during a service and ended up between my father’s legs while he was praying. Faith was simply part of life.   When I was five, we moved to a place where my father served many small churches. He worked tirelessly, often gone day and night. Even during the war, life was uncertain. But church remained at the center—quilting, mission work, gathering, serving.   Later, I met Don. He was persistent. He kept asking, and eventually, I said yes—not just to him, but to a life together. I made a vow before God: for better or worse. And I meant it. We had challenges, but we built a good life. We were just three weeks short of 65 years together when he passed. ...

Verse of the Day “Whoever is faithful in very little is faithful also in much.” — Luke 16:10   I was born in Rumford, but I grew up in Mars Hill. This town has always been home to me. Some of my earliest memories are simple ones—napping on a cot at my grandparents’ house, the smell of cookies, and the quiet joy of being together. Life was not fancy, but it was full.   I was raised in the Mars Hill Methodist Church, just like my parents and grandparents. I can still hear my grandmother humming hymns while she worked. Back then, I didn’t know the songs—but later in church, I realized, “That’s what she was singing.” That place shaped me. It gave me a sense of belonging.   Life brought both joy and hardship. One of the hardest seasons was my divorce. It was sudden. I had no place to go, no transportation, nothing but the clothes I had. Still, somehow, God carried me through. Step by step, I found my way back home. That decision changed everything.   In time, I raised my...

  Verse of the Day “God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.” – Romans 5:20 (NLT) I was born in Mars Hill, Maine, and grew up in a simple home where life was not always easy. As a child, I remember feeling afraid and alone on the school bus. But over time, I adjusted, and I found joy in school and friendships.   My faith began to take root when I was about eleven. My father, after struggling with alcohol, found help through a twelve-step program. That journey led our family to the Methodist Church. There, women of faith guided me, and I gave my life to Christ.   After marrying my husband, Blinn, we raised six children in a busy, loving home. It was not always easy. We had limited means, but we worked together and stayed grounded in faith. I stayed home while the children were young, then later worked so I could still be present for them.   There were hard s...

Verse of the Day “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” — Matthew 5:16   I grew up in Port Vue, Pennsylvania, in a close-knit community where neighbors cared for one another. I remember walking two miles to school with other kids, and sometimes stopping at a little store if we had a few pennies. Life was simple, but it shaped me.   Faith was part of my life from the beginning. I went to Sunday school at a small Methodist church on a hill. My father played piano, and my mother served in the kitchen. At home, I learned that faith is not just spoken—it is lived through service.   As I grew older, the world changed. I remember the Korean War, and the tragic losses of leaders like President Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., and Robert Kennedy, and the students at Kent State. In those moments, my faith deepened. I began to see that faith is not only belief—it is action. It is standing for what is right ...

Verse of the Day “Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God” – John 3:1-2   I have always been a seeker. Even as a child, I tested things—once tipping over a baby carriage just to see what would happen. I watched closely, learned deeply, and carried that curiosity into life.   I grew up in a home shaped by books, observation, and steady rhythms. My father taught me to pay attention. My mother filled my world with reading. On the farm, I learned responsibility—feeding chickens, checking the spring, watching life unfold. I explored creeks with my dog, always wondering what was around the next bend.   College stretched me. Physical chemistry and calculus were hard. I learned my limits. I learned to try again. That same persistence carried me into medicine, where I found joy in ...

  Verse of the Day “They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.” — Psalm 92:14   I am now in my later years, and I see life a little differently. I still carry many memories—growing up on a small farm, working hard with my hands, and loving anything with wheels. Life kept moving, and so did I.   But what I see most clearly now is not just the motion, but the meaning. There were seasons of deep challenge. I went through a painful divorce. I lost trust in the church after being judged and after someone harmed my family. For a long time, I stayed away. Then came health struggles—two strokes at once. I lost strength on my left side and had to learn, slowly, how to move again.   But I did not stop. Step by step, I kept going. With therapy, determination, and grace, I found my footing again. I still walk with a limp, but I walk. And I am grateful.   In time, I also found my way back to faith. In a new church, I experienced warmth, joy, and w...

Verse of the Day “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” - Proverbs 3:5–6   I was born into a hardworking family. From an early age, I learned integrity, diligence, and perseverance. I believed life was simple: work hard, make a living, and everything would be fine. But over time, I realized something was missing. Life is more than work and possessions—it is about relationships, faith, and purpose.   In 1966, I met Cynthia. By 1968, we were married. Looking back, I see that our marriage has been strong because we kept God at the center. We don’t always agree, but we learned not to go to bed angry. We keep working at love.   For years, my life revolved around family and work. I was active in church, but something still felt incomplete. Then, in February 1975, at a “Weekend to Remember” in Madawaska, everything changed. I felt out of place at first. But one night, t...

  Verse of the Day “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)   I remember my first steps into the world—walking to school as a kindergartener, holding my mother’s hand on a crisp autumn morning. I felt both wonder and fear. Life stretched wide before me.   As the years passed, I came to see how fragile life can be. I still remember the day President John F. Kennedy was shot. I was in a department store when I heard the news. I ran through the store, crying out in disbelief. Watching it later on television, I wept. It was a moment that marked me—a reminder that life is precious.   I grew up during the Cold War, a time of uncertainty and quiet fear. We practiced drills in school, not fully understanding, yet deeply aware that the world was not always safe. Still, life moved forward. There was love, family, and joy even in uncertain times.   One of the greatest blessings of my life was traveling to Israel. Wal...

Verse of the Day “As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so continue to live your lives in him .” — Colossians 2:6 New day. New beginning. New hope. That is my story. I was born and raised in Massachusetts. On the outside, life looked fine. Inside our home, it was very different. My father was strict. Fear filled the house. By age six, I had my first drink. By twelve, I was using drugs. By fourteen, I was in a gang. I was not living—I was escaping. In school, I learned prayers, but I did not know God. I stole, lied, and numbed my pain. Later, I joined the Air Force, hoping for a new start. But addiction followed me. Rehab, relapse, and brokenness became my pattern. Somehow, I stayed sober for many years—but without God at the center. Then loss came. My mother passed. I relapsed. I married late in life, but addiction took everything from us. My husband died suddenly. I was crushed, angry at God, and ready to give up. Years later, I came to Maine. I was alone, staying in a motel, holding...

Verse of the Day “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)   I was blessed with a happy childhood. My family was close, full of love, laughter, and time together. My grandmother, especially, shaped my life. She always reminded us, “If you can’t say something good, don’t say anything at all.” She showed me how to look for the good in others—and that stayed with me.   My faith began when I was eleven, going to the altar at a Baptist church. Years later, I was baptized as an adult, outdoors near the mountains—a moment I still hold close.   Life, though, was not always easy. I married young, at sixteen, and that marriage lasted 26 years. It was difficult, and divorce was one of the hardest decisions I ever made. I carried guilt for a long time. But over time, I came to believe that God gives second chances—and He gave me one.   Meeting Andy changed everything. We built a life rooted in faith, h...

Verse of the Day “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy.” (Psalm 126:5)   I was born a twin, and from the beginning, I never felt alone. My sister Nancy was my mirror, my companion, my joy. We grew up in a simple home, surrounded by love, laughter, and hard work. But life changed when my parents separated. We moved, and suddenly doors closed to us. We were not welcome anymore. As a child, I did not understand prejudice, only the pain of it.   My mother carried us through. She worked two jobs, every day, so we would be cared for. She taught us to tell the truth and to live with integrity. We did not have much, but we had enough.   Faith was there, even when it was complicated. My mother was kept from full participation in the church, yet she made sure we knew God. I stayed close to faith, even through hurt and disappointment.   Dancing became my joy. It made me feel alive. And through dancing, I met Lenny, who has walked beside me for many years with l...

  Verse of the Day “Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.” (Isaiah 26:4)   When I look back on my life, my first memory is church—walking hand in hand with my grandfather. He was strong, faithful, and deeply loved. Losing him when I was eleven was my first deep sorrow, and I still feel it.   My mother was the steady guide of our faith. Every Sunday, she brought us to church. She used to say, “No one is perfect but Jesus. Just try your best to live by the Ten Commandments.” That stayed with me.   Life brought more losses. Losing my younger brother was one of the hardest. Even now, every Sunday in church, I miss him.   Church was always central in my life—from youth group days to years of serving, leading, and caring for others. I tried to be active, to show up, to help where I could. Simple things—visiting, praying, listening—meant a lot.   At thirty-four, I was diagnosed with an eye disease. My vision slowly narrowe...

Verse of the Day “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9) I was born in Connecticut, but my life truly began when my mother brought us back to Hodgdon while my father was away in the Army. That decision shaped everything. I grew up outdoors, surrounded by family, neighbors, and a strong sense of community.   Faith came early through a strict aunt and a gentle grandmother. One taught me discipline; the other showed me love. Both helped plant seeds that would grow over time.   In high school, I met Gerald. I did not care much for him at first, but he was steady. After a serious car accident, he came to the hospital with flowers. He showed up—and he stayed. We were married nearly 62 years. We built our life on trust, conversation, and shared decisions.   I worked in a nursing home for 46 years. At first, I struggled with death. Then one day, I sat with a woman who had no family as she passed. ...

Verse of the Day “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28   I was born in Danforth, Maine. When I look back over my life, I see pain and hardship, but I also see the faithfulness of God. My story has not been easy, but it shows how God carried me through every season.   When I was only eight months old, my stepfather threw me down a flight of stairs. That fall left lasting damage on my right side, and it took me sixteen years to learn how to tie my own shoes. My stepfather was an alcoholic, and our home was filled with anger, cruelty, and abuse. My mother had twelve children, though one died at birth, so eleven of us grew up together in a very difficult home.   In the middle of those painful years, God gave me a gift—my grandparents. They loved me and gave me a safe place when life at home felt frightening. Their care helped me make it through childhood.   As I grew older, I carried deep pain inside me. But one day, ...

Verse of the Day “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7   I was born in 1938 and grew up in Littleton, Maine. Life was simple then. We didn’t have much, but we had family, and that meant a lot.   My father worked long hours on a farm for his cousin. We didn’t see him much during the week, mostly on Saturdays and Sundays. My mother was the one who held everything together. She had a lot of spirit. I always say she was a little crazy—in the good way, like me. She was the glue that kept our family connected.   Church was a regular part of life. We went every Sunday morning and evening. During summer Bible school, when I was around seventh or eighth grade, something important happened. I remember reading a book there and realizing th...

Verse of the Day “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me.” - Psalm 23:4   My name is Nina, and when I look back on my life, I can truly say it has been a good life—full of love, hard work, and the grace of God woven through it all.   I grew up in a farming family. My father raised potatoes, and we had cattle and pigs. There were five of us children—three brothers, my sister, and me. We worked hard, picking potatoes and hauling water, but we had fun too. I remember sledding on crusted snow in winter and visiting my mother’s family in Masardis, where they had sheep and a big friendly dog named Strongheart.   Our school was a small one-room schoolhouse with a stove in the middle. We brought soup in jars and warmed it on the stove for lunch. Later I moved to a bigger school in Easton, where I met John. He was a senior and I was a freshman. After school he went to college, and when he joined the service and was stationed in Georgia, ...

Verse of the Day “Be kind and compassionate to one another , forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”  – Ephesians 4:32   Faith has been the steady foundation of my life. It has guided me through joys and sorrows, shaped my character, and sustained me through many challenges. Looking back, I can see God’s hand present in every chapter of my life.   I grew up in a Christian home where church was simply part of life. Our weeks were shaped by Sunday School, worship, and Methodist Youth Fellowship. As a family we often sang hymns and read Scripture together. From those early years, I learned to trust that God had a plan and that He was always with me.   My faith deepened when life became difficult. One of the hardest moments came when my sister died in a tragic accident. I was supposed to be in the car with her that weekend, but at the last moment she encouraged me to visit relatives instead. That decision saved my life. Losing her was devastating. I wre...

Verse of the Day “Be still, and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10 I was born in Presque Isle, Maine, and I have lived my whole life in the same house in Blaine. I am only nineteen, but roots make life feel older. When you grow up in one place—with the same roads, the same winters, and the same people—you begin to see how time shapes you.   My childhood was steady and simple. My parents encouraged my siblings and me to try different things. I explored drawing, karate, sports, and other interests. Some of my clearest memories are snowmobiling with my father. Winter after winter we rode the trails together—the sound of the engine, the cold air on my face, and the quiet sense that we were moving forward side by side.   Faith was present early in my life. My family attended Pentecostal churches, though not always consistently. My grandmother, who had once been Methodist, gave me my first Bible. As I grew older, questions came. I wrestled with doubt and even anger at times. I did n...

Verse of the Day  "For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls". – 1 Peter 2:25   I was four years old when I died.   It sounds dramatic, but it is true. My appendix ruptured, and without penicillin I would not be here. For a few minutes, I crossed over. I remember the welcome, the warmth, and the sky filled with color like a sunset. Ever since then, sunsets have drawn my heart. Later in life, I realized what had happened—I had been to the other side. And somehow, I came back. God let me come back.   From that day on, I never doubted heaven. Even as a child in Sunday school, when the teacher spoke about eternity, I did not need convincing. I already knew. That quiet certainty stayed with me through all the changing seasons of life.   I was born in Massachusetts, but Maine became my home. My father quietly helped many people. Only after he passed did we learn how generous he had been. His life taught me tha...

Verse of the Day “ The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23   I was born in 1940 in Patten, Maine, and by God’s grace I have lived a full life. Faith began early for me. My mother made sure we went to Sunday School starting at age five. Every Sunday we were at the United Methodist Church in Patten. When I was sixteen, I was already teaching a third-grade Sunday School class—twelve boys and one girl in a tiny entryway classroom! Our pastor, Herman Grant, once told me, “Maybe there’s something more they need than just the books of the Bible.” I never forgot that.   After high school I studied Medical Technology at the University of Maine. Those were difficult years. I worked hard in school, and Bill—who later became my husband—encouraged me to finish. I graduated in 1963 and began working at the new hospital in Presque Isle.   Life brough...

Verse of the Day “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord.” -   Psalm 27:14 I was born in Mars Hill, Maine, and many of my earliest memories are rooted here. When I was about four or five, during World War II, my family moved to Connecticut while my father worked at Pratt & Whitney building aircraft for the war effort. I remember walking to kindergarten every day. It felt like a long journey to a little girl. Not long after, we moved back to Mars Hill. Our house had no running water. Bath night came once a week in a big galvanized tub. Life was simple, but it was good. Later my father bought a farm on the Presque Isle Road. For a time we grew potatoes, and later he raised turkeys. Around Thanksgiving and Christmas we delivered turkeys to people who had ordered them. Once I got my driver’s license, that job became mine. After high school I began nursing school, but life took a turn when I married my husband, Everett. His father bought us ...

Verse of the Day “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” - John 15:5   I was born in South Korea into a Methodist pastor’s family. Even before I was born, my mother prayed like Hannah in the Bible. She vowed that if God gave her a son, she would dedicate him to the Lord. Yet my parents never pressured me into ministry. Instead, they quietly showed me what a life devoted to God looked like. As a child, I was often sick, but I also experienced healing. Those moments drew me closer to God. At age twelve, during a youth retreat where my grandfather preached, I responded to the gospel for the first time and desired to follow Jesus. Years later, while serving in the military with the UN Peacekeeping Forces in East Timor, I faced a spiritual wilderness. There were no churches, no mentors, and temptation surrounded us. God prompted me to start a Christian fellowship, but I ran from the ...

Verse of the Day “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” — Psalm 23:1   I was born and raised on Ben Hill on a large farm with cows and nearly a thousand chickens. I was the only girl among four brothers. Life was busy with chores, but it was simple and good. Sundays were always special. After church, we would visit relatives and often stay for supper. That rhythm of farm work, family, and church shaped my life.   Church has always been part of my journey. I was baptized at Hodgdon United Methodist Church and stayed connected there for more than 80 years. In the early days we did not even have a church hall—just an old army barracks behind the church. We had Halloween parties with apples hanging from the ceiling and donuts on strings. We did not buy costumes. We used what we had. The church was full of laughter, love, and community.   When I was 34, my husband died suddenly. One day he left home, and he never came back. I became a widow with four young children. It ...

Verse of the Day “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” – Romans 5:3-5   I grew up on a farm. When I look back, I remember the simple rhythm of life—the early mornings, the smell of the earth, and the quiet satisfaction of a hard day’s work. The farm shaped me. It taught me responsibility, patience, and gratitude. I learned that growth takes time. You plant, you wait, you trust. Those lessons carried me through many seasons. Working side by side with my family taught me that we belong to one another. We depend on each other, just as we depend on the seasons. Even as the world changed, those values stayed steady. My greatest joy has been my children. Nothing compares to watching them grow. My proudest mo...

Verse of the Day “Because I live, you also will live.” – John 14:19 I was born and raised on a farm in Houlton. We did not have much, but we had each other. My parents taught us honesty, perseverance, and kindness. We worked hard. We learned responsibility early. Looking back, I see how those simple years were shaping my heart. I remember listening to the radio during World War II. The broadcaster would begin, “There is sad news tonight.” We covered car headlights because of the war. We had no electricity at first. No indoor plumbing until I was in third grade. We cooked on a wood stove. Life was simple, but it built strength in us. Faith was planted early. On Sundays, Mamma gathered us in the front room. We read Scripture and sang hymns while she played the piano. Later, during a very hard season in my life, I truly turned to God. That was a defining moment. My faith became personal. Meeting Jim was another turning point. We married in 1959 and shared 51 faithful years together. I ca...

Verse of the Day "Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the LORD has helped us.’" – 1 Samuel 7:12 My journey of faith began very early. As a child, my kindergarten and my church were in the same place. Faith was not separate from life. It was part of my daily world. I watched my father serve as a deacon, working quietly and faithfully. From him, I learned what it means to follow Jesus. My faith has deep roots. My maternal grandfather became a pastor through the witness of American missionaries during the Qing Dynasty. From my grandfather to my son, we are now four generations of believers. Their prayers and example shaped my life. One of the hardest seasons came during the Cultural Revolution. Churches were closed. We could not gather publicly. So we worshiped quietly in our homes. Our faith became personal and real. We learned that the church is not a building, but God’s people. After that difficult time, a j...