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Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Reflections


Last night the "Asbury Hungary 06" team went out to supper! It was the first time we've been together -- just us-- since landing at the Bluegrass Airport on July 6. It was so much fun laughing over some of the funnier moments of our shared experiences (like who knew that Ricky and Nathan would own the exact same set of boxers? and that they wouldn't learn this until AFTER laundry day when it was too late to label them?) . We enjoyed catching each other up on our correspondance with some of the new friends we made and left in Hungary and even sharing stories about things that transpired during the trip that others of us hadn't heard yet! Before finishing up we also took the opportunity to reflect on what the Lord taught us individually. With the benefit of the passage of time, we could better put some of these thoughts, feelings & lessons in perspective. It wasn't always easy to articulate, but a good exercise nevertheless.

When it was all over, I felt a tinge of sadness as I always do at the conclusion of our work with a team (I'm a sentimental sap). Who knows if or when we'll all ever be together again? After preparing together for months and months to help facilitate English Camp, it's all over in a matter of days. But when it's all over, what we do take away are some incredible memories and priceless friendships. Which is why evenings like last night are so special.

Monday, August 28, 2006

August 27 Global Cafe`






Last night the Asbury Hungary team had a chance to report on their experiences this summer helping facilitate English Camp! It was great to have everyone from the team back together again, albeit briefly! Aidan made a special trip up from North Carolina which we really appreciated and we're looking forward to having dinner tomorrow night altogether for a final time of "debrief."
Overall, Global Cafe was a big success. The testimonies were uplifting, the time of prayer was moving, and Teresa gave us a sample of Hungarian cuisine with cherry soup (from mix toted all the way back from Budapest to KY in our suitcases)! We had lots of new faces (great to have you Unashamed Class members, we hope to see more of you)! And lots of folks stayed late to hang around and visit. If you missed the program, you may view a slideshow of photos from the trip by following this link here.

It also felt like old home week with special friends Joanna, Miriam, Anna and Brandon making surprise appearances -- we love having alumni back too! We are so blessed by you all. Hope to see you again next week!

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Freshmen Progressive Dinner

We had over 300 folks in our yard tonight! Here's a few of 'em.

Our cooks: Captain Mike Himes (Salvation Army), Randy Coleman (OMS), Dr. Ken Rietz (prof.)

some of our fare, including yummy BBQ sauce from Sonny's...

me (left) & Joy (right, Assistant Director of Campus Ministries and LIFESAVER tonight and most every day!)



Dr. Rietz, Rachel Coleman (OMS), Nathan, Randy, Teresa & Faith

A day of first's...


Many "first's" took place on campus yesterday (first classes, first chapel, etc.) but one of the chief signals to me that a new year has begun is the first cabinet meeting of the fall. It's so cool to have the everyone back together in one place, laughing, teasing, sharing, praying -- it feels like no time has passed since we were together last in April (except some of us have tans). They're great people and it's going to be a wonderful year of ministry together. We are blessed!

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Activities Fair 2006


If you didn't make it to our tent you missed free magnets, iced coffee, and a chance to win a t-shirt! Thanks to all who did stop by and visit! We enjoyed meeting and visiting with you all!

Nathan and Phil in the WGM tent.

Faith and Veronica

Jenny with as much sugar as she can hold in two hands.

Faith and Mark modeling our new Global Cafe` t-shirts.

Saturday, August 19, 2006

First Serve


We are SOOO thankful for the crew of volunteers (above) from the Unashamed class and TAG leaders who came tonight to help us!!!! It was a rather muggy evening (lots of rain this afternoon) for First Serve but no one complained while we weeded the sand volleyball court and then slapped some weather-resistant stain on the deck. What a blessing their help was in getting the outdoor areas of the center ready for a new school year! And they were a cool group! We look forward to seeing them around campus! :-)


Thursday, August 17, 2006

Welcome, Unashamed!

It's that day! "Moving in" day, that is!

I can still vividly remember the day that my family helped me move into Kresge 313 in August 1993. It was HOT! And of course I had a ton of stuff to move to the third floor and the elevator was always occupied. I remember crossing paths in the hall with one of my suitemates as she moved in. She always had a smile and a greeting in a sweet, genteel Virginia accent. Passing by her room I caught glimpses of a bed made up with a matching Laura Ashley bed set, complete with throw pillows. It made my bed with mismatched sheets and a handmade Midwestern quilt feel kind of plain and well, dorm-like. I didn't feel as bad about the amount of stuff I brought though when I saw her mom and dad unloading a U-Haul trailer (not kidding!). How was I to know that we would become close friends and 6 years later she'd be in my wedding & 3 years after that I would be in hers?

It's a day of jumbled nerves. Nerves about making new friends, uncertainty about getting along with an unknown roommate, anxiety about handling college courses, and of course feeling a tinge of sadness about saying "goodbye" to Mom and Dad and siblings. But, you're about to embark on a new phase of life that will be more fun than you can imagine, filled with tough lessons, and in the end, you won't be the same person! So jump right in, resist the urge to call Mom and Dad on the cell phone three times a day, and have fun at Asbury! Welcome, Un-Ashamed!