Meet Sylvia

This month I'd like to share with you a few things about our newest member, Sylvia Cooper. We here at NTBC see her arriving at church in her wheelchair, wearing a smile and very excited about the teaching and preaching. If you sit anywhere around her you can hear her singing gustily and praising God. She loves coming to our church, but there is more to her story that we should know.

Sylvia was born in California where she lived and grew up with her mother and siblings. Each morning they would pray together. After that, they went their ways and pretty much were left to raise themselves. Sylvia's father was Spanish and her mother Mexican. She speaks Spanish fluently and has taught English as a Second Language (ESL) in two different schools.

   

Sylvia and Joseph met in a clinic where they were both patients. Their family is comprised of his, hers, and theirs. She and her first husband had four children who remain in California. Her present husband Joseph had three children (one each in ND, MN,and TX), and together they had a son, totaling eight children. They also have fifteen grandchildren.
 

While living in California, economic circumstances caused them to search for a different house. Praying, but finding nothing available in that area, it was suggested to them that perhaps God would want them to move to a different area.
 

Joseph's daughter, who had come to Grand Forks with the military, wanted them to move up here and found them the house in which they now live. The house, yard, and garden is everything that they'd asked the Lord for in a property, right down to the detail of wanting lots of trees. They live at rural Arvilla, ND in a comfortable home with a large backyard and MANY beautiful trees. It is a tranquil, lovely location where Joseph can tend a garden and many beautiful flowers and plants. Their house is tastefully decorated with antiques, collections, and family photos. Their backyard leads right into part of Turtle River State Park, a place they like to visit.
 

Upon moving here, they were able to see Joseph's seven grandchildren for the first time (!) because they live much closer to them now. Sylvia and Joseph LOVE this area because of the open spaces and beautiful landscape. She loves the snow, especially for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Their son David, named after King David in the Bible, came here with them. He lives and works in Grand Forks, and plans to begin studying at UND next year. She'd like to have us pray that he will draw closer to God.
 

All of her other relatives are still in California. Sylvia also has two good friends back in California whom she prays will be able to visit here.

Sylvia was saved at age 11. She's been through a lot of trials and changes, and some ups and downs since then. She loves the Lord, and wants that to show. They enjoy being active in the churches they have attended.
 

Joseph and Sylvia met Sam and Sharry Kennedy at a neighborhood get-together and Sam invited them to NTBC. Finding that they four were saved, they talked about our church, and decided to visit us. From the first time they came, they felt that this is the church that supplies everything they've been missing for years. Sylvia says, "This church fulfilled all of it, from the love and friendship that the people showed, to the solid preaching and teaching." This is what they have been looking for! They love the music too!

In June of 1999, Sylvia's life changed drastically. She suffered a major stroke due to a burst aneurysm. She was totally paralyzed on her entire right side. For the first three months, she needed to learn to talk, read, and write. Then began a two year rehabilitation. She gradually began to be able to talk and to read her Bible. Her husband was, and still is, a great help to her.

That stroke necessitated many adjustments for her. She used to cook and clean--now she had to let her husband take over those chores. She used to drive a church bus--now she could no longer drive. She used to paint portraits and draw cartoons--now she could barely do any painting at all. Being right handed, she had to learn to do everything with her left hand. She used to sing in the church choir. She was accustomed to doing things for others--now she had to humble herself and allow others to do for her. She must wear a brace in order to do what little walking she does. Because her entire right side remains 80% paralyzed, she must spend most of her time in a wheelchair. She now enjoys playing board games and doing word search puzzles.

Along the way, she received a special miracle from God. She had asked Him for a handicap scooter, but finally gave up and just decided to leave it up to Him. She later was given one as a gift from someone who didn't even know that she had asked God for one. Sylvia knows first hand just how good God is!
 

She has decided to be happy, to allow her life to be used by God to bless others, and to praise Him in word and song. She endeavors to put Him first in her life.
 

Her favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:6, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."

Putting that verse into practice dispels her anxieties and teaches her to pray over everything.

Sylvia has brought a "breath of fresh air" to our congregation. Her enthusiasm for the things of God is truly a blessing to us and her joyful spirit and hearty laugh brings a smile to all our faces. Welcome Sylvia! You are already a blessing to us.