Canyonview ... A Milestone Indeed!

Beard & Corduroy Suit :)

 Some call it, ‘The Ditch’. With a gorgeous creek that runs through its core. Cabins, fields, a lake, horses, and children fill this place ~ simply called Canyon … View. And indeed it is!

It was late Spring or early Summer of 1981. Whether it was a potluck, a church event, or perhaps a barbecue … I do not remember. What I recall is that Karen and I had began considering life after the Air Force. Would we remain in the beautiful state of Alaska, and if not, where would we go, and why? Though my discharge was still a year away, we needed to begin planning for our fast approaching future. Would we continue along the military track, or make a change. And, if we changed … what would that look like.

~ Dr. Campbell ~

High on our list of considerations was attending a Bible College. Though Karen had never lived in the PNW … ‘Pacific Northwest’, she was very open to the idea of relocating there. In 1977 I had began my career as a firefighter with the Fremont National Forest, in Bly, Oregon. Frequently my days off were spent venturing particularly around the southern part of the state. With these travels, Oregon had indeed captured my heart, and I believed that it would do the likewise for Karen. So our search began throughout Oregon, Washington and even into British Columbia.

In steps Mark Sterns. Both Mark and our family had come to know each other as we transitioned from one church in Palmer, Alaska to another. Mark had begun receiving a monthly periodical called, ‘The Bible Expositor’. The 'Expositor' was essentially a monthly mini commentary from Bible Teaching Inc, or Canyonview Bible College, in Silverton, Oregon. Most of the articles were written by the President and Founder of the College, Ernie Campbell. Though both Karen and I had only become followers of Christ within the previous five years, the articles found in the ‘Expositor’ brought a definite enthusiasm and interest to dive further into the scriptures. To such extent that we began receiving the Expositor ourselves, and even ordered Dr. Campbell’s first commentary, on the book of Galatians. And since … We might become residents of Silverton, we began a subscription to their local newspaper … called, ‘The Silverton Appeal’.

 

Well … as they say, “The rest is history”. And a grand history that it was, and continues to be. Forty years ago today … Oh my goodness! Of all the significant milestones … crossroads … our two years at Canyonview Bible Seminary from 1982 through May 31, 1984, indeed stand within the top ten. The highlight was the special opportunity to become efficient in reading, translating and parsing the Greek New Testament. As mentioned in Proverbs 16:9, I count it a great honor and privilege that in the midst of our plans, God directed our steps to Canyonview in the early 1980’s.

Our days in ‘The Ditch’, will forever be fondly remembered as a key crossroads in our lives. Thanks to all who participated during those seminary days. And indeed for those who continue be active here in 2024. ... We pray God's rich blessing upon your lives. To Jeff, Barb, Jim, Cheryl, John, Denise, Mike, Sarah, Chuck, Debbie, Toby, Will, Doug, Phil, Renae, Sue, two Beth's, 'Flashlight' Gary, Steve, Mark, Nancy ... and ... I'm sure that I must be forgetting some. Thank you Lord for directing that season of our lives, when we converged onto that endearing 'Ditch'.  

 

'Drift Creek' ~ through Canyonview

 And, as Paul Harvey would say, "And now, the rest of the story"! ... When Mark left for Oregon early Fall of 1981, we asked, that after a few months, to send us an update of what he was learning and to tell about the surrounding area. More than two months went by, and we had not received such an update. After sending a letter to Mark, again the mailbox was empty. So, we attempted a different route. We sent him a 'Multiple Choice' letter. 'A' Are you in a Cult? ... 'B' Have you been taken by aliens? ... 'C' and so forth :) Mark did respond, just not according to our fun multiple choice. Ahhhh! Anyway, his answers were more than sufficient to make a final decision to attend Canyonview/Biblion Bible College. A decision that we NEVER regretted! And, by-the-way ... We were the first couple to take advantage of the two for one tuition offer. A savings of $1,500 per year. Yes! You read that correctly ... tuition was but a mere $1,500 per year per student. For $3,000 ... What an education!!!

 

And one last thought :) … Just one small glimmer of what that education from Canyonview Bible College/Seminary provided. An example through the power of words. And this … the most excellent word for this particular blog. That word is … παρακαλέω ~ A two part Greek word, παρα … beside, along side of ~ and, καλέω … to call. To call beside. In Romans 12:1, it is used as an appeal. Calling one, or many together to do what is right. As well, for example in I Thessalonian 5:18, or Colossians 4:8 … to encourage, or to comfort. Paul wanted the followers of Christ to be encouraged … to be comforted … to call them beside … place his arm around them … that regardless of the circumstances that currently surrounded them, or you, that they, and you can be encouraged. And so … I have been so very encouraged over these past forty years … through the appeal of scripture … and the urging of others … to continue the course, and be comforted until this very day. And then tomorrow … and then the next. And once again I say, “What an education”!

And in closing ... Might the 'Alaska' state flag proudly fly over the 'Ditch' once again :) Insiders joke

 

Canyonview Camp ~ Canyonview Press ~  

~ Ernie Campbell ~ Arvid Johanson ~ Dale Price

 

Her Endearing Memory

Mom with Zachary Alan - 1985

 I guess that this must be ‘Milestone’ month. Fifteen years ago this year my maternal grandmother died. I
wrote in May of 2021 a blog in tribute to her that is entitled, “Her Smile”. Later this week I will post another blog that dates back exactly forty years. And today ~ well, today marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of my mothers death. I’ve written many blogs on her behalf, so what to compose within this particular one?

I’m reminded of her dear love to my beautiful wife. Mom loved Karen, as she did all of her son’s and daughter-in-laws. And Karen always sensed her deep love. Our one regret is that we only had mom for the first ten years of our marriage. Oh how much we would have appreciated, how Karen would have appreciated additional caring conversations, and special times together.

Portland Rose Garden ... 1985

Fixing Brandi's Hair for our wedding

It was mom … making it a priority to attend our wedding, even though we were in Alaska at the time. Treating Karen (along with Brandi & Josh) with such tender love and attention. Being there for everything that Karen needed her for, yet never pushy or overbearing. As well, Mom was the one who said that she would like to fly up to Oregon for the birth of our youngest. Once again, attending so preciously to the needs that were Karen’s. Mom never made it about herself. And it was mom, who so gently encouraged Karen during our Ohio visit in their home. While Karen dealt with a serious and stressful moment over a scary situation with our children, mom provided just the ear to be listened too, comforting words, and the arm to embrace.

And it would be mom and dad both at our home, then on ‘Orchard’, for the great strawberry blunder. Or, would that be 'blender'? The Willamette Valley was a most perfect location for some of the most delicious berries within the United States, and Strawberries was no exception. So with berries placed into the blender … mom, dad, Karen, and the three kids … all waited for dad’s most heavenly strawberry shake. The taste buds were ready to be delighted on this most spectacular warm, blue sky summer afternoon.

Obvious ~ Right :)

Checking the status of the ‘shake-master’, Karen walked into the kitchen to discover that her guy was stirring his masterpiece with a wooden spoon while the blender was in full operation. With a quizzical look, she said, “You should probably turn the blender off when you’re stirring”. To which I calmly replied, “It’s ok, I’ve got a good grip”! Walking toward the backyard, the wooden screen door had barely closed, when … yeah, you saw this one coming, as did Karen. Oh … but was this an accident? The entire crew walked into our recently cleaned kitchen. With smiles of … ‘I told you so’. Only to find Rick, straw in hand … sipping the 'seemingly accidental' strawberry shake off of the clean kitchen counter top. Nearly forty years later … boy, was that one tasty shake. Too bad the rest of you didn’t get to try it :)

Thanks mom for these and many other ‘Endearing Memories’! They are fondly & eternally found within the recesses of our minds.