Yesterday, Pastor Charles and I had the priviledge of meeting one of the members of Sidney's First United Methodist Church: Ms. Helen Hiner, who claims she is 98, but I find that very difficult to believe!Here is the picture she allowed me to take. She is sitting in her living room, amidst all her family treasures. She is a beautiful lady, inside and out. God's light really does shine in her.
Behind her, you can see one of her many paintings that she, herself, painted. What an amazing artist she is! The detail in her paintings... and her choice of colors... all I can say is "wow!"
It was so easy to talk with her. She is very knowledgeable about a host of topics. In particular, I was facinated with her recounting the days when her family just moved to the Sidney area. Her husband was responsible for helping to get the Sioux Ordinance Depot up and running, in preparation of the arrival of the rest of the folks assigned to it.
"With the outbreak of World War II, a military presence once again took a stronghold in the community with the construction and operation of the Sioux Ordinance Depot being established 10 miles northwest of Sidney. This resulted in great influx of people to Sidney and Cheyenne County and the local economy once again was busting at the seams." This information if from a great website, which talks about some of Sidney's history:
http://www.cityofsidney.org/index_files/Page306.html.
Several times throughout our visit, she proudly proclaimed "I'm a Methodist!" Each time she said this, she has such a lovely smile on her face. She really had a glow about her!
Ms. Helen is one interesting lady! We have so much to learn from our living historians and faithful followers of Jesus Christ.
I feel that we were really blessed by the time we spent with her. Praise God for such inspirational people who treasure life and who are willing to testify about the many ways God's love, mercy and grace touches their lives, each and every day!
Every blessing,
Belinda Alkula
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