Dear Pat -

Just finished reading “Faith and the Freshman” – Sarah is reading it now.  Thank you so much for providing the “signed” copy.  A thoroughly delightful and inspirational read.  Plus a lot of nostalgia – I spent 6 years at Concordia, Milwaukee, sixth man on the basketball teams, arrived as a freshman, high school at 4’10″ and 95 lbs., homesick also since we could not go home until Christmas, and Oh so cold — shot hundreds of shots every night when home in the driveway — By the way, my grandmother’s maiden name was Neitzel — And in the 80′s I did seminars at Bob Zehnder’s church in Denver — was impressed with his flower bed in the church courtyard. — always connections in the LCMS. 

As you have a moment, a quick email on Andrew — and I too am diabetic.

God bless,

Mark and Sarah Behring

   I’m sure by now you’ve had hundreds of accolades and comments. . . but I wanted you to know how touching in so many different ways your book was to me.  I just finished it tonight.  I can relate to the role of Billie w/Ryan – I pray I can continue to be as diplomatic as she was.  He seems to be experiencing something similar to what you did at the beginning of your collegiate journey.  The angst (although my experience was only through high school w/Jordan) of wondering what God was waiting for – how and when Jordan’s work ethic would pay off.  Interestingly, in the end, the truth prevailed.  Silly me!  I learned to just “Be still and know!”

   And Alyssa’s dream is beginning to be fulfilled by her time spent on the football field with the CUW Falcons!  I can only depend on the Lord to take that to the next level since I do not know how to help her to it in any other way.

   And then there’s the enduring of the “humilating tag of helicopter Mom” when in fact, I just REALLY like my kids and being with my kids and it will just have to be what I am.  I think they’re amazing people and they often lift me up!  I want to affirm you – the love we have for our children is put in our hearts by our Father in heaven.  Loving them to the best of our ability is what He would want of us!  That comes through in your writing loud and clear.

   But mostly, I could relate to your spiritual awakening at St. John’s.  As I look back on how I even got to CUW, how I even had the opportunity to learn about Jesus – definitely in God’s plan to use CUW as the place that I would come to know Him!  Thanks for sharing your story!  I was blessed by it!

Julie Chojnacki Buuck

Hi Dr. Ferry,

This is Dave Kolander, pastor at Christ the Lord Lutheran, Brookfield (WELS).  My daughter Anna is a sophomore at Concordia and is presently an RA.  She is very involved in the choir, voice, piano and drama programs.  Right now she is getting ready for the fall musical.  (My nephew Thomas is also a student at CUW.)

I am writing to tell you I just finished reading Faith in the Freshman.  Thank you for your wonderful book.  I laughed and cried throughout, as I relived many of my own experiences (with both my daughters Anna and Emma (Wisconsin Lutheran High School 2009, 2012) and my son Ryan (WLHS 2006)) — and as I rejoiced with you as you shared the Holy Spirit’s work with you and with your family. 

Having been blessed with parents who shared their faith with me, I cannot even imagine the humbling joy it musht have been to have been able to pass back to the previous generation the great things the Lord has done.  Thank you for sharing that message in such an interesting, insightful, and delightful way.

God bless and keep you in his Son,

Dave Kolander

P.S.  I also have my own fond memories of some of the great football, basketball, and baseball games we had against Milwaukee Lutheran, when I was a student long ago at Northwestern Prep in Watertown (now called Luther Prep).

Pat -

I just finished reading your book and wiped the tears from my eyes.  You, Andrew, and your entire families are some really amazing and inspiring people.  You certainly took me through a walk down memory lane!

Being who and how I am, I do need to make a couple of comments.  (It’s a Kimball family inherited trait!)

As a former Kansan, (Salina High School South – 1971), I want to defend the beauty of the Kansas wheat fields and the hardworking Kansas wheat farmer.  I realize your intent was to set the stage for a kid used to looking out the window and seeing the majestic Rocky Mountains, then arriving at Goodman, KS and realizing he has hit “no man’s land” with nothing to see but wheat fields for miles, you really painted a negative picture of the Kansas countryside.

You are excellent at using song lyrics that express your thoughts and feelings.  Here are a couple that express mine. “Oh beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain.” – America, the Beautiful.  Also John Denver’s tribute to his Uncle who was a wheat farmer out of Colby, KS, in his song “Matthew”.  In the refrain, he sings, “To Matthew  … gold is just a windy Kansas wheat field.  Blue just a Kansas summer sky”.

You are aware that the piece of bread you had your peanut butter and jelly on, came from those same wheat field?  (Okay, I have defended my Kansas!)

Another comment:  I was laughing so hard when I read the Winfield Chronicle’s description of the basketball game against Haskell I almost fell off the couch.  The laughter bought my husband into the room to see what was so funny and when I could finally read it to him, his laughter was just as hardy!

Thank you so much for the hours of great reading!

May God continue to bless you and those you hold dear.

Karen Kimball Ducas

     The Rev. Dr. Patrick Ferry (M ’81), president of Concordia University Wisconsin, called the Alumni Association office a number of months ago to tell us he had recently completed a book entitled, “Faith in the Freshman.”  He asked if the office staff would review it if he e-mailed a copy to us.  After reviewing the book, and I admit that once I started it I couldn’t put it down, I was convinced that this book would be a winner.  I shared it with Wallace Behrhorst and Roland Mueller; and they, too, felt this was an excellent book.  They provided Dr. Ferry with some corrections and additional information.  And now the book has been published as Pat says, “This is recommended reading for parents who have a son or daughter who is going into college or is already in college.”  I believe it is just plain good reading, for it tells the story of a young man from Colorado who came to St. John’s College to play basketball.  This is compared to Pat’s son who overcame adversity to walk on and play basketball at Valparaiso University, an NCAA Division I school.  Great Story, Pat!

    Pat was invited to share some of his story with the alumni who were gathered at the 2010 Winfield Johnnie Reunion this past June at our “Talk About The Times” session on Saturday morning.  At the end of the session Pat told the audience that for every book sold that morning he would match that amount for the Alumni Association to be put into its General Scholarship Endowment.  He also left a number of books with the Association for it to publicize and sell and the same conditions would apply.

   Pat, thank you for a great book and also for helping out with the scholarship program of the St. John’s College Alumni Association.

Pat -

I hope the weekend went well and that the start of school is energizing and rewarding!

I finished your book this weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it!  I was amazed to read and learn how God has so effectively used you since we met in 2004.  He is masterful!!! As soon as I got to the end, I went to my computer to “google” where Andrew is today.  Wow! Cornell!!  Very good for him!  I am sure God will use him effectively there to His purpose.  And hopefully that includes continued success on the basketball court!!  He sure excelled last year at Palm Beach State.  105 3-pointers makes my arm tired just reading about them. (I so love basketball!)

My youngest is at Valparaiso.  Chelsea has just begun her sophomore year there.  Andrew is ahead of her and a year behind my son (senior at Belmont University in Nashville, TN).  At parents weekend last year, I attended the introduction of the men’s basketball team.  I thought to myself as I read your book, I didn’t remember him on the team.  As I read on, I understood why.

Thanks for writing your story!  I could relate in so many ways!  You caused me to reflect many times on how we need to let God be in control and not us.  Then on Sunday our sermon was about Moses’ mother letting God be in complete control as she put him in a basket in the Nile.  And we know the rest of that story.

God is definitely speaking to me!!

Thanks for being a conduit!
Doug

Over the years my respect and admiration for President Holst has continued to grow.  He is a person whose depth of insight and consecrated integrity inspires all who have the privilege of knowing him.  Bob and his wife, Lynne, have served the Lord’s Church with the same missionary sensitivity from Papua, New Guinea to the Twin Cities and points in between.  I wish them well in retirement, and pray for the Spirit’s special guidance for Concordia-St. Paul as it seeks a successor to try to fill very big shoes!

Recently, Bob read my book and was kind to offer the note below…..

Dear Pat,

Greetings from Heartwood Center near Trego, Minong, Spooner, and Hayward, WI.  Lynne and I are spending two weeks here — vacation after conventions, before the faculty retreat on Monday, Aug. 16 and before the traditional academic year starts.

Vacation gave me the time finally to read cover to cover Faith in the Freshman.  Pat, that is an amazing book in many ways.  Thank you for taking the time and effort to write it.  Your honest and direct style is intriguing and makes pleasant reading.  Your collection of personal, historical information from letters and other sources is interesting — not merely for personal interest but of genuine historical value.  As you note, the next electronic generation will not have the written record for such reference to memories.  Your insightful introspection and bold sharing of yourself are amazing — amusing — and very meaningful.

I think that your recounting some of experiences at St. John’s is of lasting historical value.  That LCMS junior college era is over but you have captured and reminded us of its spirit, strengths, and challenges.  Personally, I was in the last JC [AA] class before the Senior College started.  We pre-sem’s all moved directly from the junior colleges to the seminary to complete our BA and then BD.  As I recall, at the seminary, the “campus culture” held that Johnnies and the St. Paul, MN, guys got along well because they could enjoy a good beer together — unlike the pious brains from St. Paul, Concordia, MO, the socially handicapped guys of Concordia, Milwaukee [who were aces in Greek but -- because they lacked co-eds - don't go on a double date with one of them!] or those nationalistic Texans who had not yet heard [or surrendered to the fact] that Texas was actually part of the United States of America.

The juxtaposition of your experience and your experience with regard to Andrew tell a powerful and poignant story which you underscore with probing but honest faith.  I admit that there is a line in the book that made sad.  I regret that Andrew felt CSP coaches [or with whomever you met on your visit] were more interested in you than he.  I wish that I had been here for the visit.  I wish that Andrew had come here — as student and as basketball player.  But it seems to be for the good.  Coming here would not have met his dream of playing D1.  I think that he would have had a meaningful college career here — in basketball too.  But, as you note, life takes amazing twists and turns but, like skiing with a mentor, God always glides with us.

Again, thank you for the book.  A great vacation read.  Lord willing, see you in Portland.

In Christ,

Bob Holst

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