Inspire, Summer 1995

As the Cedarville College family grows and spreads across the globe, more and more alumni connections are being made through electronic mail. During winter quarter 1995,senior Sandy Costello did her student teaching at Black Forest Academy in Germany. Through e-mail,she connected with Gary'85 and Jennifer Matthews Anderson'86 for an impromptu alumni gathering in Switzerland! Jennifer, Sandy,Gary, and two of the Andersons'friends spent the day downhill skiing. To contact the Alumni Office through electronic mail for friends' addresses or to give an update for Inspire, write to " alumni@cedarnet.cedarville.edu ". These cousins proudly displayed their new Cedarville College T-shirts when this photo was taken in the late 1970's. Since then,three of the four followed the path to Cedarville College. John Lightly (left), son of Doug'67 and Jane Hess Lightly'69, is a junior. Debra Davidson (middle), daughter of Donald'65N and Dorothy Lightly Davidson'65N,is a junior accounting major. Lisa Lightly '94(right), Doug's sister, earned her bachelor's degree in business communications technology and is currently working for an HMO in Peoria, Illinois. Cousin Dennis, Debra's brother, is also pictured. Thanks to our many alumni who encourage their children to consider attending Cedarville College! Finding A Family D ave Sallee'85 has always liked children, but he could never have predicted how he eventually came to have a family of his own.Dave simply says,"God had a plan for me." At age 28,Dave was teaching physical education at Shepherds Baptist Ministries,a Christian home and school for mentally disabled adults in Union Grove,Wisconsin. He had applied to Shepherds after taking some education classes at Cedarville from Ellen Glanville,a Shepherds staff member and adjunct faculty member at the College.Dave enjoyed working with the residents at Shepherds and often volunteered for extra duty in the living units."AtShepherds,I learned how much faith people can have," Dave recalls."When the residents prayed,they expected answers to prayer.I didn't always pray that way. And God met the needs ofevery resident through people's gifts, because Shepherds doesn't take any money from the governmentfor their operations. God also met my needs in incredible ways." Little did Dave know that he was about to be used to meet the needs ofsome other special people. At Union Grove Baptist Church,Dave had metsome families with whom he was familiarfrom his Cedarville days. One couple,the Holloways,(parents of Van'88, Camille'95,and Thile '95), befriended Dave,having him over to their house almost weekly."They were like family to me,"he says.In the summer of 1991, however,their Sunday evening get-togethers changed Face To Face With Death; Face To Face With Life R oscoe'82 and Rhonda Crist Smith'83 began married life in no hurry to begin a family.They shared a sense that they could begin building their family with children whenever they wished.So Rhonda taught kindergarten and Roscoe continued at Cedarville as guest coordinator in the Admissions Office after they were married in July 1983.In 1986,Roscoe entered a master's program at Wright State University and Rhonda became a second grade teacher when the Smiths moved to Fairborn. Withjust the two ofthem,life moved ahead with few surprises. After completing his master ofbusiness administration degree,Roscoe returned to the Cedarville College Admissions Office in the fall of 1987. But on Memorial Day 1988,he was given grim news.The diagnosis was acute lymphocytic leukemia. Doctors explained all the possibilities—death, weight loss, hair loss,loss ofhearing and sight,and sterility in 90 percent of patients.Through three years and seven months ofchemotherapy,God quietly spoke to Rhonda and Roscoe,"Children are a gift, not to be conceived when you want.I give you children." After aggressive chemotherapy treatments,doctors reaffirmed the chance for children was slim.The possibility of birth defects, waiting many years for conception,and most likely having no children was the best outlook doctors could give. But God had other plans. During Labor Day weekend 1992,seven months after Roscoe's last chemotherapy treatment, Roscoe and 4SUMMER'95 somewhat. They asked Dave if he wanted to play tennis after church,and when he arrived, he found they had also asked a young woman, Nancy,from the church to play."The Holloways were playing 'the game of love',but! didn't catch on at first," Dave admits. Dave knew Nancy's story, but didn't know her well. In April 1989,Nancy's husband was walking their dog when he was hit and killed by a car. In October that year,she gave birth to twin boys. Both Jacob and Tyler were given the middle name John,after their deceased father. Over several months,Dave and Nancy stopped having popcorn after church with the Holloways and their twin daughters,and started spending more time with Nancy's twin sons.They married in February 1992. "I'm super glad that I waited for Nancy.She's perfect for me in every way.God had her picked outfor me," Dave says. Nancy was glad,too,to find a new husband who loved not only her, but her boys also. In May 1992, Dave resigned hisjob to go back to school full-time. But first, he took the entire summerjust to spend time with his new family—including the now two-year-old twins. Dave's third knee surgery had convinced him it was time to pursue something other than physical education, so he attended Alverno College for two years to complete his coursework for an elementary education certificate. Since graduating in 1994,he has been a substitute teacher,and he hopes to have a full-time position in the fall. The Sallees' third child,Dana Marie,is now 10 months old. Dave remembers,"At Shepherds,I sometimes did personal care—brushing residents' teeth,changing diapers. Having my own family was easier. But now that I know what a little baby is like,I see what Nancy went through as a widowed mom with twin boys." Dave and Nancy have learned that whatever they go through,they can go through it together,and they know that God has a plan for their family. Family Adventure IJ . _ n 1992,Jeff Warix'80 held thejob of his dreams.In hig.ninth year at IBM Corporation in St. Louis, Missouri, he and '0 his wife,Debbie(Mullet'79N),had just realized another lifelong ambition—owning - ---77 acres of beautiful,rolling fields and woods in the country where they could rear their children. Yet Jeffshares,"As we considered building a new home on the property, we sensed a lack of peace. God intervened and made it quite clear to each of us that while these were good goals,they were not His best for us." God burdened Jeff and Debbie to serve Him in Brazil,South America as church planters, teachers in a Bible institute for nationals, and workers with the many orphaned and homeless children. Each step of deputation is a real-life adventure as all seven children travel and participate in sharing their ministry in the churches. Justin(13), Jerad(10),James(8), and Joseph(6)share their musical talents on the violin as they perform together during church offertories. Katie(4), Abby(2),and even six-month-old Jacobjoin the rest ofthe family to sing "Here Am I, Lord,Send Me"and "A Servant's Heart." Jeffdemonstrates an Amazon blow-gun while thirteen-year-old Justin holds the target...but every once in a while,Jeff misses!"We have actually enjoyed the life ofdeputation,and we recognize God's grace is the reason," Jeff states. Jeff and Debbie believe that God calls the family,notjust the parents,to the task of missions. Their goal is to involve the family in each meeting, whether it be camp,missions conferences,or weekly services."We have seen our kids actually look forward to many of these new experiences. Though in the beginning they were somewhatfearful,God miraculously prepared their hearts to do this," Debbie shares. When they are not traveling in the large motor home which God provided,the four older boys enjoy hunting,fishing, and golfing with their dad. Katie(4) and Abby(2)enjoy helping mommy at home.Six- month-old Jacob has found that his big brothers and sisters consider him their personal property to play with. With an education background from Cedarville,Debbie home-schools the children and may continue to do so when they reach Brazil. Hailing from Jerseyville,Illinois, the Warixes hope to leave for the field in mid-1996,but are waiting on the Lord's direction. In April 1995,they reached 50% of their needed monthly support. As Jeff reflects on the experience ofdeputation and God's miraculous provision,he shares,"Ifeel a renewed vigor to enjoy and appreciate the time the Lord has given us together, even on a busy and sometimes demanding deputation schedule.God has given us a wonderful family and an opportunity to serve Him.He truly blessed us above and beyond what we could ask or think." Rhondafound out that she was pregnant! Greatjoy mixed with anxiety about the health oftheir unborn child, but testing indicated that the baby and pregnancy were low risk. On April 27, 1993,Kalie Rose came into the world,ten years after Roscoe and Rhonda married. "The birth experience is something I will never forget or grow tired oftalking about,"Roscoe shares."What an exciting miracle from God!" Roscoe believes battling cancer made him better prepared to be afather. "Facing death taught me what love was all about.God showed me love every day through Rhonda.She loved me when I had lost40 pounds,had no hair, and lived in the hospital for seven months." The Smiths'second blessing,Jaden Blake,was born March 25, 1995.During a family car ride, Kalie gave her input on increasing the family.She thought a little brother would bejust great! While testing for possible birth defects during the crucial third month of Jaden's development,Roscoe and Rhonda found out this child would be a son. "When you face your mortality and life and death hang in the balance, you see so clearly what is important,and you get rid of what is unimportant. Rhonda and my children are the most important people God has entrusted to my care," reflects Roscoe. Although in remission for several years,Roscoe is uncertain how many years he will have to spend with his family."I enjoy every momentI have with them," Roscoe says. During a recent testimony at his church, Faircreek Church in Fairborn,Roscoe shared,"I am certain that God brought meface to face with death so that He could bring me face to face with the miracle of life...and facing life was sweeter because ofit."