Who Could Have Ever Imagined?--The Sequel

From 1984-1986 our family lived in the Twin Cities because Jim was a student at Bethel Theological Seminary. We knew that God had called us to missions, but we hadn’t yet been appointed by our agency. My part of the arrangement was to be the breadwinner for a couple of years. Miraculously in October I got a teaching job at a lovely school in Andover, Minnesota.

Yes…October!

I taught at Crooked Lake School for two years, the exact length of time that the school needed one extra first grade teacher. It was clear that this job was a “God thing” and that He had made supernatural provision for us. The principal later told me that I had been chosen from over 200 applicants for that job.

In the spring of 1986 I said my final goodbyes to elementary school teaching, knowing that college teaching was my future. But that year would also be remembered for another reason. In that very last class was a little girl named Rochelle who had fallen in love with her teacher Mrs. Mathias.

On the last day she asked me if she could write me letters when I lived in Belgium. (By then we had been appointed and knew we’d be going to teach at Continental Bible College in Brussels.) I agreed to write to her, of course, but I assumed she would be like other children who would write one or two letters then move on to other favorite teachers.

No so!

She continued to write through the years. Through grade school. Through the awkwardness of junior high. Through finding her identity in high school. Through trying to make ends meet in college. Each time our itineration took us back to the Twin Cities, I'd call her and we would meet somewhere for a treat. I could see that she was developing into a lovely young woman, and I strongly encouraged her to wait for the right man to marry...someone who would love God wholeheartedly...a guy who would be a strong Christian example for their children.

Rochelle is now 29. She and her husband Mike came to see us last weekend. We hadn't yet met him, but boy were we pleased! He is exactly the kind of young man we had hoped she would choose.

She says that I’ve been a very important person in her life, in fact, she recently compiled all of the letters we’ve written back and forth over the 23 years. The notebook of letters is over 3 inches thick! (photos below)

Who could have ever imagined? I couldn’t have. But as the “random” class lists were made for the “new teacher” at Crooked Lake School in the fall of 1985, I know God made sure Rochelle was in my class. He is so amazing!

My current situation? We continue to marvel at how my condition seems to have stabilized. My speech is slurred (more in the evening) and my walking is awkward (more when I’m tired) but other than that, I’m feeling quite normal—whatever normal is--I’ve almost forgotten. ☺

I just know that God is good and that he is taking very good care of us...arranging things for our good and his glory!

I love this scripture: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a purpose." Jeremiah 29:11

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Rochelle took me back to the two letters that she read and re-read as she formed the ideals for her life.


Sweet girl...!


...and she married a great guy.


Here's the back of the book of letters...THEN and NOW photos


Rochelle is one of our girls!


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