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401 E. Piankishaw, Paola, KS 66071 Phone: 913.294.3476 Fax: 913.294.0074
"I had thought being a “Christian” was going to be easy, but I found out that following Christ in everything you do is not easy."
a woman who has been in the church her whole life but keeps discovering new things and has a passion for bringing others to Christ.
Iris' Story
I guess you could say I’m a “lifer”. Other than 2 years of college and 2 years living in Colorado Springs, I have lived in Paola and have been a part of First Lutheran Church my whole life. All of the major events of my life have been commemorated at First Lutheran - baptisms, confirmation, wedding and funerals. I attended First Lutheran School for 8 years and then went to a Lutheran Junior College after I graduated.
Some of the blessings of being raised in a traditional church is the history, memories, and knowledge that is gained by just “being there” week after week. A disadvantage is that it’s easy to become complacent and not appreciate the grace poured out every day. Like the Publican - only when we feel the weight of our sins, can we can truly appreciate the meaning of grace.
During the two years I was at college, I experienced not only wonderful fellowship with other young Christians, but I also faced temptations that I was not prepared for. I had thought being a “Christian” was going to be easy, but I found out that following Christ in everything you do is not easy - I know that I had been self-righteous in my opinions of others and was completely humbled. I would not have survived those years and the next few without the love of faithful family and friends and the assurance of forgiveness and grace.
We lived inColorado Springs for a couple of years after Josh was born, moved back to Paola after Hal was transferred to Germany and have been here ever since. Hal returned from Germany and found employment in this area. I am so thankful for that opportunity to spend time with my mother and for her to have been such a dedicated, Christian force in Josh’s life because we lost her in 1984 - when I was 26 years old. A few days short of a year after her death, our daughter Jesica was born. Although Hal and I had talked about having another child, Jesica was not planned by us - she was planned by God. After getting over the overwhelming grief that Jesica would never know my mother, we all began looking forward to her birth. Jess brought that “life” back into the family that is so natural for a baby. It didn’t take long to realize that Jess was a unique individual. Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing her, usually remembered her. She was so different from her brother, but adored him. Even though she was frustrating at times, some of those very traits are what we remember the most.
Life was fairly normal with the same struggles many people have - busy schedules, kids grades, job stresses, etc., until an evening in the summer of 2003 when two officers came to our house to inform us that our daughter had been killed in a car accident. Sometimes it feels like it’s been a lifetime since her death, but as I write this, the pain is as real as it was that night. I don’t know how someone survives this type of pain without the assurance of eternal life and being able to believe that we will see our Jess again. We went through the motions like everyone else does in this type of a situation, but a few days after Jesica’s funeral, I began to have this overwhelming feeling of guilt and doubt about the certainty of Jesica’s salvation and whether I had done enough as her parent to train her in the way she should go. To make a long story short - through family, some close Christian friends, and a miraculous revelation, God restored that peace and assurance that Jess is in the presence of her Lord.
One thing I believe I have been left with is the passion to help First Lutheran be a church that preaches the message of salvation - by grace through faith - with an atmosphere that is welcoming to “old” members as well as visitors. I want First Lutheran to be a place where children are welcomed and encouraged to participate - I don’t want anyone to go through the agony of guilt wondering if they were responsible to bring the message of salvation to their child, a friend, neighbor, or even a stranger. That’s what our mission is all about. I pray that God will give us all the strength, faith, and trust in His promises so we can share that message.
In Christ, Iris Simons
"All of the major events of my life have been commemorated at First Lutheran - baptisms, confirmation, wedding and funerals."
