From Secretary to Field Rep

By Veva Appel

(From our series “The Best or Worst Advice I’ve Ever Received.”)

The best advice I have ever received, other than taking the advice of the man who asked me to marry him, came from my boss, George Gahr, president of Christian Homes, where I was his secretary.

After my beloved husband, Leon Appel, died at a young age, I thought I would be continuing in the secretarial position I enjoyed. But one day, Mr. Gahr asked me, “Veva, would you be willing to do some development work for Christian Homes?”

I replied, “George, don’t ask me, I can’t even balance my checkbook.”

He said, “We’ll get you some help.” He didn’t balance my checkbook, but sent me to seminars and conferences in Chicago, St. Louis, Memphis, and Nashville among other places to get me started. I attended with attorneys, professionals, accountants, and others who had been in that field for many years. I was praying and thinking, God, I didn’t pursue this and I don’t know very much about it, but if this is the path you want me to take, I am willing, if you will help me.

He has used me in ways I could never have anticipated, and I had many rewarding experiences to bless the facilities and people who filled the void in my life as a widow. I thank God for giving me courage to step out into unknown territory and work in that capacity until retirement. I became a field representative and marketing assistant. It became the most rewarding experience of my life in serving God and his people.

I am so grateful I took this good advice.

Veva Appel lives in Lincoln, Illinois.