My Name is: Bonnie Sanchez
My Home Church/City is: Faith Lutheran - Elma WA
My job/position is: Deacon Intern
I understand my identity as: I am a Native American/mixed race mother and grandmother.
I am a Lutheran because: I love the foundations of love and outreach in the Lutheran Church as well as it's commitment to unity in the body of Christ.
My story is:
I don't even know where to begin. I am from humble beginnings, I have survived many tragedies and have been blessed with a mutually beneficial twenty-five year marriage as well as wonderful and talented children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
All my life, from the time I could begin to comprehend God, I have been aware of my Creator on some level; leading me, catching me, waiting for me and have desired more knowledge and more of the Holy Spirit. I went to Sunday School at a Lutheran Church in the South Seattle suburbs, lived and worked on the Quinault Reservation for eighteen years and worked at the Squaxin Island Tribe (where I am enrolled) for about fourteen years.
I have great respect for the Indian Shaker Church and also for traditional Native American beliefs and I wish that we could all try harder to understand one another in love. I have experienced many different denominations depending on where I lived at the time and think that helps me to be able to connect with people in ministry.
Something people don't usually know about me is: I love genealogical research. Along with my Native American heritage, I am also a descendant of pioneer Mormon settlers and Mayflower travelers.
To me, GRACE means: Another chance to get it right. Forgiveness; again and again. Growth and assistance from the Holy Spirit.
I share my faith by: Writing, speaking when necessary and most important; listening. You cannot share if you refuse to listen.
My favorite symbol of my faith is: I have never thought about this: maybe a campfire... where the fish are already cooking, provided by the Risen Lord while we were still striving trying to catch fish.
I pray for: The world, for peace, for people to rise above their circumstances and realize the value of Creation and every living thing. For the manifestation of love in the world.
