Subj: Crawford and Mitchell Addresses
Date: 9/17/2001 9:28:36 AM Pacific Daylight Time
From:    Alumni_Update@montreat.edu
Reply-to: bgraham@montreat.edu
To:    Alumni_Update@montreat.edu



Many of you have requested contact information for Dr. Crawford and Dr.
Mitchell. I have included mailing addresses below. Dr. Crawford is
gravely ill and so therefore cards would be the appropriate way to
support the family. His prognosis is grave and we must pray for he and
his family as they prepare for the inevitable. I will keep you posted if
I hear anything.  Thank you for your continued prayers....

Jack and Sylvia Crawford
P.O. Box 757
Eustis, FL 32727-0757


Donald R. Mitchell
10225 Willowhurst Court
Charlotte, NC 28210-7242

Bob Graham '93
Director of Alumni Affairs

Montreat College
Box 1267
Montreat, NC 28757
828.669.8012 Ext. 3703
800.849.3347
www.montreat.edu/alumni
 
Subj: Update on Jack Crawford!
Date: 9/21/2001 6:22:01 AM Pacific Daylight Time
From:    Alumni_Update@montreat.edu
Reply-to: bgraham@montreat.edu
To:    Alumni_Update@montreat.edu



I received the following update by email and wanted to pass it on to you
all...

Will keep these people in my prayers.  I am in contact with Dr.
Crawford's daughter, Ellen.  They gave him 24 hours to live on
Saturday--guess they don't know everything. Ellen said her father was
moved to hospice today.  Sometimes he makes sense and sometimes he
doesn't.  They will have a memorial service here when the time comes.
The doctors said he could hang on a while or go at any time. Our prayers
are especially needed at this time.  Kim Norton

Let's continue to keep Jack, Sylvia and their family in our prayers.

Bob
 
Subj: Message from Jack Crawford's Daughter
Date: 9/21/2001 6:24:19 AM Pacific Daylight Time
From:    Alumni_Update@montreat.edu
Reply-to: bgraham@montreat.edu
To:    Alumni_Update@montreat.edu



The following is a message from Jean Crawford Briscoe, daughter of Dr.
Jack Crawford:

THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR CONCERN; OUR FAMILY APPRECIATES THE SUPPORT AND OUTPOURING OF LOVE THE ALUMS ARE SENDING DAD'S WAY.  HE IS HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL, UNDER HOSPICE CARE, RESTING COMFORTABLY WITHOUT PAIN, SURROUNDED BY HIS FAMILY DURING HIS LAST FEW DAYS.  IT HAS BEEN SUCH A BLESSING TO BE ABLE TO BRING HIM HOME TO HIS LOTTLE KINGDOM, HWERE HE SEES AND ENJOYS THE THINGS AND PEOPLE WHICH MEAN THE MOST TO HIM:  HIS OWN BED, HIS OWN CLOTHES, HIS FAVORITE BOOKS, HIS CHILDREN, HIS DEVOTED WIFE ( WHO RARELY LEAVES HIS SIDE AND WAS OVERJOYED TO BE ABLE TO LIE DOWN BESIDE HIM ONCE MORE IN THEIR OWN BED...).

WE ARE TOLD HE WILL SLIP INTO A COMA IN THE NEXT TWO OR THREE DAYS, DUE TO THE BREAKDOWN OF HIS SYSTEM, WILL JUST SLIP AWAY AS THOUGH INTO A SLEEP - WHAT A BLESSING - WHEN WE ALL THOUGHT HE WOULD END UP BEING A HOOD ORNAMENT TO A MACK TRUCK DURING ONE OF HIS LONG BIKE RIDES!  WE BLESS THE LORD FOR HIS CONINTUING GOODNESS AND GRACIOUS NESS TO US TO GIVE US BACK OUR DADDY DURING HIS LAST DAYS - HE WAS MENTALLY 'GONE' - ON A LONG TRIP TO STRANGE PLACES' HE SAYS.  he IS CONVERSING WELL AND READY TO REACH HIS HAND OUT TO PLACE IT IN THAT OF HIS SAVIOUR AS HE GOES TO HIS NEW AND ETERNAL HOME.

MANY THANKS FOR ALL THE PRAYERS - KEEP US ALL IN THEM; SOME OF US ARE 'NOT RESIGNED' TO OUR PAIN YET, THOUGH WE ACKNOWLEDGE GOD'S WORK IN ALL THIS.

PLEASE PRAY ESPECIALLY FOR MOTHER (SYLVIA) AS SHE IS LOSING HER BEST FRIEND AND LIFELONG LOVE.  GOD'S BLESSING ON ALL.


                SINCERELY, JEAN CRAWFORD BRISCOE

 
Subj: A Letter from Jean Crawford Briscoe...
Date: 9/24/2001 10:43:32 AM Pacific Daylight Time
From:    Alumni_Update@montreat.edu
Reply-to: bgraham@montreat.edu
To:    Alumni_Update@montreat.edu
CC:    Staff-Faculty@montreat.edu (Staff-Faculty)




The following is a note from Jean Crawford Briscoe (Daughter of Dr. Jack
Crawford) that she has asked me to forward to you all. If you would like
to pass along a note
to Jean or Dr. Crawford, please reply to this email and I will collect
and forward to Jean. I have forwarded all the ones received thus far so
there is no need to resend
them. Please use the reply feature as this will make things easier for
me. We will continue to lift Dr. Crawford up in prayer and thank God for
this friend who has
blessed so many of us over the years!

FROM JEAN CRAWFORD BRISCOE: Mr. Graham, thank you so very much for the
precious notes you have sent our way.  We so appreciate hearing from
everyone - Dad has truly enjoyed his dying (if one may say such),
because God has blessed him with a regained consciousness, enough energy
to communicate with those around him (though he has lost his voice - can
anyone imagine Dr. Crawford unable to TALK?), the comfort of being HOME
and surrounded by those who love him,  the gifts of a loving and caring
community - from soups and broth to the loan of a home for extra family
members who came to say their goodbyes.
Dad remains weak, but still enjoys his half cup of coffed twice a day.
He is eating a little and drinking some juices, sleeping in his own bed
in his own home, watching tv and reading magazines and the so-many
letters and cards which loving and caring people have sent to him.  He
was given the gift of time, too: he was supposed to have died (RE the
doctors and the specialists) ten days ago.  AT that time, he was hooked
up to many tubes, with needles poking every functional vein, tubes in
his nose, mouth and practically every other place one can imagine - and
he was miserable, in great pain, all systems shutting down, his mind
'gone'.  He was taken home (at my pleading) to die - and God blessed him
with the return of his mind, some of his functions, and the extra time
he needed to begin to comprehend the path laid out before him.  As he
continually said to me, "It's only been two WEEKS!" - meaning two weeks
since he even started feeling weak, when he found out he had cancer!  He
wasn't ready to die; he has enjoyed life so very much - and I know he
remembers each and every one of the students with whom he ever dame in
contact.  His phenomenal memory and caring for each one is still a very
strong force in him - which is why these notes and letters will give him
such tremendous pleasure!
Please convey our thanks - and this note, if you will - to the Montreat
pipeline.  We are truly blessed to be a part of such a loving and caring
network of friends and Christian family.  Think what a fantastic reunion
awaits us in HEAVEN!!!  Blessings to you all.

Gratefully,

Jean Crawford Briscoe
 
Subj: Homecoming starts Thursday!
Date: 10/1/2001 2:06:14 PM Pacific Daylight Time
From:    Alumni_Update@montreat.edu
Reply-to: bgraham@montreat.edu
To:    Alumni_Update@montreat.edu
CC:    Staff-Faculty@montreat.edu (Staff-Faculty)



Well, we're just three days away from the official start of Homecoming!
Everything is ready to go (we hope) and we're anticipating exceptional
fall weather. So if you're coming it will be a perfect weekend, but you
will need a sweater and a jacket! We have also updated the web site for
this week and you can see the beginnings of spirit week in pictures. The
website will be updated frequently and by Thursday we will have
galleries of photos posted several times a day as well as live web cams
so you can visit campus and see what's happening live! We hope you will
be here this weekend, but if not join us online at
www.montreat.edu/alumni <http://www.montreat.edu/alumni>  It's the next
best thing!

See ya soon...

Bob

Bob Graham '93
Director of Alumni Affairs

Montreat College
Box 1267
Montreat, NC 28757
828.669.8012 Ext. 3703
800.849.3347
www.montreat.edu/alumni
 
Subj: It's show time!
Date: 10/4/2001 7:37:36 AM Pacific Daylight Time
From:    Alumni_Update@montreat.edu
Reply-to: bgraham@montreat.edu
To:    Alumni_Update@montreat.edu
CC:    Staff-Faculty@montreat.edu (Staff-Faculty)



Well, here we go with another exciting Homecoming! Be sure to tune in
via the Alumni Connection web site at www.montreat.edu/alumni
<http://www.montreat.edu/alumni>  for a chance to participate in
Homecoming from wherever you are in the world. We will have two live web
cams as well as photo galleries posted starting this evening. Also,
there is a bulletin board online where you can post messages to those
here and those who can't be here. There are dozens of messages already
posted so be sure and drop by and read them and say hi to all your
friends. We'll have computers available on campus for Homecoming
participants to use as well. Below is a picture from campus of our
students (and President Hurt) participating in Wacky Tacky day as a part
of Spirit week. I thought you might enjoy it!  Hope you all have a great
weekend and we look forward to seeing you at Homecoming either in person
or on the web!


God bless...

Bob

Bob Graham '93
Director of Alumni Affairs

Montreat College
Box 1267
Montreat, NC 28757
828.669.8012 Ext. 3703
800.849.3347
www.montreat.edu/alumni
 
Subj: Live from Homecoming
Date: 10/5/2001 7:06:51 AM Pacific Daylight Time
From:    Alumni_Update@montreat.edu
Reply-to: bgraham@montreat.edu
To:    Alumni_Update@montreat.edu
CC:    Staff-Faculty@montreat.edu (Staff-Faculty)



If you are trying to view the webcams from the Montreat College
homecoming and are having difficulty, check that you have Java enabled
in your Internet Options. The second webcam is portable and will be
available periodically as we have events to cover.

To get the most current galleries, be sure and refresh your browser
periodically. Hope you enjoy!

Bob

Bob Graham '93
Director of Alumni Affairs

Montreat College
Box 1267
Montreat, NC 28757
828.669.8012 Ext. 3703
800.849.3347
www.montreat.edu/alumni
 
Subj: Live Web Video
Date: 10/5/2001 8:56:57 AM Pacific Daylight Time
From:    Alumni_Update@montreat.edu
Reply-to: tmcmurtry@montreat.edu
To:    Alumni_Update@montreat.edu



We apologize for the trouble you may have had in accessing the video
feed.  I have corrected the problem on campus.  If you tried the link
and were unsuccessful, please try again.  Also, you must have Java
support enabled on your browswer.

Tom

Tom McMurtry, MCDBA, MCSE
Director of Campus-wide Technology
Montreat College
828-669-8012 x3654
efax number:253-736-8522
http://www.montreat.edu
 
Subj: A Letter from Jack Crawford...
Date: 10/8/2001 1:52:13 PM Pacific Daylight Time
From:    Alumni_Update@montreat.edu
Reply-to: bgraham@montreat.edu
To:    Alumni_Update@montreat.edu
CC:    ahm33@juno.com ('ahm33@juno.com'), mpc@buncombe.main.nc.us ('mpc@buncombe.main.nc.us'), tracyt@montreat.org ('tracyt@montreat.org')



The following was received today from Jean Crawford Briscoe...


Dear Mr. Graham,
I so appreciate your asking about Dad and Mom; I have just this moment
received a letter from Dad which he asks me to send to you and, through
you, to all the Montreat people.  It is rather long, but it is, as he
puts it, "For Thanksgiving, Christmas-time, year's end, and the good New
Year of 2002:"  It is to replace all those letters he WOULD have
answered and written at those times, and he is remembering with fondness
and gratefulness the many friends who have reached out to him and Mom at
this time.

Dear Friends:
   
Toward the end of August, 2001, certain weaknesses in Jack's (my) legs
and some pains prompted us to invite the medical people to have a look
at me.  They returned after scans, etc. with long faces.  More tests!
Around Sept. 12th, all our family was summoned to unite at Eustis,
Florida, since it was accepted that I, Jack, would probably leave my
earthly home within twelve hours. The family descended like bees...first
swarming, then taking over a number of daily chores. "My memories of
this time are few, gray, and frightening.  They certainly have something
to do with Dante's "Inferno" and bad smells.  About three weeks ago, we
were allowed to transfer me from the hospital into our own spread-out
home (where it took me about a week just to recognize the place where
our daily life went on!).  I had heard often about people who had
cancer; now I am one of them, with about six sources dribbling evil
juices or whatever throughout my battered and increasingly skinny
carcass.  Nerves creak and groan, while tiny wrists attempt to carry on
the normal tasks of the past. As I write, we have already entered the
month of October.  The deadline of three weeks ago has long since passed
by; the afflicted (yours truly) keeps on "pecking", not quite to the
swimming level, but up to answering some mail... Evidences of serious
prayer on our behalf have multiplied, and memories of past students,
colleagues, fellow-missionaries, have been warmly stirred.  An important
decision has been made:  the MEDCOR (Mountain Meditations) calendar -
unless some swift decisions are made in a month or two) for 2002 will be
history's last.  There are still a few available through our home office
($7.50, postpaid).  I shall miss the friendly calls, the sharing of
business and life... It is hard to cut off after 29 years! "Other future
plans must be made, seized, and carried out rapidly, according to God's
permission and will.  We cannot see the future, but we trust the ONE who
holds that future.  We hope that the general tendency (recovery or
otherwise) will become evident as we move from day to day. As parents,
Sylvia and I must raise high the tribute due our children
ande THEIR children:  Allen, Brenda, and the boys made it in on short
notice from Manila, the Philippines, to gather around my hospital bed
three weeks ago, when told I was not expected to live. Jean, Robert, and
their crew of four came in from Greenville, S.C.; Mark came in from
Raleigh, NC (serving in the Legislature); and Ellen, Jacek, and Kristina
descended from Black Mountain, NC. All jumped into the work and have
helped us get back afloat in terms of taking care of me.  Sylvia remains
faithfully at my side, surrounding me with love and care. Please keep up
your prayers for us both; their effects are already felt.
Thank you, and may God bless and strengthen every one of you.  We hold
you dear to our hearts."
Gratefully, Jack and Sylvia Crawford


Now from me, again (Jean):  I thank you so much for passing this on to
our extended family.  They have all stood by us faithfully this past
month, and it has often been an encouraging and loving word from one of
them which has served to comfort us as we seek the best way to wait with
and care for our father!
God bless you all - please do continue to pray for both mother and
father!  Dad is back in mind and spirit, though somewhat affected in
short-term memory.  His voice has returned, though weak; his humour is
just as unique as always!  He remains cheerful and happy to be in his
own home.  He manages to get up out of bed for a few hours a day,
reading, watching television, talking with (or listening to - depending
upon his voice level) visitors.  He loves to wander into his office and
carry on with the detail work/paperwork at which he excelled.  He takes
oxygen through a nasal tube and some medications introduced
intra-nasally as well.  It is SUCH a blessing to be able to converse
with him by phone - just like "old times" which, if we think about it,
we realise were only a month or so ago!  How quickly life changes - and
how precious it is! Mother holds up well; ever courageous, ever loving.
She is facing a future unimagined before September, but she, too, is
clinging to OUR FATHER'S hand. Sopmetimes, she is very tired, but
lately, with the return of Dad's mind and voice and his independent
spirit, she is grateful and very, very happy to have more time with him.
Please lift her up daily in your prayers. We are more grateful than we
can say for so many things:  for this extra
time; for the grace extended to us in all this; for the return of Dad's
mind; for the miracle that is the physical body; for daily miracles,
worked in many things; for healing; for each and every precious day of
life on this earth; for the many things we have learned about each other
in the family - unexpected strengths arose in each of my siblings, and I
was proud to know them, even more to be related to them!
Thank you so much for being our extended family!  It is well with our
soul- pass it on!  God be with you.
   
Jean Crawford Briscoe

p.s.  Mom wants you all to know that Dad looks good and has gained a few
pounds, and that he only has ONE source of medication, now! :))
 
Subj: Prayers needed for Bonnie Lundblad and Lenore Saunders...
Date: 10/9/2001 10:20:29 AM Pacific Daylight Time
From:    Alumni_Update@montreat.edu
Reply-to: bgraham@montreat.edu
To:    Alumni_Update@montreat.edu
CC:    Staff-Faculty@montreat.edu (Staff-Faculty)



We have all seen the power of prayer in the life of Jack Crawford as he
has been given more time in his battle with cancer. Now I am asking that
we also include Bonnie Lundblad and Lenore Saunders. Bonnie has taught
English at Montreat College for over 30 years and has been battling
cancer for the past several years. She has taken a turn for the worse
and is at home. I have no way to forward messages to her but cards can
be sent to her at:

Bonnie Lundblad
Eight Lynmar Avenue
Asheville, NC  28804

Also, I just found out that Lenore Saunders who was Registrar at the
college for many years is critically ill in a hospital in Atlanta, GA. I
don't have any more information at this time and no way to forward
messages to her but our prayers will help!

Many have asked how to send cards to Jack Crawford so I am including his
address for those of you who wish to do so.

Jack Crawford
P.O. Box 757
Eustis, FL 32727

Thanks for continuing to lift these special people up to the Lord in
prayer!

Bob

Bob Graham '93
Director of Alumni Affairs

Montreat College
Box 1267
Montreat, NC 28757
828.669.8012 Ext. 3703
800.849.3347
www.montreat.edu/alumni
 
Subj: More information on Lenore Saunders...
Date: 10/10/2001 12:42:35 PM Pacific Daylight Time
From:    Alumni_Update@montreat.edu
Reply-to: bgraham@montreat.edu
To:    Alumni_Update@montreat.edu



Following is the latest info we have on Lenore Saunders that was
obtained by our alum Kris Krepps who works in a hospital in Atlanta.
Thanks Kris.


I found Lenore Saunders.  She is quite ill.  I spoke with her son Les,
and he said her words were  "I am looking forward to going home." That
is the message she wants folks to have. To mail a card, send it in care
of Piedmont Hospital  1968 Peachtree Rd.  Atlanta GA 30309 She is not in
a position to take phone calls right now.
Les Saunders, however, is asking for prayer for his wife Cindy. She is
on the kidney transplant list and they both would value some Montreat
prayers.
Thanks in advance for the prayers!
Kris Krepps