Wheaton College Alumni Magazine Winter 2013 | Page 5
dearWHEATON
Katherine Anderson’s article
“Wonder Filled” (autumn 2012) is a living
recipients, I receive occasional requests to
share my story with large groups, or
tribute to a beautiful young woman. In her
sometimes just speak to our vets. I tell them
26 brief years, Anna O’Connor lived a full life
the stor y of the rather dramatic rescue of a
for her Savior as she dealt with a terminal
downed Navy pilot, for which our crew was
illness.
In a recent Bible study on Francis Chan’s
awarded the Navy Cross. My “lead” as
I begin to speak is often Psalm 121, verses
Crazy Love, I felt compelled to include Anna
that Coach Bubba Church had us memorize
O’Connor in the list of individuals who lived
in his principles of coaching class. God’s
“love-motivated lives” (ch. 9). Desiring to be
presence preserved our “going in and our
healed only if it meant living inside the
going out” of Vietnam.
purpose and will of God, Anna made every
Capt. Harry Zinser ’68, USN, Ret.
day count in serving the God she glorified.
Lemoore, California
It is obvious that her impact on the lives she
touched is still felt by the many lives she loved
Wow! What an issue! As I read the
and served for her Savior. She embraced
articles in the spring Wheaton magazine
every possible moment, surrounded by her
I could barely contain my excitement.
flowers in front of the house. With his
loving family.
The cover itself is breathtaking, and the
permission, I chose a peony.
Thanks for including this special article
accompanying reports from Egypt were
It was moved to our house in West
on a unique young woman who challenged
fresh and encouraging. As one who
Chicago and planted with the loving care
me to live inside God's will.
connects with Christians in the Middle
of my wife “Jerry” [retired director of
Hope Abisamra ’60
East, especially Palestinians, I was
purchasing]. When retirement came, we
Worcester, Massachusetts
thrilled with this news. Then came the
relocated to West Michigan and
article on nurturing spiritual development
transplanted the peony, determined to
of children, offering new ways of
keep a bit of Wheaton with us. As our ages
worship with children. And Matthew
Soerens’s thoughts on immigration were
advanced, we moved again. Again, our
“Wheatie” flower is thriving, twice as large
so encouraging and pertinent to the
as when I moved it from Eastgate.
agricultural area where I live. Several of
the other articles, too, offered much to
John R. Wells HON,
retired College postmaster
think about. Thank you for sharing the
Holland, Michigan
work and thought that is taking place with
students and alumni around the world.
Donna Wilde Oliva ’65
Yakima, Washington
Anna O’Connor ’07, M. A. ’11
Write Us
We want to hear from you. Send us
your letters and emails as they relate to
The article “Blanchard Heirlooms”
material published in the magazine.
In your autumn 2012 issue was a photo
in the last issue tells the story of Mary
Correspondence must include your name,
of Coach Don Church ’57 with a group of
Blanchard’s roses that are planted in front
address, and phone number. The editor
alumni who came to the College in June
of “Westgate,” the home of the Alumni
reserves the right to determine the
for a reunion in his honor. When these men
Association. I have a similar story to tell,
suitability of letters for publication and to
were students some 30 years ago, they had
which came about when it was planned to
edit them for accuracy and length.
traveled with “Bubba” Church on track and
remove the venerable “Eastgate,” known to
Unfortunately, not all letters can be
field missions trips to Mexico, Africa, and
have been the residence of Billy Graham
published nor can they be returned.
Eastern Europe.
while he was a student. I asked the head
Editor, Wheaton, Wheaton College /
groundsman if I might have one of the
Wheaton, IL 60187 or [email protected]
As one of only a few living Navy Cross
WHEATON 3