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"For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard." Acts 22:15

Our Testimony page is a collection of stories or personal experiences shared by members & friends of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church and Prayer Chain. These individuals are voluntarily and graciously sharing their experiences. We hope you may identify with some of these stories and find encouragement and inspiration.

Polly's Testimony for her Beloved Husband, Rev. Charles Gregory

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8: 35-39 NIV

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’ve tried to find a word like “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” that means “Thank You”, but couldn’t find one, so just a small “thank you” will have to do.

Sunday, July 8, 2007 Charles stood here and said, “I am the sickest I have ever been in my life. I have stomach cancer and am beginning a journey. I’m asking you to walk this journey with me and I need your prayers and support. We'll keep you posted on what’s happening and where we are on this journey. But please pray for God’s will to be done.”

After he sat down, and as Pastor David made some comments about Charles’ testimony, I glanced over at Charles and I was told, “You’re losing him”. I immediately answered, “Not without a fight!” Now I know we shouldn’t argue with God, but He has known me these 71 years and He knew what I was going to say. He expected it from me. I told no one about this. I did tell Pastor David when Charles was in the hospital New Year’s week. And I told Charles about it when Hospice came in.

After Charles’ testimony here the roller coaster ride started. And I do not like roller coasters - they make me barf! Up with the good news and down with the bad news - the extreme loss of weight, the pneumonia twice, the MRSA staph infection twice, feeding ports in and out. Your prayers, support, calls and cards were tremendous! I have saved every card - hundreds of them! I’ve read and re-read them.

During that time he had 25 radiation treatments and managed fairly well. The tumor was shrunken, he could eat on his own and the feeding port came out. However - the stomach cancer had spread to the lungs. The stomach tumor could be maintained with treatments, not curable or operable. The lung tumors could be eliminated with chemo treatments. He had 5 of those, but was unable to take the 6^th one. He had pneumonia again. This put him in the hospital New Year’s Eve day and we learned he now had blood clots in one lung.

During all this time we were learning how much we are loved. And that’s something I can’t stress enough. Let people know you love them before it’s too late. It’s far better to hear it while they can see and hear you, and respond to that love. Let them go in peace knowing they are loved by you. We had so many express their love in so many ways.

All during those seven months we talked about the future. He made plans for his memorial services. David was told what to do. Charles had no fear of what lay ahead, only concern for me and my being alone. He knew where he was going.

The youth came before Christmas to sing for us. What a joy!! We had been unable to attend church to hear and see the Christmas joys. Then they came again in January, after he was under the care of Hospice. They had the opportunity to see the change in his body. More importantly, they had the opportunity to hear him. He told them he knew he was dying and had no fear of it, and to not cry for him. They might cry for themselves, but not him. They should make sure they had their lives right, make the right choices in their lives and know there were consequences for bad choices.

All this time I tried to keep my chin up, but will admit I had to go around the corner a few times to have a “pity party”. Still do! Yet I knew Charles was in the best of hands - God’s! All I could do was dote on him and love him as I had for over 52 years. God was in control of everything else. We did not question anything that was happening to us. No need to. We knew we had done our best to follow God’s direction for our lives. This was not a punishment. We felt He was still using us for His purposes. And He still is!

When Charles crossed over that Saturday night, January 26, 2008, I was on the bed with him. I felt his life leave him from his feet to the top of his head. As his life left him, I felt a veil come over me from the top of my head to my feet. It was that “peace that passes all understanding.” We’ve heard it mentioned in sermons and in prayers. When it does come, you know it, you feel it! And a blessed peace it was. I had a strength I would never have believed I could have.

Final plans and arrangements were made. Lilly, our oldest great-granddaughter, wrote Grandpa a letter. She wrote about things they had done and things they talked about doing, but didn’t get to do. She wanted the letter to go with Grandpa. I asked if she’d like it read and she said “no”. Then a couple of days later she let me read it - after rewriting it because it had too many tears on it. And she wanted to read it at his services. She did and the original letter went with Grandpa.

The Thursday memorial service was at Haygood United Methodist Church in Va. Beach, our church home for 45 years. I’m told there were over 400 there. Charles would never have believed so many would honor him that way. The second service was here at Mt. Zion UMC and another full church. The family was honored by the presence of all. Following the service and reception the family and I went home exhausted. After changing clothes, I dropped into Charles’ chair and looked out the front door. It suddenly was getting darker and darker. I told the family "It's over. It's finished now."

Then the storm hit!! It was dark as night. The wind blew so hard - I didn't know pine trees could bend so far and stand back up!!! The thunder and lightening cracked and popped. The rain poured down sideways. All I could think about was how my life now seemed just like that. All blown to smithereens! And how God must have felt that terrible Friday when His Son died on that cross.

Then it started to ease up and got lighter outside. I noticed the neighbor’s house across the street getting light and brighter. I told Bob and Tom, our sons, to look outside at Christine’s house. It was turning gold! They went to the door and told me to get there quick. There in the middle of the door was the boldest rainbow I have ever seen. It was the rainbow of rainbows!!! It was the widest I have ever seen!!! In all the travels Charles and I have taken we’ve often taken pictures of rainbows. Last summer we both remarked how we’d not seen a rainbow since living in Grandy.

Well!! Here was the rainbow of rainbows! The brightest in color and most distinction between colors of any other! I told all of them this was my rainbow from Dad. If you’d driven by the house about that time you’d have thought we were a bunch of nuts who’d never seen a rainbow before. We were all hugging, crying, taking pictures.

I knew it was Charles saying, “Here’s your Grandy rainbow, honey. It’s the grandest ever. For 7 months we’ve weathered the storm, just as you did the one that just happened. Now it’s over. This is my resurrection and only a piece of God’s glory for you and everyone else to see. What I’m seeing is far beyond the beauty of this.” I told the family that this was Dad’s resurrection! He’s alive and having a great time, he‘s well, he’s whole, and no more cancer.

That Sunday, Pastor David mentioned the rainbow when he was speaking of God’s glory all around us. But, maybe selfishly, I knew that was MY rainbow from Charles and we shared it with all who could and would see it. Once again, that peace that passes all understanding came over me and I knew all will be right with us. It will take some time, but I know I’ll make it. I still have my “pity parties” occasionally.

When Charles crossed over, I jumped into God’s arms and asked him to carry me for a while. I was drained! God is still carrying me. There is only one set of footprints in the sand for now. I’m not ready for Him to put me down on my own two feet just yet. One of these days I will, but not just yet.

God took us to it - and He took us through it. His love and mercy are right there for the asking and taking. We asked and we took! All of you can step up and step out into that love. It’s the best way to travel each and every day. Amen

Point to Ponder: God's peace truly passes all understanding and believing.

Shared Polly Gregory at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 2008

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 NIV

When Pastor David asked me to give my testimonial, I thought about it all week. I thought of all the things that had happened to me in my life. I began life unwanted, unloved and not only given away but given to a family that thought I was a punching bag.

I thought of the time in 1979 when I died in a car wreck but was revived - and all the surgeries it took so I could walk again. I thought of the death of my son. I thought of the death of my husband. Then I began to see death and despair were not what my testimonial should be about. It should be about life.

When God made me, he gave me joy and he gave me laughter. I have heard it said many times that God never puts on any of us more than he knows we can stand. When I have gone through my personal crisis, I always questioned this statement. Then I not only discovered that I have survived the crisis but I have come out on the other side stronger and better able to face what is coming tomorrow.

I recently buried my only brother, my only sibling. Bobby and I were separated when I was six and we did not get back totally together until after I married my husband. Burying Bobby was very hard for me to do. This was not only hard because he had died but because he and his family had no church family to help them. It was hard seeing his people spin in the wind. They didn’t have the fellowship and support I have had as I dealt with my crises.

The one constancy I have had in my life was the church. It was there for me when I was very young. It loved me when no one else cared. I always knew no matter what happened to me, the church was my rock, my foundation. This was in God’s plan.

My brother went with my father when my parents separated. I was given away. While my foster parents were not nice people, they did make the church a part of my upbringing. This was in God’s plan.

For whatever reason, my brother grew up with no church. Since our father was a preacher’s son, having no church background was hard to understand for me. But this too was in God’s plan. Now my brother’s family was left alone. They had no fellowship, they had no support until our church helped. If it had not been for Mt. Zion they would have had nothing.

God sent his only son to suffer and die for us. He did this so we could have fellowship, support and love for each other. I think back on my life and I am sure God has a plan for each and every one of us. I thank God every day for bringing me to the wonderful people at Mt. Zion and giving me a true belief in Him.

Anytime things get too hard to carry alone I remember God is the one in control, not me. He never sleeps and is always there. He will always give me an answer, maybe not what I thought I wanted, but what I needed. He asks only one thing from us and that is for us to give him our all.

Ava Elizabeth's Story

"Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain,
but your pain will turn into joy." John 16:20

The doctors had told my daughter, Becky, and son-in-law, Will, that their unborn baby would never live. We were all devastated. Before being told this incredibly sad news, they were such excited parents, anxiously awaiting the birth of their first child.

When Becky went into labor six weeks early, we rushed her to the hospital. Our pastor drove the 60 miles from his home to be with us and say a prayer just before Becky was wheeled into surgery for an emergency c-section.

Not long after the doctors began the operation, we were called to the nurses' station and met by a nurse who very excitedly told us the baby was a girl. She said the baby was having difficulty breathing, which shocked us all. This young child was, according to the doctors, never supposed to live at all.

Sitting in the waiting room of the children's hospital, Becky and Will decided on a name for their child: Ava Elizabeth. "What a beautiful name," I said.

For the next 15 hours, we saw Ava Elizabeth as much as we could. Our pastor performed a touching Baptism ceremony. We all could feel the power and presence of God.

At 3:45 p.m. in the afternoon, Ava Elizabeth quietly died in the arms of her mother, my precious daughter. I have never felt so sad in my life, yet blessed that God had given us -- if only for a brief time -- a beautiful gift.

Ava Elizabeth's funeral was held on a Saturday morning at our church. It was a private service, with only nine of us attending. Following the burial, Becky's closest friend, Ginny, announced to us that she had a story to tell. You see, Ginny's sister, Kelly, had called her just before the service and said that morning she had been sitting with a woman in Asheboro, North Carolina, over 250 miles from our home. The woman, Kelly explained, was in her last hours of life.

Kelly's job working with hospice has her often tending to those who are about to pass away, but on this day, something amazing would happen. According to Kelly, this woman kept saying over and over, "I see angels. I see angels." Then she said the name, "Ava Elizabeth." Kelly asked the woman's daughter if her mother knew someone named Ava Elizabeth, and the woman said, "No, she does not."

Upon Ginny telling us this story, I leaned over and softly kissed my daughter on her forehead. I whispered, "Becky, God just sent you a message that your baby is an angel in heaven."

Point to Ponder: THANKS BE TO GOD!

Do You Believe In Miracles?

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord who made heaven and earth.

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved; he that keepeth thee will not slumber." Psalm 121:1-4

It seems to me that people in general have become skeptical about miracles happening today. However, if it weren't for God's miracles, I would not be alive to share this message to you.

I know for certain God has saved my life:

The first time I had a brain aneurysm which "should" have burst at least a month before the surgery. I saw the doctor many years later. He said he still didn't know why that aneurysm had not burst. Evidently, God still had something for me to do. That was the conclusion of everyone...including me. There was no other reason which made any sense.

The second time, I was in Peru`, S. A. for vacation and ended up teaching English and working in six different churches for two years. It was a remarkable period in my life.

As a very little girl, I had told my mom that I wanted to be a nun. The people next door were Catholics, and two of my friend John's sisters were Sisters. Mom very kindly told me that the Methodist Church does not have nuns. I told her that I would be the first one. When I was a bit older, I met a missionary. And I decided that was what I wanted to do, but I didn't tell anyone. There are only about three people who knew that before now. When I went to Peru,` my visa said "visitor." When I left, it said "missionary teacher!" What a glorious time I had!! And I didn't speak Spanish.

Despite having taking the proper shots before leaving for Peru`, I became ill with typhoid para-typhoid fever after having taught for only a couple of months. One wonderful day, I found myself on the ceiling looking down at myself on the bed with people scurrying all over the place to help me. I knew I was at a turning point in my life. Amazingly, it was a wonderfully comfortable and comforting place to be. God was right at my side. He was just there. I was a happy soul with Him and regretted having to go back into my body below, but I knew that is what I was meant to do.

These examples happened early in my life. I feel that God has a plan for my life. My grandfather was a Methodist minister who served at a church here in Wabash. He was a man of great faith who encouraged me in mine. My grandfather died many years ago, but in my mind he was a PASTOR. He cared for his flock in a very real sense. And he visited and visited and visited his parishioners. They knew he was there for them. I could not have selected a better model for myself if I had tried.

All of this gibberish is just to say to you all that I do believe in miracles. I have experienced them in my life and have seen them in other people's lives...and if you look carefully at your own life, you will probably discover that miracles have happened in yours as well.

Point to Ponder: I remind myself that faith the size of a mustard grain is enough.

Shared by Carol Berg of the First United Methodist Church in Wabash, Indiana, 2005

“… those who having heard the Word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.” Luke 8:15

My mother passed away early on a Sunday morning. She had taken sick the Friday before with double pneumonia, septic shock, a severe kidney infection, and diabetes. Because of the infection the diabetes went out of control and the doctor's weren't able to get it down. She was kept comfortable on a morphine drip until her death.

Many people don’t know that my mother didn't raise me or have much to do with me until she was 80 years old. It was then that her life began to change. She was in the early stages of Alzheimer’s and desperate. She had to get rid of her most precious belongings and move to an assisted living facility in Virginia Beach. Money and material things were my mother's world until then. I was shocked that she'd give up these things for security in her old age. When she had nobody else to turn to, she slowly began to let my brother and me back into her life.

After a few years, she had to be moved to an Alzheimer’s Unit in a facility in Elizabeth City. There she remained for the next two years until finally having to be moved to a nursing home at Barco. During this time we visited and we prayed. And a special blessing came. It was during her “good days” that she learned to love Jesus, my brother, and me. It happened gradually for all of us, the recognition of love.

It has been such a wonderful gift from God to have the loving mother we craved all of our lives. She also knew how much we loved her. She went out of this world with forgiveness, surrounded by love. God has been so good to us. I can never thank him enough for the opportunity to know and love my mother. We praise His holy name each day!

Point to Ponder: In the light of God’s love, we can find beauty in those once rejected and scorned. Praise God!

The velvety grape filled my mouth with its warm sweetness, as I searched for the next plump one among the vineyard leaves. Amazing how a small grape can seem to capture the sunshine and all that’s good in nature. As I seek them, I imagine Jesus walking among ancient vineyards, searching for the grapes that are ready. And thinking of the parables He would one day tell to illustrate God’s grace.

During North Carolina’s harsh winters, the vines look tangled and dead. But this dormant period is necessary for a ripe harvest the following year. In spring, just before new leaves burst forth, strong hands must prune the vines, or the grapes will not bear to their full potential. And I think of our own lives.

As we live we go through harsh times where we are reformed, physically and spiritually. Times that shape our lives and personalities, that give us pause and teach us empathy. Times when we focus on God, and in those desperate moments, we come to the realization that He is all we have and need. He will hold and comfort us as we find a way to go on.

And by grace, we enjoy the times in His glory, filled with the sweetness of His love. Times when we can fulfill our purpose for His kingdom. And be given the opportunity to share His amazing grace with others, so they can too, can become more than they could be if left alone, and become all they can be in Christ.

Point to Ponder: By the presence within of the Holy Spirit, may our trials strengthen us on our faith journeys and help us to encourage others.