many wonderful and influential
Army officers there. Over the
years, our children have partici-
pated in all the Army youth pro-
grams. With the addition of our
third child, my daughters and
son eventually became graduate
Corps Cadets.
23 years, I consider my fellow sol-
diers to be family. The love was
abundant and evident. Before I
could drive, Captain Norris would
pick my children and me up at
home and drive us to church and
church functions. Since I lived
farther away from the corps than
anyone else, this was tangible ev-
idence of their kindness.
like me at church. Captain
William responded, "What does
My skin color didn't matter at
the Army--what mattered was
what was on the inside.
sense of belonging.
(50th) year as a Salvation Army
soldier. I have enjoyed fifty years
of involvement, teaching and be-
longing. I didn't just sit on the
bench. I got involved, and I still
am to this day. I continue to
teach Vacation Bible School and
Sunday school, and I am also
happy to be involved with both
Women's Ministries and Commu-
nity Care Ministries. My corps is
now Chicago Midway Citadel. To
God be the Glory!
ris was there to set up a tenants'
meeting, since The Salvation
Army was the building sponsor.
While listening to the captain ex-
plain the reason for his visit, I
heard my inner voice say, "That's
where I want you."
The Salvation Army to me. This
was well illustrated at my first
Salvation Army meeting. It was
important for me to find a church
that taught holiness. As I at-
tended a service a couple of weeks
after my visit from Captain Nor-
ris, it was he who spoke of believ-
ing in holiness. Before the end of
God wanted me to be. The follow-
ing Easter Sunday, Captain Nor-
ris enrolled me as a Salvation
Army soldier.
life. I was a stay�at�home mom,
and with the blessing and sup-
port of my husband, my children
and I were able to participate in
many Army programs. I have
been involved in youth ministry
and activities, namely Sunday
school and Vacation Bible
School. I have also been a Sun-
beam leader and a Corps Cadet
counselor. Almost every year I
attend the Central Bible Leader-
ship Institute (CBLI), where I
was first trained to teach what I
love--the Word of God. I have
moved from the Southside of
Chicago to the Westside, I found
myself in need of a congregation
of believers. I planned on visiting
churches in the immediate area
to see if one would be a comfort-
able fit for me.
Four months passed. I had not
visited any churches. This was
the longest time I had gone with-
out being part of a congregation.
Then early one July afternoon,
while my children were napping,
there came a knock at the door. I
really didn't want to be bothered,
so after a long hesitation, I finally
answered the knock. To my sur-
prise, there stood Salvation Army
Captain (now Colonel) William
Norris, the corps officer of
Chicago's Midwest Corps. With