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Marilyn Dawson

dawson_marilyn.jpg“As a college student, it was so humbling for me to see how [CCO staff workers] Ted and Melanie Schumacher lived their lives,” says Marilyn Dawson. “They were intentional and genuine about asking about my life and wanting to share the love of Christ with everyone they met.”

During her years as a student at Kent State University, Marilyn attended Kent Presbyterian Church, which is where she first met the Schumachers. “The CCO was interwoven in all of our activities because of Ted and Melanie’s presence, as well as other students involved in CCO and church.”

Marilyn also attended Jubilee, both as a student and since graduating. “Jubilee was absolutely amazing and impacted me in different ways each time I went. I was in awe seeing so many college students gathered in one place to praise, worship, and learn about the Lord. I loved being able to attend seminars that were directly about my area of study or interest. It helped me understand that God really does care about each and every aspect of my life.”

Today, Marilyn and her husband, Shay, live in Indiana, where Shay serves as Director of Therapeutic Recreation at Bradford Woods, Indiana University’s Outdoor Center, and Marilyn stays home with the couple’s two young children. They are also active members of the Evangelical Community Church in Bloomington.

“Shay and I definitely grew a lot together during our college years,” Marilyn says. “The CCO has made a significant impact on how we make decisions, raise our kids, and spend our time and money. My faith is what I hold onto during the many struggles that life brings. Within our second year of marriage, Shay had repeating bouts with cancer, and I have had two miscarriages. Our faith is what brought us through those and many other trials. I would be lost without the mercy, love, forgiveness, and grace that Christ offers.”

The CCO, through Ted and Melanie, also gave the Dawsons a model for how to reach out to others. “I truly believe in intentional relationships—getting to know people, asking them questions about their lives, inviting them in for dinner, and just genuinely caring about and loving them. The CCO has influenced us greatly in our beliefs about living out our Christian faith. Living here at Bradford Woods and serving people with disabilities is a dream of ours. This dream was completely influenced by the Lord and his gift of godly mentors in our lives. God really took hold of me, molded, and fashioned me during my college years. He has shown me the type of person He made me to be. The CCO changed how I view my purpose, academics, church, the poor, and the oppressed. My vocation for now is to stay home and raise our young children. We have been inspired by the CCO to live simply and with the ‘I’m Third’ philosophy: God first, others second, me third.

“In the end, I pray that someday we will achieve what Ted and Melanie Schumacher have.  Not so that others will want to be like us, but that they will see the love of Jesus in us and want that for themselves.”