Mary Jane Havens spent her childhood years on a farm in Litchfield, Mich. Her main responsibility was to separate the milk from the cream and prepare it for sale. However, farm life involves a lot of responsibility. She also helped with planting, harvest, meal preparation and taking care of her siblings.

Her local community was made up almost entirely of Christians and she remembers a higher moral standard and a greater respect for the Bible than what she sees in society today.

The small community meant relationships with neighbors were very close. It was one particular friendship, tutoring a neighbor girl who struggled with her homework, which led to her career as a schoolteacher. She enjoys helping people understand difficult concepts.

Havens’ biggest lament about modern society is its self-focus. She feels like the current generation spends far too much time worrying about their own needs and very little thinking about others.