Inspire, Winter 2003

Inspire 31 Todd works in category marketing management at Speedway SuperAmerica LLC. Chad ’93 and Kristi Walker Coe ’95 announce the birth of Ellyn Marie. Ellyn was born March 3, 2003 and was welcomed home by her siblings, Caleb (6), Gabriel (4), and Maggie (2), in Michigan. Jim ’93 and Julie Keller McCallister ’94 announce the birth of Noah Keller. He was born January 15, 2002 and joins his brother, Hayden (4), at home in Brownsburg, Indiana. Ryan ’93 and Nicole Hernandez Smith ’96 announce the birth of Breanna Caitlyn Nicole on April 10, 2003. Ryan is an engineer at Morris Associates and received his bachelor of science in electrical engineering in December 2003. Nicole recently resigned from her teaching position of six years at Tabernacle Christian Academy to stay home with Breanna. She received her master of science in education degree with a concentration in elementary reading in December 2003. The Smiths reside in Poughkeepsie, New York. Ken Vanderwest ’93 and his wife, Rhonda, announce the birth of Robyn Lin on February 3, 2003. Her brother, Nathan, awaited her arrival in Kent City, Michigan. Ken is an associate pastor at Kent City Baptist Church, and Rhonda teaches part-time for Kent City Community Schools. Paul ’94 and Amy Zehr McIntosh ’93 announce the birth of Andrew Joseph. He was born July 14, 2002 and joins his brother, Austin (3), at home in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Paul is a junior high and high school history teacher at Blackhawk Christian School, and Amy enjoys staying home with the boys. Tammy Bailey Dunham ’95 is a clinical nurse with the 407th expeditionary medical support squadron in Iraq. Her unit is responsible for the medical care of 26,000 joint service troops and coalition allies within Iraq. Brian ’95 and Kimberly Gurry Fourman ’96 announce the birth of Matthew Byron on December 27, 2002. Brian is a Christian school principal, and Kim stays at home with Matt and his sister, Kelly (2). They reside in Fayetteville, Georgia. Scott ’95 and Christine Fischbacher Hayden ’93 announce the birth of Alizabeth Signe. She was born August 29, 2003 and was welcomed home by her sister, Krista (2), in Thailand. Brian Nelson ’95 and his wife, Tracie, announce the birth of Broderick Keith on September 28, 2002. Big sister Brandy welcomed Broderick home. The family resides in Holland, Michigan, where Brian works as a morning show host and music director for JQ 99 FM. The family worships at Gateway Church in Grand Haven, Michigan. Dan Pugsley ’95 and his wife, Emily, announce the birth of Olivia Rayne on January 24, 2003. They reside in Pickerington, Ohio, where Dan is a sales consultant for Novartis Pharmaceuticals. Kristine Illjes Reid ’95 and her husband, Andrew, announce the birth of Kathryn Marie on November 5, 2002. Kristine enjoys staying at home with Kathryn. Joel Wallis ’95 and his wife, Aimee, announce the birth of Ethan Alan on December 19, 2002. Joel is a mechanical engineer in Springfield, Ohio, and the family resides in Cedarville. Chris ’96 and Shannon Pope Anderson ’96 announce the birth of Rachel Lauren. She was born September 22, 2002 and joins her sister, Taylor (3), at home in Maineville, Ohio. Chris is the sales and marketing manager at Buckhead Homes, and Shannon enjoys staying at home with the girls. Phil ’96 and Tara Wagenaar Geelhood ’95 announce the birth of Sofia Rose on January 9, 2003 at Fort Belvoir in Virginia. Phil was selected as a 2003 USAF Olmsted Scholar. The Olmsted Foundation works with the Department of Defense and sends the scholars and their families through language training. Phil and Tara completed a year of Ukrainian training in Washington, D.C. and will now live in Ukraine for two years. While there, Phil will work towards a master’s degree in a non-technical field. Upon their return to the States, Phil will resume his position as a C-130 aircraft commander. Hannah Haffey Marsdale ’96 works for Burns & Levinson LLP as an associate in the business litigation group. She and her husband, Marc ’95 , reside in Boston, Massachusetts. Julie Martindale Neils ’96 and her husband, Brian, announce the birth of Olivia Helen on June 23, 2003. They reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Brenda Mattke Rabideau ’96 and her husband, Dan, announce the birth of Rebekah Jean on January 8, 2003. Zachary (4) and Hannah (3) awaited her arrival. Brenda stays at home with the children, and Dan is an electrician in Hubertus, Wisconsin. Cynthia Quint Thompson ’96 and her husband, Chad, announce the birth of Brock Dalton on May 8, 2003. Cynthia is a CPA in Maine. Charstie Davids Thorson ’96 and her husband, Rick, announce the birth of Elise RaeAnn on March 18, 2003. Charstie enjoys staying at home with Elise and works as a freelance proofreader. The family resides in Des Moines, Iowa. Doug ’97 and Heather Ganly Amundson ’98 are ABWE appointees to Chile, where Doug will be the business manager for ABWE. Following God’s Direction Debbie Polsdorfer Koenig ’91 recently shared her story of how God has been at work in her life through music, drama, and public speaking. As a former piano major, music has always been an important part of my life, but I never imagined all that God would do with it! In 1998, our family moved from Dayton, Ohio to Dallas, Texas. During our four-year stay in Texas, God opened doors for me. I became very interested in drama, and through the encouragement of a few key people, I began writing monologues and performing them for church services and other events. I also composed my first piece of vocal music while in Texas. Within several years, I felt God calling me into some sort of public speaking ministry. Not wanting to give up my “first love” of music, I knew that I would somehow combine music, speaking, and drama into one ministry. I wasn’t sure how this was going to happen, but I felt sure of God’s calling and decided to leave it in His hands to open the doors of opportunity. The next big step came when I attended a biblical storytelling conference in Atlanta. After listening to others tell Bible stories for three days, I knew that was what I wanted to do — I would become a “Dramatic Biblical Storyteller!” Now my ministry combines my songwriting, piano, singing, drama, and speaking. I take a story from the Bible and re-tell it in a dramatic fashion using simple props. I integrate music with the story through the use of piano or singing. Interestingly, God always gives me a song to complement the theme I have chosen. My family moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan in the spring of 2002, and I have enjoyed several opportunities to minister to others since then, including speaking at a women’s retreat in Dallas. Praise God for the way He is able to do exceedingly great things in the lives of His children!