Inspire, Winter 2005

Inspire 31 Heather Baslock Quasarano ’94 and her husband, Len, announce the birth of Luke Everett on November 17, 2004 in Linden, Michigan. Heather stays at home with Luke and works out of her home. Len works for a computer technology company. Heather is pictured here with her twin sister, Rhonda. Rhonda Baslock Sloan ’94 and her husband, Greg, announce the birth of Westly James on May 5, 2005. Big brother Wyatt (3) welcomed him home in Howell, Michigan. Rhonda works out of her home, and Greg works for the Hartland School District. Rhonda is pictured here with her twin sister, Heather. Chris ’94 and Melissa Davis Robertson ’94 announce the birth of Micah Edward. He was born September 20, 2004 and joins his sister, Caitlyn (3), at home in Wauseon, Ohio. Chris is a systems analyst for Sauder Woodworking Company, and Melissa enjoys staying at home with the kids. Aimee Miller Bontrager ’95 and her husband, Eric, announce the birth of Emily Joy on March 2, 2005 in Lima, Ohio. Aimee maintains her position as human resource/safety coordinator for Midwest Guardian on a part-time basis, and Eric is the assistant city engineer for the city of Lima. Todd ’95 and Dawn Merritt Entner ’96 are so thankful for the love, care, and concern shown by so many during the trying times of Dawn’s brain surgery and the birth of their daughter, Grace. The doctors in China have recommended another surgery this winter. Jennifer Kierstead ’95 plans to stay in Brazil for two more years to serve with WorldVenture. She is thankful for the peace that God has given her over this decision. Her graduate studies ended with her graduation in December 2005. Joseph ’95 and Cherish Clark Lesko ’96 announce the birth of Gwenna Mackensie on June 6, 2005. She was welcomed home by her two brothers, Garston (5) and Granite (3). They reside in Beavercreek, Ohio. Chad ’95 and Michelle Steenwyk Wingert ’94 announce the birth of Claire Elizabeth on October 11, 2004. She joins Katie (7) and Jenna (3) in Falling Waters, West Virginia. They are praising God for Claire’s good health after her surgery in December 2004 for a narrow aorta. Andy ’97 and Linda Gilbert Kuyper ’98 announce the birth of Emma Kathleen on May 21, 2005. She is loved by her big sister, Abby (3). The family resides in Fairview Park, Ohio. Ruthann McAuley ’97 and Matthew Formica were married September 4, 2004 in Palo Alto, California. After a honeymoon in Italy, they returned to their home in Sunnyvale, California. Matthew is a software evangelist for Apple Computer, and Ruthann is a massage therapist in a chiropractor’s office. Sam Olsen ’97 has completed a fellowship in sports medicine at American Sports Medicine Institute in Birmingham, Alabama. He has recently begun his internal medicine/sports medicine practice in Athens, Tennessee. Sam and his wife, Rachel (Wirt) ’97 , have two children, John (3) and Sarah (1). Rachel stays at home with the children but maintains her licensure as a physical therapist assistant. Jesse ’97 and Kerry Allen Roberts ’97 announce the birth of Joel Edmund on July 27, 2004. Big brothers Jacob (5) and Daniel (3) awaited his arrival in Cornish, New Hampshire. Jeffrey ’97 and Angela Boyce Saunders ’97 are getting adjusted to the culture in Kenya, where they serve with Africa Inland Mission. Please continue to pray that they will quickly learn the cultural differences. Angela is managing a motel, and Jeff is the station technical manager. Jonathan ’97 and Sarah Jenks Weber ’97 are praying that both churches and individuals will make support commitments soon so they can make the necessary plans to be in Belgium by April 2006 for Evangelical Baptist Missions’ All-Europe Conference. They are anxious to start their ministry in Belgium. Greg ’98 and Gina Hutley Dyson ’98 continue to minister at The Lion’s Den in Indian Orchard, Massachusetts. They are thankful for the additional volunteers who are adding consistency and stability for the youth. Beth Stewart Laswell ’98 and her husband, Ron, announce the birth of Clayton James on March 16, 2005 in Lebanon, Ohio. Beth received her master of music education degree from Miami University and enjoys teaching elementary music. Ron works for General Motors in Dayton and operates his own landscaping and lawn care business. Ben ’98 and Holly Barnett Nordaas ’98 announce the birth of Luke Benjamin on December 19, 2004. He joins his brothers, Daniel (5), Josh (3), and Jonathan (2), at home in Hadley, Michigan. Ben is the associate pastor at Hadley Community Church. Joshua ’98 and Julia Smith Rupp ’97 announce the birth of Abigael Jane on July 6, 2004. Joshua serves as the worship arts director for Gaylord Evangelical Free Church in Gaylord, Michigan. Julia enjoys being a stay- at-home mom after being an elementary school teacher for seven years. Stacy Saville Slanker ’98 and her husband, Joel, announce the birth of Theresa Jeanmarie on November 19, 2004. Joel is a scenic welder/carpenter for cruise ship theatres, and Stacy enjoys staying home with Tess in Monroe, Ohio. Life is a Gift! Last October, Robin Mills Skosko ’94 and her husband, Jack, learned their two-year-old son, Carter, would soon get not one, but two siblings! The Skoskos were having twins! Robin recalls that her initial reaction was “How are we going to do this?,” but she was reminded by a doctor (who has two sets of twins) that she was being blessed. At the end of January, the Skoskos learned the twins were boys. Following tests, they were referred to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to check the heart of Baby A. There the doctors found a heart defect. The following week, the doctors discovered that Baby B had a perforated bowel and didn’t appear to be growing as he should. Robin noted, “As we met with the doctors, I remained composed until the director of fetal surgery told my husband and I that we had ‘options.’ As I began crying, unable to believe that someone would think of my babies like that, we told him that we did not have any options but to pray and continue with the pregnancy.” The Skoskos named “Baby A” Landon and “Baby B” Nolan so people would have names to pray. Prayers were offered up on their behalf literally around the world. But the doctors told the Skoskos that Landon would certainly not live more than two more weeks. If Nolan did not start growing, he did not have much of a chance either. Three weeks later, tests revealed that both boys were growing. When running tests on Landon, the doctor could not believe she was looking at the same baby’s heart. The healing that had occurred amazed her! Robin said, “We told her it was God’s doing and that many people were praying for our boys.” The twins were born four weeks early on May 28, 2005. Nolan (the one who wasn’t growing enough) was an ounce bigger than his brother and had no evidence of bowel perforation. Landon’s echocardiogram showed a small heart murmur that is present in many newborns and no other defects. The boys are home and thriving. Robin shared, “We trusted God throughout our trial, knowing that He had a reason for whatever outcome was planned. We praise God for all of our boys and pray that others would be blessed for hearing their story and for knowing Carter, Landon, and Nolan.” The Skoskos reside in Honey Brook, Pennsylvania. They can be reached at skosko@juno.com .