IN THE SPIRIT

IN THE SPIRIT: Burn recovery to batting champ

When Keyana Dunn has time to catch her breath, she loves coming back to Grand Forks where she was born to visit her grandparents Dennis and Kathy Dunn. “What she went through that I witnessed was excruciating pain,” Dennis said. “She is a trooper. She is quite the girl and pretty special.”

By Naomi Dunavan , May 11, 2013

IN THE SPIRIT: Grand Forks Youth for Christ names new leader

Sean Patterson stepped into the emcee’s shoes when his church, Grace Baptist in Grand Forks, served as a viewing site for the “Stepping Up” simulcast. Thousands of men across the country watched it the day before the Super Bowl.

By Naomi Dunavan , April 12, 2013

IN THE SPIRIT: Every game a blessing, every fan an energizer

The cross tattooed on Troy Huff’s upper right arm is big and bold and beautiful just like the picture of Jesus tattooed on Shane Benton’s upper left arm.

By Naomi Dunavan , March 09, 2013

IN THE SPIRIT: Learning lessons written on wall of Mayo Clinic

Sometimes having to wait is annoying, but it recently paid off in a big way for me. I had time to reflect on someone’s words of wisdom which left me clothed in peace and reassurance. Both of which I needed.

By Naomi Dunavan , February 16, 2013

IN THE SPIRIT: Seeing the fruit makes Eunita yearn to do more

Never will she leave — permanently. Never will she forsake — her people — her mother country. It is for them that Eunita Odongo is temporarily away, learning in the United States what she can do — with her heart and hands — to improve the lives of people in her beloved Kenya.

By Naomi Dunavan , January 12, 2013

IN THE SPIRIT: His life overflows with music, message

Even at the ripe young age of 7, the Rev. Bob Ludwig was dead serious about his piano lesson. So much so that he rolled out of bed to practice every morning from 6:30 to 7:30 before the school bus came to his country home near Culver, Ind.

By Naomi Dunavan , December 08, 2012

IN THE SPIRIT: Trip to Norway provides heritage enlightenment

In a picturesque country setting within a triangle formed by the towns of East Grand Forks, Alvarado and Oslo, sits a 132-year-old house of worship known as Kongsvinger Lutheran Church.

By Naomi Dunavan , November 10, 2012

IN THE SPIRIT: My sister, my friend, my mentor

The memory is as clear to me as if it’s happening as we speak. The door opens and in walks someone who brightens my day like a beacon in the night. She has come from her upstairs classroom to wrap an arm around me and assure me that all is well. She is my one and only sister!

By Naomi Dunavan , October 12, 2012

IN THE SPIRIT: From the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee

For a homebody, I’ve been gone a lot lately. This year’s travels began the end of March with a trip to West Virginia when I was invited by John Reitmeier to be there when he met his biological brother for the first time.

By Naomi Dunavan , August 11, 2012

IN THE SPIRIT: Golden opportunities lead to golden celebration

We’re speaking here of Holy Family Catholic School whose name became Holy Family-St. Mary’s Catholic School in 2005 when St. Mary’s School in downtown Grand Forks closed its doors and its students were welcomed into Holy Family School.

By Naomi Dunavan , July 21, 2012

IN THE SPIRIT: Found: Long lost words of wisdom

For starters, I asked my grandchildren, Elyn and Ethan, if they knew the meaning of the word “multitude?” Two little heads shook from side to side. Ethan just completed first grade and Elyn third. I guess those words are yet to come for them.

By Naomi Dunavan , June 08, 2012

IN THE SPIRIT: Their circle is unbroken

Last Sunday, after morning Mass and lunch, 10 women returned to the peaceful sanctuary of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in East Grand Forks. They wore identical cross pendants and placed their chairs upfront in a semi-circle. Natalie Mack Wavra no longer joins them, but because of her, this circle of faith, family and friendship will forever be unbroken. In quietness, the prayers began.

By Naomi Dunavan , May 11, 2012

IN THE SPIRIT: A ‘bonus family’ for John Reitmeier

Crookston man finds his biological family at age 60
Anyone who knows John Reitmeier knows he’s never lost for words. Otherwise known as the Cool Site Pick of the Day guy for 1310 KNOX radio, Reitmeier has quick and witty comebacks for everything, stemming from many years in radio. But on the evening of April 13, John was somewhat subdued as we neared a white house with a full-width front porch situated on a flower laden street in Charles Town. When John spoke it was softly. As our car pulled into the driveway, a man and his wife came down from the porch to welcome John. Over the past few months they had spoken on the phone several times and now, John, 60, and Michael Terry, 63, were meeting for the first time.

By Naomi Dunavan , April 27, 2012

IN THE SPIRIT: Church body vows to wipe our malaria

For what’s believed to be the first time in the history of an individual church denomination, a vow has been made to wipe out a devastating disease within a certain time period. The church body: United Methodist. The disease: malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. The time period: three years. Christened, “Imagine No Malaria,” this mission project has been wholeheartedly embraced by Thief River Falls United Methodist Church, which just last weekend exceeded $10,000 on its way to its total pledge of $20,000.

By Naomi Dunavan , April 14, 2012

IN THE SPIRIT: Redemption story with charming, awkward, tearful parts

Sometimes we go looking for a story and sometimes the story finds us. Such is the case with Andy and Jon Erwin, Birmingham, Ala., brothers who grew up playing with cameras in the studio where their dad was a television and radio broadcaster.

By Naomi Dunavan , March 10, 2012