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