Betsy Pangallo |
MentorI grew up in a God-believing home, where we prayed and attended church every Sunday. My mother was my Sunday school teacher and I learned a lot of Bible stories. The one thing missing was hearing about the relationship I could have with Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. While dating my now husband, Marco, of 46 years, we both asked Jesus to be Lord of our lives in 1972. We were married three years later. I finished my degree in Early Childhood Education in 1976 after we were married. I soon realized that teaching in private preschools wasnʼt going to provide the income we needed, so I sold Tupperware! I have always loved interacting with people and this was a great outlet for that to happen.
|
At the same time I got involved with various Bible studies under the mentorship of the “older and wiser ladies of the church.” Now thatʼs me; It's my turn. This ministry offers the opportunity to pass on to others what was given to me in my young faith, as a young wife and a young mom.
Probably my greatest mentor and best friend was my sister Nancy. She was responsible for introducing me to a personal relationship with Jesus. Four years older and also with sons we were able to encourage each other. She taught me a lot about mentoring others as that was her gift - after all, she mentored me. The hardest thing in my life was losing her 3 1/2 years ago to dementia with Lewy Bodies. God has blessed me with other ‘sistersʼ in Christ, but I miss her dearly.
We went on to have three beautiful sons who are grown now. We moved from Cincinnati, Ohio to Spring Hill, TN after retirement in 2012 to be near two of our three sons and their families (5 grandchildren). While in Cincinnati, I had various jobs including Parent Educator to court ordered parents, I worked in market research at Proctor and Gamble for many years and then I worked in our local school district for over 15 years. I have been a short term and long term sub, Instructional aid, and assistant librarian. I loved all my various careers because each has allowed me to interact one-on-one or in small groups. I believe some of my gifts are in listening, encouraging, and loving the lovable and unlovable. My most important careers however, were as a wife and the raising of our three boys through their various ages and stages. My jobs had to fit around their schedules, which we made work. During their early years I participated and facilitated neighborhood Bible studies. I also was part of a Moms In Touch Group, where we prayed weekly for our children, their teachers, and the leaders of our local school district.
Bible studies, small groups, and attending church have been consistent throughout our marriage. These relationships have encouraged us, held us up in time of need, prayed for us, and together we grew together in our Christian walk. We still find that vital today. Even when churches werenʼt open, we continued to meet with a small group of believers in each other's homes, which still continues today.
One of our greatest ministries as a family was having an open door policy. We have invited into our home a single mom with twins, a young man who wanted to stay in the area to finish high school, a couple with a toddler who were displaced after the flood in Houston Texas, and a young teacher. Each stayed various lengths of time, but when God said open the door, we did. There were many trials during these times, but we never doubted that God called us to be part of the lives of these individuals.
I was excited when a friend introduced me to the TRINICY Ministry. Merzamieʼs prayer/request was read to a special group of women Iʼm involved in order to find more mentors. This was a definite ‘Yes” for me. Iʼm looking forward to the women God puts in my path so I can be the light those mentors were for me so long ago.
Probably my greatest mentor and best friend was my sister Nancy. She was responsible for introducing me to a personal relationship with Jesus. Four years older and also with sons we were able to encourage each other. She taught me a lot about mentoring others as that was her gift - after all, she mentored me. The hardest thing in my life was losing her 3 1/2 years ago to dementia with Lewy Bodies. God has blessed me with other ‘sistersʼ in Christ, but I miss her dearly.
We went on to have three beautiful sons who are grown now. We moved from Cincinnati, Ohio to Spring Hill, TN after retirement in 2012 to be near two of our three sons and their families (5 grandchildren). While in Cincinnati, I had various jobs including Parent Educator to court ordered parents, I worked in market research at Proctor and Gamble for many years and then I worked in our local school district for over 15 years. I have been a short term and long term sub, Instructional aid, and assistant librarian. I loved all my various careers because each has allowed me to interact one-on-one or in small groups. I believe some of my gifts are in listening, encouraging, and loving the lovable and unlovable. My most important careers however, were as a wife and the raising of our three boys through their various ages and stages. My jobs had to fit around their schedules, which we made work. During their early years I participated and facilitated neighborhood Bible studies. I also was part of a Moms In Touch Group, where we prayed weekly for our children, their teachers, and the leaders of our local school district.
Bible studies, small groups, and attending church have been consistent throughout our marriage. These relationships have encouraged us, held us up in time of need, prayed for us, and together we grew together in our Christian walk. We still find that vital today. Even when churches werenʼt open, we continued to meet with a small group of believers in each other's homes, which still continues today.
One of our greatest ministries as a family was having an open door policy. We have invited into our home a single mom with twins, a young man who wanted to stay in the area to finish high school, a couple with a toddler who were displaced after the flood in Houston Texas, and a young teacher. Each stayed various lengths of time, but when God said open the door, we did. There were many trials during these times, but we never doubted that God called us to be part of the lives of these individuals.
I was excited when a friend introduced me to the TRINICY Ministry. Merzamieʼs prayer/request was read to a special group of women Iʼm involved in order to find more mentors. This was a definite ‘Yes” for me. Iʼm looking forward to the women God puts in my path so I can be the light those mentors were for me so long ago.