I came over from Austria

My Bible: reasons to believe in the power of the Bible

'I came over from Austria in 1959 to improve my English. I was just 19. I wanted to be a nurse, but my father objected, because he considered it to be not good enough. I went behind my father’s back and applied to work in a hospital. I wrote to my father and said I was working in a hospital and wanted to become a nurse.

After two weeks, a letter came from my father saying how surprised he was, but if this was what I wanted to do, I had his blessing, so long as I did not work in Austria. After a few years, I was approached about a job in Austria. At the same time, I heard about a job in Bristol and a flat to share just down the road. I read Psalm 32.8 which says, “I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go. I will counsel you with my eye upon you.”

It had been an unhappy childhood in Austria, with my parents divorcing and me being rejected. So, I felt that this verse spoke to me about the way I should go and that was to Bristol. It was confirmation of it to me. I worked there until I was 30 and got such good experience.

That verse has spoken to me several times in my life. But it gives me an assurance that, when I come to a crossroads, He will guide me again. I’m generally a worrier, but it gives me a sense of peace.'

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