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

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.

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

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.

With similar music tastes over the past 30 years, I appreciate your courage in admitting to your “disco years” something that my children often bring up when I criticize today’s music. Although my basketball career ended in high school, I did share the memories of special friendships with teammates which included the respect for their commitment to work on their skills until the ball went flat on those cold Wisconsin winter nights. Sitting in my Pacifica, reading your book as I waited for my daughter’s soccer game to start, I realized just how similar our lives have been except maybe career paths and the fact that I am still a Methodist. I would appreciate getting an update on Andrew, I have become a member of his “fan club”. I feel blessed for having the opportunity to get to know you as a person and also privileged to be part of your Concordia Team. I wish you and your entire family the very best that life has to offer.

Reed J. Schmitt
Treasurer

JOS. SCHMITT & SONS CONST. CO., INC.
Building Better Together Since 1899
2104 Union Ave., P.O. Box 1084
Sheboygan, WI  53082-1084

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.

I prayed for you and your husband this morning, asking God to continue richly blessing the Kingdom work He is doing through both of you at CUW, but also specifically for this book project.  It tugged at my heart.  God may use this to touch thousands and thousands of people in dramatic ways, speaking not only to high school and college-age young men, and not only to anyone touched by diabetes, but to countless others on their own faith journeys.  The mother-son letters and relationship aspect of the book is priceless, too.

I know I’m not telling you anything new; I just felt compelled to share my thoughts and prayers, following my view of this wonderful website, and having just met you, Tammy!  I can’t wait to read this book!

Praise God, who always knows what we need!

Your friend,

Deb