A Walk Down Memory Lane - Toccoa Falls College

This is a "Steiner News Alert":  An update on Nanny Steiner (my MIL): I guess her mansion in heaven isn't quite ready yet...She's decided to get out of that bed and rejoin the living...been eating at the dining room table (at The Lodge) for the past couple of days, after NOT eating OR drinking for well over a week. She is a bit confused about where she is, what's going on, etc., but she's definitely not ready to leave this old earth just yet! Amazing woman! 95 and counting!!! Praise God! Thank you for praying! Miracles do still happen!!!

Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming:  

As a part of our whirlwind journey last weekend we made a special trip to visit the campus of Toccoa Falls College, in Toccoa Falls, Georgia.  Why? Well, for several reasons:

1. Our son graduated from college there and wanted to show his beloved bride a place that is very special to him.
2. It is also the place where my hubby and I moved to, in our first year of marriage, right after he graduated college in Florida. (June, 1970)
3. My hubby's first teaching job was at this very same place, in the Toccoa Falls Academy, a Christian boarding high school, which is no longer in existence, but was for many years a part of this college campus.
4. I also worked here on this campus, in the business office as the receptionist.
5. We have many very happy memories at this beautiful place, so please come along on the tour with us.

The tour begins at the entrance to Toccoa Falls College: "Where Character Is Developed With Excellence"

As we drove onto the campus, one of the first buildings we noted was "Fant Hall", one of the girls' dormitories.  The summer we moved to Toccoa Falls my husband actually helped build this building. He has "fond" memories of putting in insulation in 95 degree summer temperatures, and coming home covered with prickly insulation fibers all over his body. He also cut and sanded several hundred cabinet doors, and came home covered in sawdust from head to foot.  If you've ever worked in the humid, extremely hot temperatures of northeast Georgia in the summer, you can imagine how miserable he was...but we were young and in love and happy to be in such a picturesque place, and thankful for how God had provided for us...  This building is now being renovated...after 48 years!

Standing on the steps of the "new" dining hall and "Eagles' Nest" snack bar, (new to us, but it was built in the early 90's, so our son actually worked in this building in the kitchen while attending college...and ate many a meal there), my hubby is telling the "kids" that when we lived there this building was where the gymnasium was.  They now have a beautiful new gymnasium, and this dining hall is an extremely nice building compared to the basement dining hall they had in the bottom of the old girls' dorm, LeTourneau Hall, when we were there.

The view from the steps of the dining hall across the campus:

And more view from the steps of the dining hall, across the lower valley of the campus...(and there is quite a story about this "lower valley", which I will get to later)

This tour does not include pictures of ALL the buildings on campus, just a few random as we walked...if you want more info you can go to the website for Toccoa Falls College HERE.

This picture below is of lovely butterflies on lantana, outside the business office building where I worked (48 years ago!!!!)

 This plaque tells the history of the "G.I. Hill and Steel buildings" that came from a nearby Army base after World War II.  The steel buildings were used for classrooms, and my hubby's biology class was in one of those buildings.  G.I. Hill was comprised of many G.I. cottages, set on "terraces" up the side of a steep hill, and these were used to house staff members. Hubby and I lived in one of those cottages on the very tip top terrace. It was a very steep drive up and down for us Florida flatlanders, and especially for me to drive our stick shift dodge dart...could not do it very well...plus, I was in the early stages of pregnancy with our first born...yes, the same one who came to college here 18 years later, and the same one who came to visit the campus with his beloved some 24 years after his graduation...

The G.I. Hill houses have all been removed now, and have been replaced with these modern dorm buildings. This one would be very close to where our house used to sit.

And this was the view looking out over the rooftops of the terrace below...

Back down on the main campus we are walking to what is known as "Earl Hall", and back in the day it was the "Eagles' Nest Canteen" and some classrooms, etc.  I believe it houses the Admissions offices today.

This is "LeTourneau Hall", the oldest girls' dorm.  As I said before, when we lived there, the dining hall was in the basement of this building.  Now those rooms house more students...

Now, this is a new building to all of us.  My son is explaining the history of it to us...When he was a student there he was a part of the founding group who formed the "Outdoor Club", which planned hikes and other "outdoor" activities for students.  They never had their own meeting area, and weren't even chartered to receive special funding or privileges as a club until later, but eventually they were recognized...and at some point in the recent past this lovely wilderness looking building was built to house a natural history museum from the region as well as provide meeting space for the "Outdoor Club".  Our son was really excited to see this, even though the building was closed while we were there since it is summer vacation time.

Back when our son was a student they used to take a lot of hikes, and one of the trails began here in these woods below, which is just behind that nice building:

I loved these Adirondack Chairs, embossed with the Toccoa Falls College emblem

They were situated around the wonderful wrap-around porch of this rustic building....

If you would like to know what my "dream house" would look like, this would be a great example:

Yep, I'd love to have one of those maple trees too!  Just sayin'....

Okay, back to the tour...  The "kids" are standing in front of a smaller waterfall on the campus, which is adjacent to the old original "power plant" that used to provide electricity for the campus many years ago...

You can see the pipeline where the water was channeled from the top of the mountain lake to the old turbine generators in the power house.  I forgot to take a picture of the old building...but it was very interesting...

Now we are on the trail to the waterfalls that made Toccoa Falls famous.
Our son is telling the story here about the terrible flood that took place on November 6, 1977.  For more information click HERE.   For an excellent book that tells the whole story, you can check out THIS BOOK, "Dam Break in Georgia". 

Here our son is explaining that this riverbed became a raging torrent and wall of water some 30 feet deep as it roared through the campus on that fateful night, killing some 39 people...

Thankfully, the dam that burst that night and the lake that was atop the mountain no longer exist, so that can never happen again...

Just a beautiful, peaceful, bubbling creek now...

As we rounded the bend in the trail, here is the breathtaking view of the falls as they plunge 186 feet to the rocks below....

Would you believe that hubby and I and also our son have all been to the top of these falls? There is a road up on the top that leads to it, but it is not easily accessible and definitely not recommended for the faint of heart.  I was much younger then...

Son and his beloved bride at the base of the falls...

Hubby and his beloved bride also at the base of the falls... (I never dreamed 48 years ago that one day we would be back here...but most especially that our son, whose very existence began on this "holy ground" would also not only come back here to graduate from college, and then come back so many years later to bring his own beloved bride!!!)

What a happy day this was for all of us.  Well worth the trip...just wish we had had more time to explore a little more...

This is a monument telling the story of the flood...

And this stone stands in "loving remembrance of those who lost their lives in the flood, November 6, 1977"... Heartbreakingly, because we had lived on this campus in the years 1970-71, many of these who perished in the flood were people that we had known and worked with.  It was only by the grace of God that we had moved away from there when we did, because we actually did not want to leave and had wanted to stay on and serve there...but God had other plans for us.  If we had continued on in the direction we were hoping, we could have been actually living in one of the dorms for the academy students, which stood down on the "lower valley of the creek", and it was totally washed away in the flood, killing those who lived there.  We don't always understand when God says "no" to us in our prayers...but I have learned to trust Him and try not to force something that apparently is not God's will...

It is not always easy to pray,  "not my will, but Thy will be done"....but we need to learn to be obedient to the whispers of God when He tells us :

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, 

says the Lord,

Thoughts of peace and not of evil, 

to give you a future and a hope."

Jeremiah 29:11

Had we not listened and obeyed, these two might not have ever come together!

Thank you for taking this tour with me today. If you ever have the opportunity to visit Toccoa Falls College and the waterfalls that are on the college campus, you will be amply rewarded by its serenity and beauty.  There is so much history here that will inspire you as well.  This school is known for so much more than what I've shared here. Many, many pastors, missionaries, teachers, and godly Christian young people have gone out into the world, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ wherever they go, as a result of the wonderful training and education they received here. If you know someone searching for a good education from a Christian perspective, please check out this college!!

Okay, that's all for tonight.

More tomorrow about our trip for Friday Foto Friends.

See you then!

A Quick Check In

Wanted to check in with you all and let you know that I am still "alive and well"...just trying to get caught up from our busy weekend, and also taking care of things this week concerning my mother in law.  As of this moment, she is still hanging in there...and perhaps has had what is known as a "rally" day today...where she perked up, sat up, recognized everyone, and was totally opposite the way she has been for the past week.  She is still not eating or drinking, and we know that her time of "departure" is near, but if you saw her today you would think she'd had a total reversal of her health for the better.

Because I felt like her behavior today was so atypical from how she has been for the past week, I looked up the following information and discovered that what we were observing was most likely  what is being described in this article:   https://www.agingcare.com/articles/when-loved-ones-rally-before-death-185452.htm    Time will tell, but I guess I am preparing myself for the inevitable, and feel that it will be sooner than later. Thank you for your prayers for our family as we walk through the "valley of the shadow of death."  We know that our Great Shepherd is with us, and He truly gives us His "rod and staff" to comfort us.  (Psalm 23)

I know many of you are wondering about our big weekend trip that we just took. If you are a Facebook friend, you've already seen a few photos from our journey.  I will try not to bombard you with too much at once, but will break it up into several different posts as I can.  You can bet that my camera was kept in action all weekend long.  My cousin even said to me, "You should have plenty of pictures for several weeks of Friday Foto Friends".  I was surprised that she actually was paying attention to that...and that made me feel good to know. Thank you, cousin Becky!!!

For tonight I think I will just concentrate on some pretty scenery photos from our trip rather than family/people/or too many details.  Eventually you'll get the full scoop...probably more than you even want to know!!

 "The Lord is my shepherd,

I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul

He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

Two of my lovely nieces as we walked to the creek on the family property

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

Toccoa Falls, Georgia

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever."

Psalm 23

Photos are from our walk in the woods at my niece's home/property in North Carolina,  as well as several photos from our journey to Toccoa Falls, Georgia.

I will be back in touch with you as I can this week.  Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers. I am so thankful for such friends....

Friday Foto Friends - Traveling On

Well, tomorrow is Friday Foto Friends day, and I am writing tonight (Thursday) since we will be hitting the road early tomorrow morning for our trip to N.C. for a family reunion, with stops in Atlanta, GA., to visit with my brother in the hospital, and also a stop at Toccoa Falls College so our son can show his bride where he went to college. Should be a wonderful day...praying for good weather and safe driving all the way.   (I should have some good pictures to share with you next week!)

Internet Photo of Toccoa Falls

Today was a bittersweet day as we paid a visit to my mother-in-law at the nursing home. I've shared already with you her current situation, and our dilemma...(click HERE for more about that if you missed the previous post)  The decision has been made to go ahead and go on our trip, and we are just trusting and praying that "Nanny" will be fine until we get back. We know she is getting good care where she is, and we also know if God calls her "home" she will get the very BEST care ever.

This evening we took a little walk about the neighborhood and found some of our "neighbors" also out for an evening stroll:

 Here's the first youngster wandering about seemingly alone...but look over at the edge of that tree on the far right...Yes, Mama is keeping a close watch on her baby...

 Well, how de do!  The whole family is out and about...left to right: Papa ,  baby one, baby two and Mama.  Not sure where that other family is with the third fawn...you remember...the one who kept getting left behind? I hope he is somewhere safe...

 They hurried over to go hide in the woods on the next property...

 But a few minutes later they came back to this same spot,  Look how the fawns are sticking close to Papa...or is it the other way around? 

 Hmmm, I think that Papa is telling me to get lost!!!!  (Have you ever heard what kind of noise the deer makes?  I never can really hear them, but apparently the fawns and other deer know what they are saying.)

And so I end this little tale with a sweet picture of Papa and the curious fawn...hard to believe how fast they are growing...and I love how the parents, especially the Papa deer care for their young...much like our heavenly Father cares for us.

Here's a few verses to ponder as we prepare for our journey tomorrow...and as we face the unknown future concerning our mother-in-law and also my brother...as well as so many others who are also going through trials and tribulations and health crisis...

Excerpts from Psalm 34

4.  "I sought the Lord, and He heard me,

and delivered me from all my fears.

5.  They looked to Him and were radiant,

and their faces were not ashamed.

6.  This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him,

and saved him out of all his troubles.

7.  The angel of the Lord encamps 

all around those who fear Him,

and delivers them.

8.  Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;

Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

9.  Oh fear the Lord, you His saints!

There is no want to those who fear Him."

15.  "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

and His ears are open to their cry."

17.  "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,

and delivers them out of all their troubles.

18.  The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,

and saves such as have a contrite spirit."

22.  "The Lord redeems the soul of His servants,

and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned."

Now on Friday morning you can travel on over to Deb's place at Breathing in Grace and see what our other Friday Foto Friends have been up to. I will check back in with you next week! Prayers for our journey are greatly appreciated.

Just-Happened to Events

This is another excerpt from the "book" I've been wanting to write about our life in ministry..."Giant Leaps of Faith and Other Crazy Moves".  It's been put on hold for now, but I see no reason not to share some of these stories with you in the meantime.  I would like to add this to the Random Journal Day entries for this month. (Check out other Random Journal Day entries here.)

Romans 8:28  “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

When we were newlyweds we moved to our first little apartment in Orlando, Florida. It was a charming upstairs “garage apartment”, but underneath in what I guess used to be a garage was another apartment.  Mrs. Bell lived downstairs, a sweet elderly widow who just loved to talk to us “youngsters”.  The funniest thing I remember about that place was that every night when we would go to bed, Mrs. Bell would start to play an electric organ rather loudly.  Our bedroom happened to be directly over her living room, which was where the organ happened to be.  It seemed as though she was attempting to “serenade” us to sleep…or maybe she was drowning out our “snoring”?  Anyway, she was funny and always chattered away at us every time we’d come downstairs, as if she was trying to keep from laughing about something. I guess we probably had embarrassed grins on our faces, being “newlyweds”.  It is a funny memory to this day.

 My husband John was in his senior year of college, and I was working full time in the accounting department of an insurance company.  The first major decision we faced was where to attend church.  Coming from two different denominational backgrounds, we began our search by attending different churches each week, looking for one that would help us both to grow and worship the Lord together in harmony.  After several weeks of "church-shopping", my husband “just happened to” run in to a distant relative of his who “just happened to” live nearby, (which we did not know about before-hand, and whom he had not seen in many years) and she suggested we try the "First … Church", which “just happened to be” down the street from us.  So we did...and we knew that our search had ended!  This church had everything we both needed and longed for in a good church.  We joyfully entered into the fellowship of that loving church family. 

Not long after we started attending this church, we noticed each Sunday that the older lady who lived across the street from us was going to and from church at the same time we were.  Then, lo and behold! We noticed that she “just happened to be” going to the same church! So we introduced ourselves to her, and our friendship with Esther P. began. 

Now, Esther was no ordinary neighbor and friend...she soon became like one of our family!  Her quick and intelligent mind found kinship with my like-minded husband rather rapidly.  Esther would come over to our house, and I would sit amazed as I listened to the two of them sharing Bible stories back and forth and discussing spiritual issues that I was only beginning to understand.  I came from a more liberal church background, and my spiritual growth was just beginning to mature since we started attending this church. So I mostly sat and listened, and learned.  Esther was a gifted teacher and a godly example to me.

Toccoa Falls, GA

During that first year of our marriage, Esther became more and more dear to us.  We looked to her for guidance in many matters, primarily...what to do with our lives.  My husband was graduating from college with a degree in education.  Esther “just happened to” know Dr. Julian Bandy, who was then the President of Toccoa Falls College, in Toccoa Falls, Georgia.  She told us that “it just so happened” that he would be in town later that week speaking at the "Youth for Christ" meeting, and that she was aware that there “just happened to be” a teaching position open at the High School Boarding Academy at Toccoa Falls...so to make a long story short, her kind introduction paved the way for us to begin our career in service to the Lord at a Christian school in the beautiful foothills of northeastern Georgia.

Thank You; Lord, for “just happening to” send Esther to us so early in our journey with You. Had it not been for her faithful witness, pointing us to You from the very beginning, we may have gotten off on the wrong track.   Help us to always be watching for the messengers and signposts that You “just happened to” have placed in our path throughout the rest of our life’s journey.    By the way, Lord, We know there are no “just happened to” coincidences with You!  Looking back, we can see Your Divine Plan in every “chance” meeting!  Thank you.      

Amen.