Stetson University

We love going back to the place where we spent four years growing and maturing and learning.  Some of the learning was about music, and some was just about life.

 



Any time we can find former professors, we jump at the chance to spend time with them. As we rounded the corner to find the restroom, we spotted a couple of familiar faces.  Dr. Musco, on faculty at Stetson, and Dr. Perrine, on faculty at Cleveland State University.  We happened to graduate from Stetson with Dr. Perrine, so we got a double dose of joy! 

 



A visit to Stetson isn't complete until we tiptoe into Elizabeth Hall and gaze at the beautiful Beckerath organ.  All of our concerts were performed in this lovely hall, and just breathing brought back a flood of musical memories for both Aaron and me.

 



After a quick lunch, we drove over to our former voice professor's house.  We have built years of memories with her, too.  One of my favorites is the year we brought my high school orchestra all the way from Arkansas to Florida.  I was pregnant with Sarah, and Dr. Linney asked Aaron and me to stay in her home.  Our discussion is always lively, and I usually come away with a suggestion for a new book to read, too.

 



Later that afternoon, we visited with a former professor's wife.  We just love Patty.  Her home is like a living museum, and she was practicing Bach's Goldberg Variations when we walked up to the door.  We talked about everything under the sun, embroidery, music, liturgy, banana pudding, and, again, I left with a couple of good book suggestions!





Gran Mollie and Grandpa T

This precious couple (and their famous waffles) have been welcoming our family into their home for more than twenty years.

 





They balance the chaos we bring with their gentle and quiet spirits, and they always provide a peaceful place for us to recharge in the midst of our travels.

 



Each morning I started my day sitting in this chair,

 



and looking across the room at this lovely cross-stitch. 

 



 

GranMollie's mother crocheted the beautiful scallops on the pillowcases,

 



and also fashioned the quilt under which Sarah and Olivia slept each night.



The blue material came from a dress, also made by her mother, that GranMollie wore as a little girl.  She still has the dress, with a row of little embroidered ducks, and she has a picture of herself in the dress.

 



 

One of my favorite parts of our visit was singing hymns together Monday morning while Benjamin played on the organ and GranMollie played on the piano.

 



GranMollie and Grandpa T are just more of God's grace poured on us when He brought us to DeLand to attend Stetson University

 

 

and Stetson Baptist Church.

 

Thanks for adopting us into your family!

 



More DeLand, Florida

Sunday afternoon, our family joined other Stetson alumni and members of Sigma Alpha Iota for a sweet time of fellowship and snacks.

 



 

It seems like only a few years since we were in school together and members of the Eta Pi chapter! 

 

At one point in the afternoon, one of the moms got a call that her son, who had fallen off a scooter and given himself a big knot on the head earlier in the day, was vomiting.  So, she left the party early and headed to the emergency room to meet her husband and son.  A few minutes later one of the ladies received a text asking us to pray for the boy, who had indeed sustained a concussion.  I loved that we paused the conversation, bowed our heads, and prayed for this family.

 



We've only changed a tiny bit.

 



Three husbands joined this crazy crew of ladies, the guys are also Stetson alumni.  They look remarkably similar, don't you think?

 



While the ladies chatted inside, the kids went outside to play



 
 
 

and shoot off leftover fireworks from the 4th of July.

 



 

I love this sweet, hospitable woman!  Eva just celebrated her 80th birthday, and as long as I've known her, she has opened up her home to love on people.  I think we counted twelve adults and fourteen children running around her house.

Our crazy friends from Avon Park thought we needed another trip to Rodeo Whip,





Two times in two days.  We have to make up for lost time.

 



Even the second time around, garbage pail and peanut butter fudge crunch still came out on top in the flavor race.

 



Since the Loomis clan talked us into going for ice cream, we talked them into going back to GrandMollie and Grandpa T's house to visit for a little bit.



Sweet times!  (Aren't they the cutest couple ever?!?)

 



We are forever grateful that the Lord led us to DeLand and allowed our paths to cross with so many amazing people who love Him.

 





DeLand, Florida

One of our sweet college friends came over Sunday afternoon to visit.  She learned a few new fist bumps while she hung out with our kids.

 



"Aunt Tara" has a beautiful voice and a smile to match!

 



Tampa and DeLand, Florida

On our way north from St. Petersburg, we stopped in Tampa to eat lunch with my college roommate's mother.  It's always so fun to reconnect with old friends.

 



Then we continued our journey north toward DeLand.  Our first stop was our favorite ice cream shop, Rodeo Whip, to meet a former professor's family.  Garbage Pail ice cream is our kids' favorite flavor. 

 



I think we could chart our children's growth by the pictures we have taken in front of the Rodeo Whip sign.

 



Our college cello professor was out of town, but his beautiful wife and daughters gave us some of their time to catch up over ice cream. 

 



St. Petersburg, Florida

Aaron and I lay in bed amazed last night at how God led us to go to a little bitty school in the small town of DeLand, Florida.  We had no idea of the impact that decision would have on our lives.

 

 While at Stetson University, not only did we receive a fabulous education, but we also met people who still continue to influence our lives. 

 



James and Barbara were newlyweds pregnant with their first child when we met them.  They opened their home to two college freshmen a thousand miles away from home.

 



They did a lot of pre-marital counseling, allowed us free access to their washer and dryer, encouraged us to jump into service at Stetson Baptist Church, and opened their home anytime we needed a place to stay or eat.

 



They are still doing those things for anyone who needs a listening ear or an open home.

 



And we're still building on more than twenty years of memories together.

 



The two Benjamins in 2004:

 



And the two Benjamins now:



Me holding Megan as a newborn:

 



And Barbara holding Katherine as a newborn:

 



 

Michael, at about age 12 (the same age as my Benjamin), helping Benjamin make GrandMollie's famous waffles:



When James performed our wedding ceremony sixteen years ago, none of us had any inkling of the results:

Sweet friendships, godly wisdom passed down from one family to another, a new generation making memories together and spurring one another on to be like Christ.