Today the Bible college we attended, The Lutheran Bible Institute which became Golden Valley Lutheran College our second year, is celebrating 100 years after it was established, at the old campus in Golden Valley MN. where Joel and I met. The school itself, closed in 1985. We had wanted to attend today's festivities and the gathering at the home of two graduates last night. Unfortunately, I am not fully recovered from the mastectomy so we are left here at home with our memories. And we have so many!
When I was 18 I was not sure what my future would hold, but my sister who helped raise me and her friend Marian suggested that I go to The Lutheran Bible Institute. LBI was a two year program of studying the Bible. Most of the professors were pastors or missionaries. The campus was beautiful with a small pond centered in the middle surrounded by the main building, a boys dorm and two girls dorms. I started school there in the fall of 1966.
Joel had gotten his AA degree in wildlife management and even though he planned to work outside in wildlife, his mom suggested he go to LBI and it sounded interesting to Joel so off he went in 1966. It was there that we met, were "prayed together" and married a couple of weeks after graduating in 1968. The college was affectionately known as "The Lutheran Bridal Institute" since so many couples met their spouses on this campus.
LBI is where we studied the Bible in depth. What we learned added greatly to the foundation of our faith and led Joel to continue thinking seriously about going to the seminary. Actually, both our goals were to go on the mission field in Africa, but over the years God had other plans.
Our second year at LBI the school became known as Golden Valley Lutheran College. They brought in more regular classes. We took classes like advanced typing and accounting, Psychology, etc. I graduated with an AA degree in Parish Work and Joel in Bible.
We were part of the LBI/GVLC choir and traveled mostly to churches to perform, spending our nights in the homes of those who volunteered to have us. In the summer of 1967 Joel was able to go with the choir to Europe and perform in churches there including St. Peter's Cathedral, In the Spring of 1968 we both went on a choir tour down through the south all the way to Florida and the Bahamas. It was a fascinating and eye opening experience to be in the deep south in the late 60's......
LBI/GVLCas was a small but significant Lutheran college that shaped the faith of many young adults, including us. We are so grateful it was the place that brought us together, deepened our faith, and sent us out to proclaim Jesus. We may not have been able to go to the reunion this weekend, but we are filled with memories that are making us smile and give thanks!
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