But best of all, he liked the Model A that the writer below drove to the meeting.

You spoke at the Waukesha Rotary Club on July 26th. I met your Father “Lefty” who was thrilled to see my 31 Ford Model A. Reading about Andrew in your book brought back memories of when I was first dianosed with Type 1 Diabetes 50 years ago. Same symptoms and rationalization. I was taking a physical for flight training in Goose Bay, Labrador. Needless to say I didn’t get to become a pilot which probably saved my life. (Vietnam!) I have a Grandson who is a gym rat at Carroll University and he also conducts basketball camps for girls and boys, . Your talk at Rotary was very inspirational and well received by members I talked to. Keep up the great effort for JDRF. Over $3,000 went to JDRF as gifts for our 50th wedding anniversay. Thank you many times over for what you do! God Bless, Marty Jannsen

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

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 May 2010 – FITF Book Review

Along with telling some stories and selling a few books, I have had the opportunity to help others get better acquainted with Concordia University.  I also have engaged audiences on the subject of Type 1 diabetes and have asked for their prayers and support in the quest for a cure.

Below is a brief note from a Rotarian whose club I addressed last week.  He is a Cornell alumnus and was excited to learn of Andrew’s plans. 

Hi Dr. Ferry and Andrew, – What a pleasure it was to have you both visit our Rotary of Milwaukee/North Shore meeting last Monday.  As President/Elect for the coming year 2010-2011, and on behalf of all our members, I want to thank you for visiting us and telling us such a marvelous story of faith, as it relates to basketball, family, and life.  It certainly could be theme for any fine sermon as there are many stories connected to this, evident in your book, which I’m reading with great interest.  We hope you had a useful and informative dinner with the new basketball coach at Cornell.  And for Andy, I have alerted my fraternity brothers (Sigma Phi) of Andy’s move to Cornell next year and know that your experience there will be a highlight of your life as you enjoy the people, the team, Ithaca, and in general, all that Cornell will be offering to you.  Thanks again, Dr. Ferry, for your inspiring talk at our meeting and continued success at Concordia as you lead your fine school into the future.  God Bless you and Andy – Owen Perry.

Also below is the list of presentations that have been a part of my recent routine.  Summer’s schedule is filling fast!

• April 7 – New Berlin Noon Rotary
• April 14 – Port Washington/Saukville Basketball Banquet
• April 15 – Barnes & Noble Book Signing at Bay Shore Town Square
• April 16 – Book table at the Women’s Leadership Institute National Conference
• April 17 – Rite -Hite YMCA
• April 21 – Alexian Village Book Club
• April 25 – Christian Athletic Scholarship Banquet
• April 27 – West Bend Sunrise Rotary
• May 11 – Thiensville – Mequon Noon Rotary
• May 19 – Mitchell Field Noon Rotary
• May 24 – Northshore Milwaukee Noon Rotary
• May 27 – Cedarburg/Grafton Noon Rotary
• June 18 -20 – St. John’s College Alumni Reunion
• July 26 – Waukesha Rotary
• October 18-20 – Mid-South District LCMS Professional Church Workers Conference

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.

     I have been tied up with family issues, so it took me until a few weeks ago to open up the book.  Once the cover was cracked, I couldn’t put it down!  Thank you for opening up a window to your family.  May I ask how Andrew is doing?  I had the pleasure of playing ball with him in 2005, at Steve’s house, after my university (Michigan State) just completed another Final Four trip.  He told me that he was disappointed about them beating Kentucky, then proceeded to whoop me so badly in horse that I wasn’t sure that I could spell basketball when he was done with me.  Anyway, I didn’t know about the diabetes at that time.  My wife has Type 2 diabetes, which is much easier to deal with, but I am very sensitive to the disease that I had not known much about before.  I sure hope that he’s doing well.  Has he decided on another college yet?  I’d like to try and follow him next year.  He seems like a very fine young man!  I’m sure that you are proud of him and all your children! 

     Anyway, thank you so much for sharing.  Having the love of Christ in your heart can change everything that one has to deal with in life.

Gregg Citron

P.S.  I loved your musical references.

“Since returning home, I read Faith in the Freshman for the second time.  I bought it in November when I was on campus and read it then.  I was so moved, I was almost speechless.  Now I’ve read it again and marval at what you’ve accomplished in telling this story so beautifully.  What a tribute to Tammy, your children and family!  What a way to honor a loving God who called you by name!

The title is so perfect on several levels.  I’m sure that’s the way you intended.  I liked the way you alternated chapters describing your experiences and Andrew’s.  I liked the candor you expressed and the trust you had in your readers to understand.  Not only was your prose a joy to read, but the feeling and experiences you described were so real.”

    from Donna Streufert

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

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.

But now as a junior at LWLHS she is getting her share of splinters and gets discouraged. . . .  As you ached for yourself and Andrew as a fther, so I ache for Paige as a grandfather.  I continue to learn those hard yet awesome lessons that you so brilliantly share in your book about God’s plans for us.  Paige is a 3.99 student (with an A- in physics), a tremendous person, solid Christian.  I am buying a copy of your book for her (and her parents).  It will touch her issues. . .  I remember by aspirations to play for the Cubs.  A serious knee injury cut that short.  But I never forgot the advice of my pastor who said, “Sometimes we want to see the side of the tapestry that Jesus is working on, because all we can see are the loose ends.  Remember this Jesus knows the design, trust him.”

Your Friend,

Bill Otto

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.

Your inferences to TV and music choices just made me chuckle.  I haven’t thought about some of my favorites from way back then for far too long.

I have always believed that everyone has a story to tell.  My take on yours is that thus far it’s quite a love story.  Thank you for sharing it and bringing me down memory lane.  Thank you for your continued guidance at CUW — it’s the right place for my kids to be.  Most importantly, I offer thanksgiving for you as such a faithful Shepherd.

I would like nothing better than to meet Andrew someday.  He is remarkable in so many ways and CUW would be lucky to have him as a leader.

Kyle was very happy with his own personalized copy — he appreciated your kind words.  His final season is rolling by way too fast and just thinking about his run ending soon really makes me sad.  We are very excited for CIT though and hope to be able to say hello at some point during the tournament.

Sincerely,

Sue Barth and Family