Mary Elizabeth Nelson was raised in the area of Wisconsin known as the Holyland. Her early understanding of life and God was shaped by the culture and her mentors in this German Catholic environment. Life events challenged her belief in God until, as a young adult, she gradually recognized Jesus as a real, historical person, and as the Son of God. Mentors have continued to be God's provision, "gardeners of her soul" through their example and words. Gardeners of the Soul highlights some of the most influential people in Mary's life. This includes Dorothy Mannenbach Krebsbach, and Aloys Krebsbach, her parents; Elizabeth Mannenbach, her grandmother; Father Benjamin Blied, her parish priest; and Sister Agnessa her high school art teacher; her husband Lindy, seminary professors and writers; and friends from the churches at which Lindy pastored in Belvidere, IL, Brooklyn Center, MN, and Minocqua, WI; coworkers from Lakeland High School and the Marshfield School District; along with the lifelong examples of Marshfield, WI and missionary friends serving around the world. You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in your presence with eternal pleasures... Psalm 16:11 (NIV)