Remembering Norma Alloway

Today marks the 99th birthday of Norma Marion Alloway, Trinity Western University’s library namesake. Norma Alloway was a woman of faith who expressed her love for Christ in books, poetry, and anecdotal articles. She touched many lives throughout her various ministries, and sought to bring people together to share in both the joys and hurts of life. 

On November 9, 1994, the TWU Library was re-dedicated, and named in honour of Norma Marion Alloway.

The following work is from “‘The Ponder Box” which was a column in a newspaper dedicated to sharing anecdotes which relate personal faith to everyday living.

Foundations

Greetings once again fellow ponderers,

As these thoughts are shared with you the ice has just gone out on Lake Rosseau, and the tuneful and colourful harbingers of spring have returned to the bird feeder, Evidences of dock erosion and deer invasion are clinging reminders of winter’s contests, but the spring sun­shine is bringing brightening encouragement.

Our winter project this year was the laying of dock foundations for a new boat house. Clear cold days provided ice support for the vehicles and people involved, and the pre­parations have now been completed. Very shortly another crew will arrive to build the superstructure.

It’s a picture of life, isn’t it, as we build on foundations laid down by others.

I remember a presentation made by our daughter Heather to the company directors when the decision was made to change the company name to Cairn Capital Inc. She explained the significance of the name CAIRN, using the analogy of a mountain climber reaching the peak and adding his stone to the cairn of stones already created there by previous climbers. It was a day of marking company achievement and acknowledging those who had laid the foundations for current success.

As we celebrate Easter this week in services of remembrance and thanksgiving, we will be reminded that the foundations of our Christian faith were laid in the “winter” of Good Friday. For suffering was a part of our salvation, eclipsed only by the joyous victory of the resurrection.

There is a verse in I Corinthians 3:11 which speaks of this spiritual foundation:

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

and what of the superstructure?

I guess each of us must ponder this for himself. 

The campus chime will play Happy Birthday today at noon to mark the day!

Prepared by MacKenna Wilson