Waukesha Rotary Book Event
Readers of Faith in the Freshman will recognize the characters Billie and Lefty. I took Lefty along to a book event I had this week at the Waukesha Rotary. My dad (Lefty) enjoyed the book (for those of you who might have wondered). He also loved hearing me talk about it to the Rotarians. Read the rest of this entry »
Rolf’s Reflections
The President of the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (WAICU) read Faith in the Freshman and offered this brief reflection:
My wife and I just read Faith in the Freshman, and we both loved it. Not only is the story compelling, but the sheer honesty makes it gripping. We thank God for the gifts given to you and to Andrew.
Rolf Wegenke, Ph.D., President
Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
A Letter from an 18-Year-Old who Relates to “Faith in the Freshman”
I was grateful for the following letter from Eric, an 18-year-old who deals with Type 1 diabetes every day. Many of Concordia’s freshmen will read the book this fall. Few of them will relate to the story like Eric does!
Dear Dr. Ferry, I am currently reading your book Faith in the Freshmen. I’m an 18 year old kid who has diabetes, just like your son Andrew. In the small town of Sussex, WI, all I have thought about since i was young was the game of basketball. Basketball has rewarded me in so many ways, including keeping me fit, which helps keeping my blood sugars in tact. Your story is moving and motivational to me. Being a freshmen in high school I made the JV team. Then my sophomore year I was placed on varsity because, like your son, I can shoot the lights out. Due to some unfortunate circumstances I had to quit right before my junior year. Not playing for my last two years of high school really upset me and I still practice daily and have a passion for the game. I was wondering if you could give me some advice of how to get my name out to college coaches. I miss the competitive nature of the game, Division I, Division II, Division III, JUCO, it doesn’t matter…the love I have for the game is amazing, and playing college basketball, no matter what level, has been a dream of mine. If you don’t have the time to lend me some advice that is completely fine. Once again thank you for the amazing story that has truly changed my life. Also thank you for reading this e-mail. Sincerely, Eric Moderski
Around the Tower Book Review
Usually you can count on a favorable review when your own brother-in-law is the writer! Check out Tim Saleska’s review of Faith in the Freshman written in the recent Concordia Seminary student publication. Tim is professor of Old Testament at the seminary. See the review embedded below. ~Pat
About the Town
Over the last several weeks, Faith in the Freshman speaking engagements have kept me busy around town. I have met lots of nice people who are doing some great things in our community. Read the rest of this entry »
From the mailbag for this week —
I continue to receive letters from readers of the book, and I am grateful for the chance to share them here. From this week’s mailbag. . . . .
Dear Dr. Ferry,
I can’t tell you how much I was completely uplifted by your book. As a new Christian, every time I get such faith lessons, I just have to drop down to the floor and thank God for softening my heart. My brother-in-law, and a very, very important spiritual leader to me, Steven Smith, gave me the book as a present for Christmas. Read the rest of this entry »
Another Raving Review
I received the note below from an email …. Pat
Pat, I enjoyed the book. Found out that we have some things in common. My birthday is also in June. My son also has diabetes. He was diagnosed when he was 4 and is now a college sophomore. Your quote on p. 77 hits close to home as my son plays baseball. Thank you and God’s blessings.
Rev. Mark Krueger
“Riveting and Spellbinding”
I received another review. Thought you’d like to read it….. Pat
Dear Pat,
Went cover to cover reading your wonderful book during by stay at Orlando. Your book speaks so much to my life and now the life of my granddaughter Paige. Paige is a fine athlete whose passion for Basketball exceeds mine (I am a Falcon and Badger Fan). Paige has played year round since 8th grade for her school teams and Rising Force in Summer. She is very good. Read the rest of this entry »
A Review Outside the “Intimate Inner Circle”
I’ve received another review to share. – Pat
Dear Dr. Ferry,
I wanted to drop you a note just to let you know that someone outside your “intimate inner circle” thoroughly enjoyed your book. I could relate to your story on so many levels and was amazed that both of us even have a daughter named Rachel (ours however is Rachael). The years for me have flown by also and can’t believe I will be turning 50 very soon. Read the rest of this entry »
Letters and Reactions, continued
Below is another letter I received ~ Pat
“I finished your book – “Faith in the Freshman” – last weekend while attending the conference championships for women’s soccer, men’s soccer, & volleyball in the Chicago area last weekend.” Read the rest of this entry »
The Concordian Review
The following review was written by Dr. David Eggebrecht and appeared in the Fall 2009 edition of the Concordian. ~ Pat
Concordia President, the Rev. Dr. Patrick Ferry, has written a new book entitled Faith in the Freshman: A Story of Hopes and Hoops. In alternating chapters he discusses his own freshman experience , at St. John’s College — Winfield, which led him to become a Christian, and his son Andrew’s experience as a college freshman wanting to play Division I basketball and dealing with diabetes.
The book is an engrossing read (I had to wrest it from my wife’s hands in order to read it so I could write this review by deadline.) Read the rest of this entry »
Letters and Reactions to the Book Part 3
I am enjoying correspondence from the first readers of Faith in the Freshman. Different people are finding different places to connect. Here is the latest ~Pat
Dear Pat:
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed reading your book, “FAITH in the FRESHMAN.” As a proud member of the half century club as well as a father of two wonderful boys I could personally relate to your story. I laughed when you shared the fact that God blessed you with your five children over a seven-year span, with your wife unfortunately battling morning sickness throughout each pregnancy. My wife Terri was pregnant seven times over the first 9 years of our marriage, the joy of two boys and twin daughters and the incredible sadness of four miscarriages. She shared with Tammy the constant reminder of her physical state with 24/7 morning sickness from what seemed like conception through delivery. Read the rest of this entry »
Letters and Reactions to the Book Part 2
We continue to get reactions to the publication of Faith in the Freshman. I am grateful for the permission to publish some of these on the website for others to read and enjoy. Neither the previous message, nor this communication was addressed originally to me. This letter was addressed to my wife, Tammy. ~Pat
Thank you, Tammy!
The website is fabulous…I plan to order at least three copies of “Faith in the Freshman” today. My son, Chris, age 15 and VERY close to his cousin, Wyatt, our 15-year-old nephew with Juvenile Diabetes, is excited to read it (the “hoops” part appeals to the athlete in him, too!). And I want to order a copy for my sister for Christmas. Our associate pastor, Jason Schockman, also has Juvenile Diabetes. (When Wyatt comes from South Dakota to visit, he and Pastor Jason share pump issues, stories, etc.!) Jason will love this book, too. Read the rest of this entry »
Letters and Reactions to the Book
We continue to get reactions to the publication of Faith in the Freshman. I am grateful for the permission to publish some of these on the website for others to read and enjoy. Neither this message, nor another that I plan to post in the coming days was addressed originally to me. This letter was addressed to my son, Andrew. ~Pat
Andrew,
I just got done reading your Dad’s book. My Dad brought me a copy when he was out here in Nebraska for homecoming a couple weeks ago. Initially, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read it since I thought I knew the story (I’ve heard your Dad’s speech about his freshman year and have been getting updates on your situation from Hannah). However, after letting it sit on the shelf for a few days I picked it up and started reading the intro, and never put it down! Read the rest of this entry »
Contact Pat Ferry
A Look at a Letter
Once in a while I give my youngest son, Stephen, a hard time because he has not ready my book yet. How about you? Have you read Faith in the Freshman? I understand that it may not make it to the top of everybody’s must read or must do list right away. But, my own son? Here is part of a letter from someone who has made her way through the book not once, but twice….. Read the rest of this entry »