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Newsletter
I OCTOBER 2010
A Life That Makes A Difference
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"How do you account for your remarkable accomplishment in life?" Queen Victoria of England asked Helen Keller. "How do you explain the fact that even though you were both blind and deaf, you were able to accomplish so much?"
Ms. Keller's answer is a tribute to her dedicated teacher. "If it had not been for Anne Sullivan, the name of Helen Keller would have remained unknown."
Speaker Zig Ziglar tells about "Little Annie" Sullivan, as she was called when she was young. Little Annie was no stranger to hardship. She was almost sightless herself (due to a childhood fever) and was, at one time, diagnosed as hopelessly "insane" by her caregivers. She was locked in the basement of a mental institution outside of Boston. On occasion, Little Annie would violently attack anyone who came near. Most of the time she generally ignored everyone in her presence.
An elderly nurse believed there was hope, however, and she made it her mission to show love to the child. Every day she visited Little Annie. For the most part, the child did not acknowledge the nurse's presence, but she still continued to visit. The kindly woman left cookies for her and spoke words of love and encouragement. She believed Little Annie could recover, if only she were shown love.
Eventually, doctors noticed a change in the girl. Where they once witnessed anger and hostility, they now noted an emerging gentleness and love. They moved her upstairs where she continued to improve. Then the day finally came when this seemingly "hopeless" child was released.
Anne Sullivan grew into a young woman with a desire to help others as she, herself, was helped by the loving nurse. It was she who saw the great potential in Helen Keller. She loved her, disciplined her, played with her, pushed her, and worked with her until the flickering candle that was her life became a beacon of light to the world. Anne Sullivan worked wonders in Helen’s life, but it was a loving nurse who first believed in Little Annie and lovingly transformed an uncommunicative child into a compassionate teacher.
"If it had not been for Anne Sullivan, the name of Helen Keller would have remained unknown." But if it had not been for a kind and dedicated nurse, the name of Anne Sullivan would have remained unknown. And so it goes. Just how far back does the chain of redemption extend? And how far forward will it lead?
Those you have sought to reach, whether they be in your family or elsewhere, are part of a chain of love that can extend through the generations. Your influence on their lives, whether or not you see results, is immeasurable. Your legacy of dedicated kindness and caring can transform lost and hopeless lives for years to come.
You can never overestimate the power of your love. It is a fire that, once lit, may burn forever. -
--Steve Goodier |
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“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.” |
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KINDNESS |
“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
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Words of Wisdom |
Kindness is the oil that takes friction out of life.
We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey. .
--Stephen Covey
The first great gift we can bestow on others is a good example.
--Thomas Morell
I thank God for my many handicaps. For through them, I have found myself, my work and my God.
--Helen Keller
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LETTER FROM THE ISF DIRECTORS
Dear International Friend,
Greetings to you from International Student Fellowship. It is hard to believe that another year will almost be gone. Once the autumn season arrives here in Pittsburgh and school is back in session things seem to slow down a little before the holiday rush begins. October is always a time to enjoy the beauty around us. It also makes us think of the seasons of life. Each of us need to take the time to look over what we have experienced and accomplished in this life. It is truly a time of reflection and that can only occur when you choose to step back from the pressure and busy activity of everyday living to just stop and think and ponder.
Many of you know that our children are all grown and we are “empty nesters.” When they were at home we were pretty busy and maybe at times too busy. We will be honest enough to admit that looking back we would have spent more time just listening to what our children had to say and trying to understand the challenges they were facing. We know their generation has experienced things we never dreamed of in both positive and negative ways. So as we enter this fall season of our lives, more than ever we want to be sensitive to the needs around us and to be careful to hear the voices of our grandchildren and what they have to say. Take time to pause and see if this may be an area in your life that needs improved. You can be a friend to someone today. Tomorrow may be too late to help a fellow neighbor or to listen to a voice calling for your advice or compassion.
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--Terry & Pam Tiberio, ISF Directors
October 15th ISF Gathering
We would like to invite you to our October ISF Gathering. This gathering will be on Friday, October 15th at 7:30 PM in the Ballroom of the William Pitt Union. The William Pitt Union is located in Oakland on the corner of Bigelow and Fifth Avenue.
Robert Pelton, whom many of you know, will be the speaker at this gathering so please come and invite your friends. Also we will have our full course meal, warm fellowship, singing, and the children will be having special activities in a separate room. It’s all free!
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ISF SEPTEMBER GATHERING (September 10th, 2010)
88 present, from 7 countries: Bosnia. China, Egypt, Hungary, Macedonia, South Korea, USA.
Hope to see you at the October ISF Gathering on October 15th at the
William Pitt Union
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