Maxine J. Bersch was born in WV Jan.23, 1919 into a family of storytellers, writers, musicians and poets. Her gift of storytelling was evidenced even in childhood and the writing as well. She is well known in Southern Baptist circles through the work with LifeWay Christian Resources in teaching the skills of the storyteller, and the publishing of her book "Storytelling in a Nutshell." In retirement years she continues to tell and to teach as opportunity arises, but more time is now devoted to writing. She has three children and four grandchildren, with multiple nieces and nephews who keep her busy with Facebook and email correspondence. Her motto is "Look up! Laugh! Love! and Lift!"and she adds--"I will do the best I can, with what I have, where I am, for Jesus' sake today!" One of her favorite scriptures is" Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof," which she translates to mean, "Live one day at a time."