WILLIAM HOWARD & GLENN KOSIROG

Life’s Collision

Glenn and Debbie Kosirog came to College Church twenty years ago, and they needed help, support and a network. They found all three: at a welcoming class for newcomers lead by Neal and Joanna Conley and Jim (now with the Lord) and Freda Davis and in the STARS disability ministry and its caring community.

Connections, with William Howard, sat down with Glenn and talked about the ways God has been at work in his life.

Talk to us about your some of the blessings and challenges of raising a child with developmental disabilities. How do you think this affected your other children? We have five children. Nate taught high school for several years and is now a stay-at-home dad. He and his wife, Emily, live in Denver and have three boys. Hannah is a major in the United States Air Force and is stationed in Wichita. Justin is a doctor in Oklahoma City and is married to Rachel who is expecting their fourth child. Kendra is married to Karl, is a speech therapist, lives in Wheaton and just had their third child.

Christy, the youngest, is 25 years old. She was born with Down Syndrome and a heart defect. Christy benefitted so much by having four older siblings. The older kids were such a big help in caring for Christy. They rallied and were all on board. I believe each of the four older kids has become more tender because of Christy. Christy has impacted each of their lives. Nate and Emily have a passion for foster care and were recently able to adopt a little boy they had been caring for, who has his own special challenges to overcome.

When Hannah shared her testimony at her eighth-grade graduation, she told of Christy’s influence in her coming to faith in Christ. Justin’s story of why he wanted to be a doctor, includes the impact of Christy on his life. Kendra’s decision to be a speech therapist was greatly influenced by the years of speech therapy Christy received, watching her language develop, and Kendra trying to help Christy say different words. Tell us more about Christy. Often, I say Christy is our greatest challenge and our greatest reward. We learned Christy had a heart defect within 24 hours of Debbie’s emergency C-section. About a week later, we received the official diagnosis that Christy had Down syndrome. I remember telling God, “I can handle the heart issue but not the Downs.” The reverse is true for me now. The leakage from one of

Christy’s heart valves has increased, and I pray for her physical heart and her spiritual heart.

In her first year of life, Christy had three hospital stays. During the first hospitalization, we began to use a feeding tube to help her gain weight. Putting that feeding tube in became a whole family event. We learned to work together as a team—a couple of us to hold her still, others to get the supplies ready so we could move quickly, one to put the tube in through the nose and down the correct passageway, and another to encourage.

The other hospital stays were for surgeries involving Christy’s heart, which included open heart surgery at 10 months. God provided a wonderful cardiologist and surgeon.

Christy’s care impacted the family-owned pharmacy as we moved into being provider of medical equipment because we needed the equipment.

It is amazing to see how far God has brought Christy, how he has provided for her, protected her, and blessed others through her. I remember thinking we would not be able to ski together as a family—something we love to do, but through volunteer trainers at a Colorado outdoor education center that teaches those with special needs, Christy learned to ski. Christy also learned to ride a two wheeled bike—another family favorite activity.

Christy always wanted to be a nurse and help people. God provided over and above. Christy works 12 hours a week at the Wheaton Eye Clinic, gets to wear nurses’ scrubs, and can walk to work. She also enjoys working at the Stars Resale Shop once a week. Christy loves music, dance, acting, taking viola lessons, attending the STARS Family Services art studio, and of course, social times with the STARS. She is quite helpful with home chores such as laundry and mealtimes. Christy is good at finding activities she enjoys—puzzles, paper crafts, basketball or Frisbee.

Christy has routines that are hard to break, but she does surprise us. She keeps me on track with discipline. I need Christy more than she needs me, and she points me to the Lord every day.

I believe you are also associated with Caring Network.

I serve on the board of directors of Caring Network, which has a vision for twenty-five new clinics by 2025 to provide an alternative to Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers, and Illinois is the leading provider of abortions in the Midwest. Along with Caring Network clinics is a program called “Restore” that provides afterabortion care. It is designed to show the forgiveness, truth and joy of Jesus Christ. The scars left after having an abortion go much deeper than physical. There is deep mental, emotional and psychological pain. I will be receiving training to help men who have been involved with making the decision to abort a baby. For moms who decide to keep their baby and place them for adoption, we refer them to the Evangelical Child Family Agency that helps with adoption services.

At one point in your life, your commitments to your daughter, STARS and Caring Network collided with your profession as a pharmacist. Would you share with Connections what happened?

After receiving my pharmacy degree, Debbie and I moved to Chicago, and I worked with my dad in the two Kosirog Pharmacies my family owned. My dad wanted me to get more experience, so I worked part-time filling in at the VA Hospital downtown and then part-time for Walgreens, traveling to different stores. I was thankful when I went back to working full-time for my dad, especially after working at some Walgreens that filled more than 700 prescriptions a day.

Eventually the family pharmacy on Damen Avenue closed and I worked at the Kosirog Pharmacy on Western Avenue until it sold in January 2019. As a pharmacist, many customers would ask me for the morning after pill—and I would refer them to a pharmacy down the street. I was advised not to proselytize.

When the governor at that time mandated that pharmacists fill prescriptions for the morning after pill, another pharmacist and I joined in filing a suit against the governor. It was a long battle, about eight years. We lost several times in the lower courts. I remember walking around Springfield one time, crying out to God, “I don’t know where else to turn but you.”

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Life’s Collision continued

It was God’s battle, and he fought for me. God also provided for our case in surprising ways. One Sunday, as I served communion, another communion server came late, but it proved to be God’s timing and providing. A conversation began. By the end of the exchange, my fellow server, an attorney, came on board to represent us in filing a brief needed the very next week. At possibly the lowest point of the battle, when we were being persecuted in the media, out of the blue Mark Ramsey, an attorney from Washington DC, called. Mark had connections to Americans United for Life and to the American Center for Law and Justice. He wanted to represent us. We appealed on the right of conscience. The case went to the Illinois Supreme Court, and we won! The Illinois State Department of Health had previously given me an award for helping the women of Illinois as the number one provider of breast pumps for women. Yet there I was in court for denying women their health rights. Mark Ramsey used the award to help with defending the case. It was a turning point. And it was because of Christy that I had gotten into breast pump sales. When Christy was an infant, Debbie was pumping so much to have milk for Christy’s tube feedings. It’s amazing and awesome how God brings everything together. One more story. I was once asked to reverse the effects of the morning after pill. A mom changed her mind, and now wanted the baby. A Catholic nurse in California referred the woman to our pharmacy. There is a short window of time, about seventy-two hours, where this is possible. I prayed with the mom in the store, and nine months later she gave birth to healthy twin boys. Recently, the mom sent beautiful pictures of the boys heading off to their first day of preschool. Praise God!

What are ways we at College Church can become involved in sanctity of life issues or help in our disability ministries to encourage and care for young, teen and adult STARS? Pray, pray, pray that God will open opportunities to serve. There is a special place in God’s heart for widows, orphans, the unborn, the vulnerable, the handicapped, the least of these. They need support. Pray out of obedience. God will provide opportunities. We think these vulnerable adults and children need us, but we need them as they all point us to God in unique ways.

MILESTONES

MARRIAGES

Jasmine Aughenbaugh married Timothy McDunn at College Church on November 18. Tim is a regular attender of College Church. College Church member Jessica Johnson married Thomas Miller at College Church on Saturday, October 29.

College Church member Susanna Ramsden married Micah Roy on October 2. Ryan Kastilani and Sarah Jagrowski were married on September 30 in Woodville, Washington. Sarah is the daughter of College Church members Jerry and Laura Jagrowski.

BIRTHS

Julianna Joy was born to missionaries Stephen and Karis Rigby on November 12. Julianna joins her siblings Abigail, Eoin and Zaks. Victoria Noelle was born to Anthony and Abby Valerio on October 27. Victoria joins her big brothers Anthony and Michael. Isaiah Daniel was born to Karl and Kendra Bratt on October 23. Isaiah’s maternal grandparents are Glenn and Debbie Kosirog. Calvin Micah was born to Trent and Bridget Tovsen on October 4. Calvin joins his brother, Oliver. His maternal grandparents are Jeff and Alison Oslund.

DEATHS

Pray for Paul Robbins and family as they grieve the loss of Paul’s wife, Mary, who passed away on November 26.

Lois Erickson entered the presence of Jesus on November 19. Pray for her son, Kurt (Julia), and family as they grieve the loss of Lois. Pray for Jeff (Cheryl) Kirchman and family as they grieve the loss of Jeff’s mother, Carol, who passed away on November 4 in the Dekalb area. Pray for Carlos (Alex) Bell and family as they grieve the loss of Carolos’ father, Larry Bell Williams, who passed away on October 30. Pray for Linda (Paul) VanDerMolen and family as they grieve the loss of Linda’ mother, Rosemond Fik, who passed away on October 26.

Meet Your Leaders

KOLBY ATCHISON

WHERE I SERVE: board of deacons

WHY I SERVE: As a member of the body of Christ, I am committed to helping our church however I can. I am very grateful for College Church and the ways it has blessed my family.

THREE WORDS THAT BEST DESCRIBE

ME: loyal, hard-working, fun MY FAVORITE HANG-OUT SPACE: bike rides with my kids

ADRIENNE CASSEL

WHERE I SERVE: board of deaconess

WHY I SERVE: It helps me feel more connected and I want to serve the body of Christ.

THREE WORDS THAT BEST DESCRIBE

ME: friendly, loyal, family-oriented

MY FAVORITE HANG-OUT SPACE:

anywhere in the mountains or on my backyard swing

LIBBY NEWTON

WHERE I SERVE: board of deaconess. I have previously served on the hospitality committee and have taught in Kids’ Harbor Bible school WHY I SERVE: I want to serve and support members of the College Church community. Additionally, it has been a wonderful way to meet new people and learn about

ministries here at church.

THREE WORDS THAT BEST DESCRIBE ME:

caring, steadfast, patient MY FAVORITE HANG-OUT SPACE: at my family’s lake house in Eagle River, Wisconsin

ASHLEY GOSSELIN

WHERE I SERVE: nursery and in HYACKs (the high school ministry) WHY I SERVE: I’m called to serve as a part of the church body, and I enjoy being a part of both the little ones and the but with the high school students.

THREE WORDS THAT BEST DESCRIBE

ME: adventurous, loyal, dependable MY FAVORITE HANG-OUT SPACE: my home

God Centered Life

the media ministry of College Church, features the Bible teaching of Pastor Josh, both online and on the radio. This exciting ministry with a global reach continues to grow in impact. Here in the US, the program is heard on the radio in about 70 locations. Globally, the ministry also has a mission impact. The teaching is heard online through the OnePlace and TWR360 platforms, which have extensive listenership outside North America. Imagine! More than 35,000 people have been touched with some form of gospel content through this outreach of our church, either an online audio message, a spiritually encouraging article, or a devotional reading. You can listen locally on Moody Radio (WMBI) at 10 p.m. M-F and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday and can have daily devotionals delivered right to your inbox. Your prayers and partnership with this ministry are greatly appreciated.

godcenteredlife.org

The Charm Bracelets

Pat Cirrincione

While watching our two oldest granddaughters a few months ago, the youngest, Katie, asked if I would help her straighten out her bedroom. Little did I know what I was getting myself into as I gazed upon a room that made me think: “Oh no! My granddaughter has turned into a hoarder!” Stuffed animals everywhere, books all over the place, dolls and their various paraphernalia lying on her bed and the bunk bed above hers, art projects covering her dressers. Where to begin I quietly shrieked to myself! Take a deep breath, the Lord said, smile and tackle one group of things at a time.

Okay, I can do that, and then Katie and I talked about a plan of attack. First, we organized all the stuffed animals, then we weeded out her books and straightened out her bookshelves (the weeded books would be handed down to her younger cousins). Next, we cleared the furniture of all but the most valued art projects and threw out the rest, and then placed all the dolls in their respective homes. We threw the garbage out. The last item to investigate was this little square box that now sat prominently on the main dresser, once we cleared it of various and sundry items. In this box were charms for a bracelet, but minus the bracelet to attach them to. How could this be? Well, it could be because Katie didn’t realize they could be attached to anything, let alone a bracelet! Looking at those charms prompted me to do

something when I got home. I pulled out all my charm bracelets and took a walk down memory lane.

My very first charm was an airplane I received from my parents. It came with a note saying they were sending me on my senior class trip to Washington, D.C. Looking at this, plus all the charms on my various charm bracelets, made me see images in my mind that had not faded, but some had even grown stronger in time.

The dominant theme that kept creeping into my head was one of nostalgia, which can be the gift that keeps giving. Even with all the accelerated progress and movements in our lives, these charms provided ample opportunity for remembrance, and the lamentation or celebration of things past.

As I kept gazing at, and touching each charm, I began to realize (yet again) how blessed I was. I have visited at least twenty-six states, two countries and three large amusement parks. Several of my bracelets hold two high school class rings (mine and my mom’s); one holds her baby ring. One holds an old boyfriend’s ring (whoops! Should have given that back!). There are Christmas charms, a charm with our wedding date, and charms in the shape of birth certificates for each of our sons. There is a high school diploma charm and football, basketball and soccer charms. Also hanging from one bracelet is a Sweet Sixteen charm and a Friend’s Forever one from my friends in college. There was a charm of a race car, bringing back memories of going to the racetracks and reminding me of how I occasionally drag raced down Route 83 in the days before shopping malls and office buildings and no stop lights. You could cruise down Route 83 all the way to Route 66. Then there are my Harlequin charms from my time on the stage, and a pen and quill for my writing dreams. There’s even a music charm for winning “most improved voice” when I sang with Sweet Adelines. So many fun memories. Each one could conjure a story, and all I can say is thank you to God for the wonderful memories of people, places and things.

“The dominant theme that kept creeping into my head was one of nostalgia, which can be the gift that keeps giving.”

Then I began to wonder as I had wandered. At this time of year, as Christmas approaches, what would Mary’s, (the mother of Jesus), charm bracelet have held? Would there be an ankle charm? A baby charm? A star charm? A charm of shepherds and sheep? Of Magi from the east? A charm with a lock of hair from her firstborn, Jesus? A donkey? A cross? We know from Luke 2:51 that “…his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.” From her time of conception, until she died, Mary kept her memories not on a bracelet, but in her heart. What a blessing, what a life so full of watching miracles performed, of seeing her son walk and talk among his people. Of seeing him touch so many lives. What can compare to this? Nothing.

May I ask you to do something this most blessed of seasons? If you’ve got charm bracelets or old photos languishing in a box, pull them out this Christmas and share them and their stories with your family. Don’t be surprised if some of them aren’t interested but do enjoy the fun of sharing your past memories with those who will enjoy hearing the stories, as well as your telling of them.

Far better than the stories behind charm bracelets or old photos is Mary’s story that, through God’s grace, has become our story to declare again and again to future generations.

Katie’s room has returned to a jumble of stuffed animals, books, and dolls, but soon it will have a bracelet to place those charms on, in that little square box somewhere on her dresser.

Merry Christmas.

NEW LEADERS NEEDED Seeking new leaders to start new groups in the new year. COME TO OUR TRAINING LUNCH If you are a current leader or think this might be for you, come to our January 8 lunch in Commons Hall.

Sign up today via the QR code or by visiting http://bitly.ws/xmkK If you have questions, email Josue at jalvarado@college-church.org.