Trudy Fremont pictured with her husband, Dr. Walter Fremont.
Mrs. Trudy Fremont resides in Greenville, SC, having served on the faculty of Bob Jones University for many years. Nursing, child development, and family relations are her specialty areas. With more than 50 years experience in the field of nursing, she has co-authored four books with her husband and has written articles for various magazines. For a number of years she also traveled with her husband conducting weekend family seminars in the United States and other countries. She has two living children and six grandchildren, two grand-in-laws and one great grandchild. Her husband, Walter Fremont, served as the Dean of Education at Bob Jones University for 37 years, a position held until 1990. In addition to his academic responsibilities, Dr. Fremont authored several books on the family, youth and counseling. He is now in total care, but still writing and praising the Lord.
The sudden change of life’s winds can sometimes thrust one into a valley of despair bringing with it emotions of anger, doubt, confusion and perhaps even bitterness. As you read Trudy Fremont’s Peace be Still message be assured you will find encouragement, hope and reassurance that God cares about your personal situation and He will give you “Strength in the Valleys of Life.”
Trudy Fremont pictured with her husband, Dr. Walter Fremont.
Strength in the Valleys of Life
By Trudy Fremont
My mind wandered from our friend’s Sunday evening message. I glanced at Walt, sitting beside me intent on the sermon. “It isn’t fair,” I thought. “My husband is going to die soon and he won’t be able to carry on his ministry.” Immediately Psalm 18:30 came to my mind, “As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proved; he is a shield to all those who trust in him.” I blinked back the welled-up tears.
That verse has continued to be a blessing and a reminder to me of Who is really in control of my life. In the years that we have been married, we have been tested many times. In 1986 Walt was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) and given two to five years to live. We drove home from the doctor’s office that day after learning that what had been going on in Walt’s body was the very condition we had suspected. We stopped on the way home in Anderson, South Carolina, to tell our friends and to call our son Gil and daughter-in-law, Julie. We asked them to delay their departure for The WILDS Christian Camp and Conference Center and to wait for us; we had something to tell them. A phone call interrupted our conversation later that evening, bringing word that Julie’s five-year-old nephew had been killed in an auto accident. I was able to share with them Psalm 18:30. God makes no mistakes.
After Walt’s diagnosis, I tried to cope mentally and emotionally with the many decisions that had to be made in relation to our daily life and to the extended care that my husband would need. At times I felt overwhelmed. Then, the Lord let me look about to all my widowed neighbors. He reminded me, “My grace is sufficient for thee” (II Corinthians 12:9). Yes, for them and for me. Day by day His grace was sufficient, and it still is.
Five years passed and Walt was still alive, even though he was slowly losing more of his mobility. He finally had to give up his position as Dean of Education at BJU in 1990. In 1991 he taught his last class. He handled it well. Walt’s mind remained alert, so he kept busy with various projects for which he hadn’t had time before.
I discovered that I wasn’t as ready for the change as I had thought. For many years I had a special parking place in front of the administration building on campus. I knew well that it would one day belong to the next dean. But, to my surprise, I drove up to park one noon and saw the incoming dean’s name on the curb. I can’t say that my response was immediately what it should have been. But once again, the Lord convicted me that He is the one in control and it was up to me to accept His will.
By 1995 we had settled into a routine with Walt’s care and my continued teaching. Early one April morning I was awakened out of deep sleep. At the door stood the University president, his wife, our pastor, his wife, and the singles pastor of our church. Seeing them, I somehow knew what had happened, though not yet to the full extent. They gently broke the news that our daughter Elaine had been killed in an auto accident.Once again Psalm 18:30 came clearly to mind. I was able to say, “God makes no mistakes.” Walt’s words at my sad news were, “Praise the Lord.” This gal who loved the Lord and life was in heaven with her beloved Savior. Walt’s spontaneous praise expressed his assurance that Elaine was in a better place and that God makes no mistakes.
Some people wondered whether I wanted to ask the Lord why these things were happening to me. I don’t think so. I believe that when the time comes for me to see my Savior, those things that have happened here on earth will fade in the light of His glory. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” (II Corinthians 4:17)
It is now spring of 2004. Walt still lives. Since his diagnosis he has finished three books and is working on another one. Through the love and support of many friends, we have been encouraged emotionally and spiritually. We have also been helped in material ways that have made our lives easier. We are continually reminded that our ways are not His ways, neither our thoughts His thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). God makes no mistakes. Praise the Lord!
I would be remiss if I did not tell you how we have had the strength to walk through the valleys in our lives. The strength came from God through our acceptance of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us, “But unto as many as received him, to them gave he the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12) “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (I John 5:11-13)
May you know Him who can give you grace to walk through the valleys in your life.
“Dr. Walter Gilbert Fremont Jr., 82, dean emeritus of the Bob Jones University School of Education, went to be with his Lord Sunday morning, January 7, 2007. During his 37-year tenure as dean of the School of Education, he was a seminal force in the inauguration and development of the Christian school movement in the United States and around the world. He was also widely known as a consultant and speaker on Christian counseling and the family and was the author of several highly successful books and educational articles.
Students remember and value him for his positive faith attitude, his concern for them and his emphasis on his “Bible Action Truths.” He will be long remembered for his courageous spirit in the face of over twenty years with Lou Gehrig’s disease.
He served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army during World War II, earned an MS degree from the University of Wisconsin and the D.Ed. degree from Penn State University. He was a member of the founding board of the Wilds Camp and Conference Center…”
Greenville News 1/08/2007
When Luke would visit Dr. Fremont it was always a time of sweet fellowship , encouragement and reflection on God’s grace and mercy.
Luke Gribick, in a recent visit with Dr. Fremont.
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