ON TO USD

God began to lead in various ways to make a change in my second year at Wheaton. At semester, I transferred to the University of South Dakota at Vermillion, SD. It was difficult to leave chapels and Christian teachers and students behind. However, I felt clear about God's leading. It was quite a culture shock to rarely ever see someone pray at meals and to have an ungodly roommate.
God did some very special things in my time at USD. Through getting acquainted with Frances Grubbs, my way led to Hutchinson and my lifelong mate, Mary and a ministry that awaited me. God used a number of transfer Christian students in those days to bring many students to Christ. My last two years I roomed with a transfer student from Morningside College in Sioux City, Daryl Anderson, who has become a lifetime buddy in the faith. God was doing exciting things on this secular university. It is so important to follow the leadings of God.

HOMESICK

When I went to Wheaton, one of the things I did not know about myself was that I would experience homesickness. I thought I was quite independent and never had a thought about that. Here I was in Chicago without a car(a freshman rule) and no plan to go home until Thanksgiving. I really did get homesick. I learned I was very tied to my Mom. Singing hymns in Sunday worship just brought tears. God used those days to draw me closer to Him and gave me an understanding of what homesickness felt like. I am very grateful for a close family and growing up in a safe home.

AN UNFORGETABLE ENCOUNTER

Early in my days at Wheaton, I experienced the grace of God in a time of testing. I had spent the weekend with my brother John and his wife Dorice in Chicago. They were at Trinity preparing for missions. I was returning to Wheaton on Sunday evening traveling by the Chicago Northwestern commuter train and was on the smoker car. My heart was overwhelmed as I faced the next week. Studies were hard and I was often belittled for coming from a small high school of about 17 in our graduation class. Later I learned that many of my fellow students were braggarts concerning their accomplishments. I was discouraged. All sorts of thoughts filled my mind. Had I just made up my own way in wanting to go to Wheaton? Had God really led me? Going back and farming looked attractive.


In the midst of the cloud of smoke and discouragement on my soul, a gentleman came and sat next to me and inquired if I was a Christian(I think I was carrying my Bible). I said I was and in answer to his questions, I said I was attending Wheaton College. He asked why I chose Wheaton. I began to tell him how God had used Jim Elliot and his testimony to inspire me to attend Wheaton. After he let me go on and on, he said, "that's interesting". Jim married my sister, Elizabeth. Jim's parents are at my home even now and I would like to have you meet them. It was such a joy to speak to them about their son.


But that was only part of the special thing God had just done. In essence He was saying, Relax and trust me. I know where you are and what's ahead. Trust my leading. The man was Dr. Howard, an instructor at the college: I can't remember much about him, but I will never forget that God met me in a smoker car on the way back to Wheaton at such a needy time in my life.

BLESSINGS AT WHEATON

Wheaton College was my first experience of Christian Education. It was wonderful to have classes started with prayer and often devotionals.
The chapel services were a delight. When I first saw the beautiful Edman Chapel, it had me in awe.
Dr. Angeline Brant, a very plain single lady in her 60s, gave me a love for mathematics. Her love for the subject was infectious.
It has been a blessing to get acquainted with Dr. V. R. Edman and his life. God used his writings in significant ways in my life.
I also learned how to study there. On Saturday, you had to arrive early at the library to get a place to study. Later on at the University of South Dakota, I had the choice of a hundred places in the library on a Saturday.
God also used Wheaton to alert me to much that was going on in the Christian world. I am grateful for my time at Wheaton College.

GOD LED ME TO WHEATON

As I look back, there were a number of things that came together to open the door to attending Wheaton College. I didn't have any counsel concerning that choice. After I read Jim Elliot's testimony including much about his time at Wheaton, I became very interested in pursuing attendance there. I transferred to a larger school so I could take Chemistry which, unknown to me, was a requirement. I applied in my junior year which was also necessary if I were to attend after graduation. It was also required to take the SAT test which I had done. I believe God graciously led me in the steps that were necessary. I really knew little about the college and knew no one who had attended. When I received my acceptance letter I was pretty excited. So, it was off to Wheaton.

A LIFE CHANGING TESTIMONY

I remember hearing on the radio one morning that five missionaries were slain by the Auca Indians in Ecuador. In my junior year in high school, I read with great interest, "Shadow of the Almighty", the journal and testimony of Jim Elliot. I was so impressed with his devotion to Jesus Christ. Through his journal, it was obvious that Christ was first in his life. God used his testimony to challenge me on in my devotion to Jesus Christ. His writing about his time at Wheaton College interested me in applying to Wheaton. Jim wrote, "he is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." That truth has been very helpful in my life and I pray it will guide those after me.

GOD USED IT FOR GOOD

Teenage years can be very difficult. One experiences many changes and adjustments. I remember the difficulty I experienced with acne and my complexion. It made me quite self conscious. Looking back, I have thanked the Lord many times for the blessing which I considered a curse. It was a real safeguard against over attention to girls and dating. Over the years, I have noticed that some of the things we consider to be bad for us are there for a purpose. God saw that Paul needed his thorn in the flesh. God did not want me to get my life fouled up with girls before I would meet His choice for me.