Inspire, Summer 2001

school system's psychologist, and her conclusion still rings in my memory today: "This child will never read."How wrong she was! Shelley Knowles Allen'76 When Nathan was born prematurely, he weighed 1 pound,81/2 ounces and measuredjust 12 1/2 inches in length. WhenIfirst saw him,Iwas surprised and relieved to see how perfectly formed he was. It was very difficult to leave the hospital without our son, and at the first stoplight, Scott broke into tears. Hefelt so powerless, wanting to help his son and being unable. His comment was, "Whatdo people do who don't know Jesus?" We asked ourselves thatsame question many times over the nextfour months as we rode the roller coaster with Nathan's progress. Chris Ann Terry Schultz'95 After leaving the hospital [following surgeryfor a severely-broken ankle], Istill had a time of discomfort and adjustment. Ten days later,Iwas X-rayed to see how wellI was healing. The doctor thought that things looked good andIreceived myfirst "official" cast.Iwas excited asIfeltIwas one step closer to afull recovery. Two days later, Iwas in the emergency room.Iwas in excruciating pain,from the front ofmy rib cage to my back.Icould not lie down withoutscreaming and crying. After a lung scan and X-ray,Iwas shocked to learn thatIhad a blood clot in my right lung. Sarah Moseley'95 At the age of27, a little more thanfive years out of Cedarville,Ifound myselfa second-time patient in the White Pine Mental Health Facility. It was then that the Lord spoke:very clearly to me about whatIneeded to do. You may wonder how a born-again Christian like myself; a Cedarville grad, couldfind herselfin such a hopeless state ofagonizing depression. The medical reason thatI was so depressed was thatIwas taking a very strong, radical drugfor the treatment ofmy endometriosis. The spiritual reason whyIwas depressed was thatIhad stopped relying on the Lord and had tried doing things my own way. Ryan and Julie Bracy Farrand '93 This past year ofmy life has been the most trying and most rewarding Ihave ever experienced. Micah was diagnosed with spina bifida before he was born. We were told he would die before birth, so we should "make it easier" on ourselves and have an abortion as soon as possible. Because I would not heed my doctor's advice, he told meI should cancel myfuture appointments with him ... he was done with this problem! .cedarville.edu/dept/ar From the Director's Chair II Corinthians 12:9-10— ButHe said to me,"My grace is sufficientfor you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses,so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why,for Christ's sake,I delight in weaknesses. ... For when I am weak, then Iam strong. / t was seven years ago that I became very ill. Not life-threatening ill, just "can't-do-anything" ill. After myriads oftests, the diagnosis came— chronic fatigue syndrome (or chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome,as it is sometimes called). I was as discouraged by the diagnosis as I was with being so sick! Over the next few weeks,I learned that the only remedy was rest ... and pre-natal vitamins. (Try explaining that one!) For approximately six months,I moved from my bed to the sofa and back again. I couldn't carry on a conversation, watch a TV show,read a book,or stay awake or asleep at the appropriate time. Still, His strength was perfect. I have been so encouraged to read many testimonies of alumni who have been through the fire. In fact, there were far more stories than we could print. What a tribute to our great God to hear how He has sustained each one in a unique, yet powerful, way! So that you would be able to read all these remarkable stories, we are publishing additional articles on our alumni Web site. Please visit www.cedarville.edu/dept/ar to read these moving accounts. In the past seven years, my life has certainly changed. Bedtime is much earlier; I find myself having to say "no" to many wonderful opportunities; and my memory is not always what I wish it to be. However,there were lessons to be learned and strength to be found in Him.Following my illness, God spoke to me through His Word:"It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.I know,0LORD, that your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness you have afflicted me" (Psalm 119:71,75.) Faith Linn'83 Director of Alumni Relations Inspire 3