Peggy's Biography

We moved to Florida after Larry quit Grinderswitch because he thought a fresh start might help us both. He was trying to kick drugs and I was struggling with a drinking problem. I looked at the move as the last hope for our marriage, so I quit my job in Macon, Georgia and we moved south.

A change of scenery is never enough. Larry continued to abuse drugs, and I continued to drink. I left Larry after his third overdose and went to live with some friends. I tried to file for divorce within a few days of leaving, but because we had just moved to Florida I had to wait 6 months to file. When I heard that he had quit using and was going to church I thought "He'll do anything to get me back".

I'd heard that he had become a Christian, but I didn't want anything to do with church. As a Cherokee growing up in Oklahoma I'd been taught a lot about Indian traditions and culture. I remember when my mother and stepfather joined a Christian church I resented it as a desertion of our Native American culture. I wasn't sure what I believed, except that I was an Indian.

Almost three months after I'd left I heard he had gone to Macon to get some of our things out of storage, so I went by his place to get some of my clothes. The minute I saw him, I knew something had changed. He was so gentle and calm, didn't try to manipulate me or argue. He just helped me get my clothes and let me leave without resistance. I was glad he had changed, but it didn't sway my decision.

Then one night in December a friend took me outside to look at a strange glow in the sky. I remember wondering if Jesus was coming back right then, and the thought scared me. I knew I wasn't right with God. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I didn't know what I believed, only one thing made since, it was right for a wife to be with her husband.

I went to Larry and told him that I didn't want his Christianity and I didn't feel anything for him, but I would be his wife. If he could accept me on those terms I would come home. He took me in and no matter what I did, no matter how I tested him, he was so kind. God's love was getting through! I continued to drink, I was verbally abusive, and I wondered, "How can he take all this?"

One morning before he went to work I agreed to go to Church that evening. When he got home I'd been drinking. But he took me anyway. The moment I walked into that church with Larry I sobered right up. I didn't stay very long, right in the middle of the service I got so convicted I stood up and walked out. But I continued to face Larry's unconditional love and acceptance. His friends from church responded much the same way.

Later we drove back to Georgia to get more of our things out of storage and I ran into an old friend of ours. He was a motorcycle gang member who had been converted after Larry. When he told me "You've got a good man there,and I'm gonna be prayin for you" I couldn't have been more disturbed if some Hell's Angel had threatened me.

Sadly Jack is no longer with us on this earth but we'll see him again.

After that trip I couldn't sleep at night. I had this terrible sense that if I didn't do something immediately I might never have another chance. Larry heard me pacing one morning and got up. I told him how I'd been feeling, and he asked me if I wanted to pray. We got on our knees together and prayed the sinners prayer. That Sunday I went to church with Larry and went down to the front to pray at the end of the service. Just like Larry's experience with drugs, I've never taken a drink since.

I speak to women's groups and work with Larry to encourgage the Church and visit prisoners, bikers, and the Native people. I'm the leader of Harvest Cathedral's womens Prison Ministry. We call one group "Real Women Of Washington Prison" we meet with over 250 "Real Women" every fifth Friday. Larry and I travel together and spend a lot of our time touring the Nations. Over the years our story has helped so many others in troubled marriages,and relationships that seem hopless. Our message is simple "with God there is always hope." We are here, individually and as a couple because God didn't give up on us!