The Road Less Traveled

Operation Christmas Child

2011-11-26T21:33:00.001-06:00

This is a picture of my family while we were at church packing our two shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. It was a powerful day for me. We spent time as a family going to different stations where we focused on a separate theme. At the first station we learned how a child receiving a shoebox might live. Our boys got to go inside a grass hut that the youth had made. Our youth director

Thankful

2011-11-20T20:43:00.001-06:00

Every Thanksgiving my Mom's side of the family gathers in Texas for a reunion. I try to go every year that I can. Usually the only thing that prevents me is having a baby. Our baby having days are behind us now. Yet for some reason I had the strongest sense that we were supposed to stay home this year. I don't understand why. The last time I had this strong of a feeling was the last

The Cat in the Hat Says Alot About That

2011-10-30T22:03:00.000-05:00

The last time I wrote I was pretty bummed. I mean, sometimes I just get discouraged. I find myself like Peter, walking on water in impossible circumstances, and instead of being amazed at my water walking feet, I begin to pay attention to the circumstances I'm in. Thus the sinking begins. I believe that is where sinking feelings originate; we take our eyes off of Jesus, and begin to survey

A Good Word

2011-10-27T16:49:00.002-05:00

Last Spring when the Wesley gave me a going away party, one of my students gave me a beautiful "Tea for One" tea pot and cup. The gesture was so beautiful and significant. The set is delicate and lovely, covered with butterflies as well as the words "The Lord Bless You and Keep You" printed on it. As the weather has turned colder I have pulled out the gift and put it to good use. There are

Amazing Grace

2011-10-18T22:12:00.000-05:00

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound. Amazing grace sounds like the squeals and laughter of three little boys running around our home. It rarely sounds like silence anymore. There was a time when I could spend hours in silence. I used to go on silent retreats and not speak for three days! Those days are long gone. But its okay. I like the noise. It reminds me that life and joy fills our

"Hope Never Loses Us"

2011-10-10T15:47:00.000-05:00

I wish they were my words. Alas I am not that clever. Instead my gift seems to be recognizing the powerful moment when I see it. This moment hit me as I exited the ladies room on the second floor of Cherry Hall today. I had to make a pit stop before teaching my class. On my way out the door, these words caught me. No they did not catch my eye. They literally caught me, the person that I am

Faithful Fallowness

2011-09-24T22:34:00.000-05:00

Harvest has been such a huge metaphor in my life of ministry. I have spent years sowing God's word and my very life into the lives of those God has entrusted to my care. I have planted, tended, nurtured, watered, weeded, and waited for years. And in God's faithfulness I have seen some beautiful harvests during my years of ministry. This June began my fourteenth year since I began full time

This Little Light of Mine, I'm Gonna Let It Shine

2011-09-14T22:33:00.000-05:00

Someone very dear to me has been struggling with unrelenting disappointment that never seems to fade. They raised the question recently, "What is wrong? Why is this happening?" Their question perplexes me as much as it does them. I wish I had answers, but I don't. But I do have a picture. Last weekend was Bowling Green's annual hot air balloon festival. My family and I hurried to the

Provision

2011-09-07T22:01:00.000-05:00

Last night was our first night where we didn't go outside to play. One of the things I have learned about boys is that they need time to run around, breathe fresh air, have freedom of movement and the space to let their imaginations become bigger than life. But yesterday it rained. And so we stayed inside. But it was hardly wasted time. I decided to go through my oldest son's clothes to see

Inspiration

2011-09-01T21:25:00.000-05:00

It may seem like an inconsequential thing, this statement in the first chapter of Luke: "Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord" (1:6). But truly it is a powerful piece of insight, one that touches me deeply. Luke has just introduced the reader to Zechariah and Elizabeth, the parents of John the Baptist, the one

Tell the Truth

2011-08-21T21:51:00.000-05:00

I remember a popular song from my childhood called "Killing Me Softly With His Song." It is the story of a girl who hears about a guy who is a good musician and decides to go hear him play his stuff. She discovers that his lyrics speak what is happening within her heart. I am thinking about that song. I want that experience. I am so hungry for it. Especially on Sunday's. I want to hear my

Conversations

2011-08-17T21:46:00.000-05:00

I got to visit with one of my dear friends today. We spoke of where we are in our lives. The last time we saw each other I was cleaning out my office at the Wesley Foundation. I remember her words to me then, "It doesn't look right, but it doesn't look wrong." Today she said to me, "You look years younger than you did this time last year." I see myself in the mirror every day. I wasn't aware

Hidden Treasure

2011-08-14T15:50:00.000-05:00

The silence seems so loud. I feel like God hasn't left His calling card in a while. As a pastor I respond to comments like this with encouragement. I understand the spiritual dimensions of dessert experiences, some from theological training, mostly from my own past history. Often God will withdraw His felt presence as a way of drawing us closer, deeper to an experience with His otherness

Transitions

2011-08-08T22:07:00.000-05:00

It's the middle of transition time again. Tomorrow Noah starts second grade, and I have a teacher work day for my new job. It's one of those times when I feel unsteady, like walking into a dark room and needing time for my eyes to adjust. It will take a while to get my bearings, to feel comfortable with the new rhythm of my life. Actually, I trust the process. When routine returns and the

Until Then

2011-08-03T11:22:00.000-05:00

One of the craziest things has happened to me this summer. Scripture looks completely different to me. Like, I know how to read it as the campus minister who carries great burdens, and struggles alone, and tries to juggle being a mother with taking care of a whole ministry that nurtures students. Reading scripture while bending beneath the weight of that life is familiar. I can feel the

A Tale of Two Summers

2011-07-27T22:16:00.001-05:00

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all

One Day at a Time

2011-07-26T08:51:00.001-05:00

I remember watching infomercials as a kid. Back then it was never so much about kitchen gadgets as it was about music. I used to think about how only old people would know the songs from the advertised albums. Then there came the day when Time Life was selling 80's anthologies. I knew then, I'm old. The last couple of days I have been remembering one infomercial in particular. It was a

Gravity

2011-07-22T13:42:00.000-05:00

This morning Big Bird and Mr. Snufalupagus couldn't figure out why they didn't stay in the air after jumping. Gordon explained gravity in its simplest terms: what comes up must come down. Everything falls back to the earth once it is released into the air. Something about the topic spoke to me. The weightiness of it seemed to call out to me. Gravity is defined by www.thefreedictionary.com

To Stay in the Fire

2011-07-20T14:24:00.000-05:00

Sometimes when I write, the truth of my world at the moment emerges on the page, and it's like I recognize it for the first time. Writing seems to draw it out of me. It's not something I plan, in fact it usually happens by accident. Like yesterday. I'm writing in my journal, pretty much rummaging around my heart looking for signs of faith. And it hits me: I'm not at a place where I can

Not Done Yet

2011-07-18T12:10:00.000-05:00

I've been wrestling with what ministry looks like for me now that I'm no longer employed in a full-time ministry position. I have told college students for years that God has great plans for their lives, that they can change the world. And I never once told them they had to have special circumstances in place to do it. I just told them they only had to offer God themselves; God was

Hope Rising

2011-07-15T22:15:00.000-05:00

I first noticed it a few weeks ago while I was running. Summer storms had left chaos around the neighborhood. I had assumed the overturned flower pots were just more debris from the driving wind and rain. As the days passed I thought it odd that they had never been righted. Until this morning when I passed them again and happened to look inside. It seems the upturned flower bins are that way

Content in My Tent

2011-07-11T22:38:00.001-05:00

Nice toes, huh? I only paint my toenails during the summer. Most of the year I am pretty unconcerned about my appearance. I usually dress in jeans, a t-shirt, and hiking boots. But something happens in the summertime. As the sun comes out and the days lengthen, I really want to live into the joy of being alive. Perhaps it is because my birthday falls in the middle of July, and I want to

Washed with the Word

2011-07-09T12:32:00.000-05:00

Last week we found bag worms on our evergreen bush in front of our house. They are probably the grossest thing I have ever seen. They are really larvae that create little pods for themselves out of spit and the foliage from the bush they are eating. Individually they cannot do much, but collectively they can kill your plant in a couple of weeks. I've wrestled with this image and how it fits

Seasons

2011-07-03T14:54:00.003-05:00

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1) I love this verse. When I mentioned it in my last post, it was like manna from heaven, giving me a hopeful and life-giving frame of reference for the last three months of transition. The last few days I have held this verse in my heart along with the question, "Who am I when I'm naked?" I'm not

Letting Go

2011-06-30T21:18:00.004-05:00

So in just a little more than two and a half hours my last day of being employed at the Wesley Foundation will be over. It's hard to imagine that something that has been so much a part of me is coming to an end. At every significant milestone of extracting myself from this life of campus ministry I have felt the sadness of letting go. But after the release of a few tears, I'm fine. I guess

Finishing a Chapter; Turning a Page

2011-06-28T22:08:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends,I just wanted to send my deep appreciation. Thankyou for the touching and heartfelt farewell dinnerlast Saturday. It was a sweet time. I continue tobe deeply touched by the generous gift of the newcomputer. It is wonderful beyond words. And I amespecially moved by the decision of the Board ofDirectors to name the Wesley Foundation LeadershipScholarship after me. This is such a

The Gospel According to "The Wesley"

2011-05-19T13:03:00.003-05:00

Dear Friends, Finals have been over about a week now. Many of you have gone home for the summer and are either gearing up for jobs or winding down from the craziness of the school year. Can I just say what a great time I had last week? It was such a joy to have you all in my home. The (co-ed) Ladies Tea Party and the (co-ed) Men’s BBQ were wonderful ways to celebrate the end of our

Gratitude

2011-05-03T14:39:00.003-05:00

When I was in college I stayed with an English professor who out of the kindness of her heart made it a practice to rent out her large attic room to whichever poor, starving student God happened to bring to her doorstep. For the last half of my college career, it was me. In exchange for the next to nothing rent I paid, I received a room, all my meals, and my laundry to boot. Yes, she washed my

"The Work of Courage: Heart wide open"

2011-04-25T12:17:00.004-05:00

Hello to all! Praise God for Easter! Woo Hoo! I am so glad that Jesus rose again. I am so thankful for resurrection. I am so immensely happy that death and evil and hopelessness do not have the last word, ever. Now For Sami’s Ramblings About Jesus: In his book Sabbatical Year Henri Nouwen shared this insight: “The word courage comes from Coeur, which means ‘heart.’ To have

Everything Changes But Beauty Remains

2011-04-20T15:47:00.003-05:00

I love the title for today’s Rambling: “Everything Changes But Beauty Remains.” I wish I could say that I came up with it, but I didn’t. I got it from one of my dear students, that sweet Kelsey girl who titled a picture album on Facebook that way. It touches something deep in me. Especially now. A few weeks ago I was told by my District Superintendent that the Bishop has decided to not

A Better Song

2011-04-11T16:05:00.003-05:00

We are deep into the Lenten season now. This coming weekend we will celebrate Palm Sunday, always a joyful day when we remember and often recreate the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. It is a time of confidence and celebration, when we shout out our praises to God. It’s easy to praise God in the middle of a party. I’m guessing this is what boltstered Peter’s declaration to

Uncrushable Hope

2011-03-23T16:12:00.002-05:00

Earlier in the semester my oldest son Noah and I had a little butting of the heads. He had been invited to a birthday party by one of his friends who wanted everyone to wear their favorite basketball jersey. Noah wanted to wear his upward uniform. Because his upward game was going to be that following Saturday morning, I told him he could wear the jersey, but the t-shirt and shorts he would

First Love

2011-03-17T14:40:00.002-05:00

First love. The phrase brings back all kinds of memories (not all of them pleasant) of my first foray into serious romantic endeavors. I look back at the 16 year old girl that I was, so thankful that I’m not her now. Quite honestly I had no concept of what kind of love God desired for my life. That lack of understanding cost bought me a heap of wisdom that I’m so thankful for today. Since

After the "Uh-Oh"!

2011-02-16T11:23:00.002-06:00

Tim and I are in a parenting class at church that gives advice on how to handle discipline issues with children in a way that maintains the dignity of both the child and parent. A few weeks ago the book we are reading introduced the “Uh-Oh” song, to be sung merrily after a child has entered into discipline territory and needs to have some redirection. I haven’t quite caught on to the practice

The Shape of Things

2011-02-03T16:22:00.002-06:00

It’s been a long few months. This season of Winter has seemed to seep deeply into everything. It’s like the cold, the snow, the aggravation of inconvenience caused by closings and bad roads have all conspired to slow us down, send us inside, give us ample opportunity for reflection. Everything stops and the dust settles. And we are able to see in the quiet discomfiture exactly how things

Singing Rocks

2010-12-01T15:58:00.001-06:00

The headline reads “Opera Company of Philadelphia Rallies Over 650 Singers To Surprise Macy’s Shoppers With A Random Act of Culture.” (See www.operaphila.org/RAC) Apparently it is a regular occurrence to hear an organ play classical music at the Macy’s in Philadelphia. In the middle on one such regular occurrence the organ launched into the opening score of Handel’s Messiah and suddenly

If I had a hammer

2010-11-11T14:40:00.001-06:00

I think it would be kind of cool to randomly categorize the desk contents of campus ministers and compare them to the stuff in other folks’ desks. In my desk I have a small chocolate stash, some giant pixy stix, and a hammer, among other things. The chocolate is there to remind me that good does exist in the world and sometimes comes in small packages; the pixy stix are there for the

Be a Joshua Generation!

2010-10-27T16:25:00.002-05:00

On Monday we decorated my mommy van with some random pumpkins and headed out to South Lawn to share some chocolate joy. This is so my favorite thing to do this time of year. I love giving away candy to students, especially candy with a message so many need to hear. Each piece of chocolate is given away with this scripture stuck on top: “Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or

This Little Light of Mine, I'm Gonna Let It SHINE!

2010-10-20T11:59:00.002-05:00

Two days before my second son was born I was blessed to hear Maya Angelou speak. Her visit to Bowling Green was brief and the opportunity to be a part of her public appearance was very limited. My dear friend who worked for student activities at the time arranged for several students from Wesley and myself to have tickets to her speaking engagement. The venue was a very packed Capital

Why are you here?

2010-10-12T11:02:00.002-05:00

I must admit that since I have been back from Fall Break, several of you have really been on my heart and mind. Each one of you truly has a special place in my life. It is so cool and kind of amazing that after 8 plus years in this ministry, the things you go through as students still move me deeply. I count it as a God thing. I believe it is why I am where I am. God crafted my heart so

What to do when the A.F.R. has hit the fan

2010-10-04T11:27:00.002-05:00

Today is the Monday before Fall Break begins on Thursday. And as is the case on most college campuses before break, all the professors got together and decided that the most delicious form of torture for college students would be to coordinate syllabi so that all the exams, all the projects, all the papers, all of the big-ticket assignments would come due at the same time. And of course every

Loosey Goosey Religion

2010-10-04T10:22:00.001-05:00

I get how crazy life is. On Sunday the pastor at the church I attend was commenting on someone he met who just wasn’t into “organized religion.” His reply to the person was, “That’s okay because our church is disorganized religion.” My thought was, “he just thinks he’s seen disorganized religion. He hasn’t been to the Wesley Foundation yet.” Anyone who has been a part of our ministry at

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner

2010-09-13T15:53:00.001-05:00

Why did the chicken cross the road? To run in Butler County’s Project Prom 5K race. Well at least I did, on Saturday. My strategy was simple: just keep running. I could run any speed I wanted, I just couldn’t stop. I knew if I ever stopped it would be so hard to regain my momentum. And the temptation to stop is so appealing when it is hot and hilly. But I didn’t stop; I finished the

Cardboard Blessings

2010-05-27T10:45:00.002-05:00

It happens in life that you come to a place of reckoning, where everything is stripped away and you come face to face with the stuff of who you are. It is like the heavens open up and you see yourself unvarnished. The supports fall away and the bare-naked truth reveals itself: We really are dust. Or cardboard. That's the way I came to think of it at a particularly pointed time of

Fourteen Years Ago Today . . . .

2010-05-25T14:06:00.002-05:00

My husband and I play this game. It's called, "Do you know what you were doing _________ years ago today?" Sometimes it goes by, "Do you remember where you were?" Or "What did you eat for dinner?" Or "What clothes were you wearing?" It's mostly him asking me, but I like it. It's a fun game.Mostly because it helps me mark milestones in my life, and the sign posts can often be missed because they

Sweetly Broken, Still

2010-05-21T20:29:00.003-05:00

I've spent the week still pondering the whole sugar bowl incident, and what it means to live my life with an open heart, even when it means that my heart might sometimes be broken. I have been pondering the connection between brokenness and love. The most powerful connection for me is Jesus, which the song "Sweetly Broken" is all about. Specifically I am considering the weight of love revealed

Sweetly Broken

2010-05-12T14:03:00.002-05:00

Monday I got to go to Camp Loucon for Youth Workers Sabbath. It’s one of my favorite things. I look forward to it each spring. It gives me a chance to reflect on where I am at the end of another school year, to renew some precious friendships with youth pastors who have been opening their hearts to kids for years, and to just be refreshed and renewed in some forgiving space for awhile.

Doing the Pee Pee Dance on South Lawn

2010-04-29T12:33:00.001-05:00

Let me begin by saying, this particular e-letter is not for the faint of heart. The subject after all is “doing the pee pee dance.” But I am a firm believer that everything teaches, and I will use anything to tell students about Jesus. Nothing is off limits. So here goes . . . . I have a urinary tract infection. The pain comes and goes, but when it comes, it is brutal. The feeling I

Common Beauty, Uncommon Love

2010-04-20T10:54:00.002-05:00

It is spring time and dandelions are everywhere. Have you ever thought about the difference between dandelions and potted plants? One is common; it grows at will, wild and un-tame. Very ordinary, and in its abundance very obscure. One is cultivated; it’s growth is precarious, needing time and attention. It grows through intention, needing specific care to be sustained. It is special,

Walk by Faith

2010-04-14T12:10:00.002-05:00

Last weekend eight students and I went to Camp Loucon for our Spring Retreat. It was awesome, and amazing, and it rocked our world! Woo Hoo!!!! Can you tell I had a great time? It was everything we needed it to be and more. The theme of our weekend was the twenty third Psalm; together we considered the many ways that God shepherds our lives. What I love about God is that He always speaks

Dream a Better Dream

2010-04-06T16:53:00.002-05:00

Long before Susan Boyle made it famous, I sang “I Dreamed a Dream” for Senior Night the year I graduated from High School. Absolutely love the song. But it sure is sad. From the musical Les Miserables it tells the story of a woman, Fantine, who loved and lost, who naively gave her heart away and found it returned to her in pieces. Yet sadder still, such a brief taste of love ultimately left

Fruit Basket Turnover--Wesley Foundation E-Letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2010-03-30T16:33:00.001-05:00

Hello All! Hope you have had a chance to enjoy this beautiful weather outside! It is truly a blessing! Vitamin D—Woo Hoo!!!! Here is what is going on this week: TONIGHT: A special service at 6:30pm in our Chapel in honor of Holy Week. Come and experience what God has to say to us through the final moments of Jesus’s life on earth. THURSDAY: Free meal & program, 6:30pm. We will

Liminality--Wesley Foundation E-Letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2010-03-25T16:50:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends, hope you are all well. I am so looking forward to Wesley tonight! It will be so good to see each and every one of you. And I have a surprise for everyone who comes! I got you all a present! WOO HOO!!!! You have to come and see what it is! It will bless you, bless you, bless you! Also, a word about Spring Retreat. If you haven’t told me you are coming, RSVP to facebook

You are gift-- Wesley Foundation E-letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2010-03-16T11:31:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone! Hope you all had a great spring break. It is good to be back, and I look forward to seeing you this week. We have some good things going on! TONIGHT: Worship at 6:30pm. Come and be refreshed with God’s Presence! THURSDAY: We will talk about Spring Break and think about how God showed up for us during that time! Now For Sami’s Ramblings About Jesus: You are

Miracle on 14th Street--Wesley Foundation E-Letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2010-03-02T11:46:00.001-06:00

Hey Everyone! Hope you all had a great weekend and are rested for a new week! Just one week to go before Spring Break. Yahoo! (And not the search engine, Yahoo, but the exclamation of great joy, Yahoo.) I know that you will be blessed this week as you get ready for the many adventures that Spring Break brings. You are all in my heart and prayers. This week, here is what’s happening:

Wesley Foundation--Weekly E-Letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2010-02-23T14:55:00.001-06:00

Hello Everyone! Hope you had a great weekend. It was such a blessing to experience sunshine and warm weather! Awesome! Maybe Spring is on its way. How cool would it be to be warm outside again? That’s a funny sentence! This week: TONIGHT: Worship @ 6:30pm. Faith must have an object. And all of us practice faith of some kind, we just may not realize it because its object may not

E-letter

2010-02-16T18:34:00.001-06:00

Hey Folks! Again, so much snow. The good news is that we will be so happy and appreciative of Spring! Woo Hoo! Here are the things coming up this week: ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE: Wednesday @ noon in the chapel. Come and focus your heart and mind on the season of Lent, a time of reflection and drawing close to God. FRONT PORCH OUTREACH: Wednesday, 12:30pm – 4pm We will be giving

Wake Up

2010-02-09T16:41:00.001-06:00

Now For Sami’s Ramblings About Jesus: There is a book sitting on a shelf in my office called The Awakened Heart. While the book itself is kind of a hard read (I’ve started and stopped it on several occasions), the title suggests something that stirs me deeply. I believe it is so easy to get into a rut in life, following the well worn path of the previous day, the previous week, the

Niggles--Wesley Foundation E-Letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2010-02-09T16:38:00.001-06:00

Dear Friends, Hope you are all doing well on this cold snowy morning! It’s slick out there, so be careful walking to class. It will be so nice once spring comes! Here are a few announcements about stuff coming up: Warm Fuzzy Outreach: Obviously not happening today with the snow. We will decide what to do tonight at worship and explore the possibility of doing it inside later on in

Baby News and End of Semester Schedule--Wesley E-letter

2009-11-30T08:05:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone! Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. You have been in my heart and prayers. I finally finished a couple of weeks ago the prayer ring that has each of the different kind of beaded lanyards on it that we handed out (and I hope you kept) at the beginning of the semester. I have it at home with me, so even though I’m not there in person, I am there in heart. I think of all of

Throwing a Fit in God's Throne Room--Wesley Foundation E-Letter (Methodist Campus Minstry)

2009-11-09T15:18:00.001-06:00

Dear Friends, Hey there! Isn’t this weather beautiful? I love that I am wearing short sleeves! And that I can still fit in to my cute, blue shirt. And that my jeans are staying up! Today I do not look like Larry the Cable Guy from behind—Let’s all praise the Lord!!!! This week is a good one. We have special things going on— Tuesday—6:30pm Worship @ Wesley, David Sparks is

Chocolate Goodness--A Feast of Love. Wesley E-letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2009-10-27T14:39:00.001-05:00

Hey you guys! Hope everyone is doing well. It’s the week of Halloween and so much is happening! Here is what’s going on around here: Tonight—Worship @ 6:30pm. Our message will focus on how we can overcome fear in our lives. There really is a way to not be ruled by it. Come and see how God has a plan to give you freedom from every nagging worry, anxiety, and fearful thing in your life.

Apple Days--Wesley E-letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2009-10-19T14:56:00.001-05:00

Yay! It’s sunny outside! I am so happy to see the sunshine. Even though it is still cold, it is just so good to not be surrounded by gray. So our Fall Retreat didn’t work out. It’s okay because we will reschedule for Spring. And after thinking about it, being in the middle of nowhere with no cell phone coverage, late in pregnancy, and engaging in activities like low elements, rappelling,

Missteps & Meanderings--Wesley Foundation Eletter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2009-10-13T16:32:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends, Hope you all had a great Fall Break. It was so good to get away and be frivolous for a little while. Our family visited Atlanta for the weekend. The big thing for us was the indoor swimming pool. Woo Hoo! Anyway, my prayer is that you each made it home safely and found yourself refreshed for the second half of the semester. Just think, in two months it will be finals!

Worship Tonight!

2009-10-06T17:02:00.000-05:00

Hey! Just a reminder that we are having worship tonight! Come and get out of the rain and be blessed. Broadway is coming to share music with us. Our message will be on the holiness of God. It should be pretty cool! In fact, it’s pretty cool to just be together. Y’all are awesome! Blessings, Sami To subscribe or unsubscribe to the Wesley Foundation Weekly E-Letter List go to:

The Perspective of Heaven--Wesley Foundation E-letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2009-09-29T17:12:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends, Hope everyone is doing well. It looks like Fall has officially begun. I am actually cold as I sit here in my office, and I even have long sleeves and jeans on! But it is nice to have a change of season. It’s good to enjoy the crispness of autumn. This is what we have going on this week. Tonight at worship (6:30pm) we will focus on God’s mercy: What does God’s mercy

Important Change to Progressive Dinner Schedule!!!

2009-09-21T14:44:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone! Just got a call from State St. UMC. Pastor Paul Fryman wanted to let us know that a member of their congregation passed away and the services will be held @ State St. on Thursday. So we won’t be able to go there for appetizers. Please keep the congregation in your prayers. As for our evening, meet at the Wesley Foundation @ 5:45 PM. We will pick back up with St. James UMC

What Season Is It? Wesley Foundation E-letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2009-09-21T14:20:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone! Hope you are all doing well! I so enjoy the times I get to spend with you, just hanging out during the day between classes, or at worship in our chapel, or in our very spirited discussions on Thursday nights. Please know that each one of you are so precious, in God’s eyes and in mine. And if you are reading this and haven’t been over to check us out yet, come on down! We

All Will Be Well--Wesley Foundation E-Letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2009-09-14T15:36:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone! Did you have a good weekend? I did—and I’m so glad to be back on campus with you. I feel so blessed that I get paid to walk this journey with each of you. If I’ve forgotten to tell you lately, YOU ROCK! And you have a special place in my heart. So how about all the cool stuff we have going on this week? WORSHIP is tomorrow night, 6:30pm as usual in the chapel. We will

Cookout Tonight (ie free food) and Worship on the Front Porch! Wesley Foundation E-letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2009-09-08T16:08:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! Hope you had a great Labor Day Weekend and that you came back refreshed. I got to sleep in like twice. How cool is that!!!!! Here is what’s going on this week: Tonight we are having a cookout on our front porch! Mel and Dave (from Covenant UMC, Louisville) are coming up to bless us and everyone who walks by with free food. They are bringing cornhole, hamburgers,

Cool Stuff Happening This Week @ Wesley! --Wesley Foundation E-Letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2009-08-31T13:24:00.001-05:00

Hey Everyone! Hope you are having a great beginning to the school year. It's beautiful outside, a great day to begin on. I just wanted to let you know what kinds of things we have going on to kick off the new year at the Wesley Foundation this week. TONIGHT-- Night of Service, 6-9pm. Meet at the the Wesley Foundation to help assemble goody bags for our Methodist students on campus. Last

Can you help with Move In on Saturday and Sunday?

2009-08-21T15:52:00.001-05:00

Hey Everyone! We finally got feedback on helping with move-in Saturday and Sunday. Saturday we are assigned to Barnes from 5-9pm. Sunday we are assigned to Minton from 8am-4pm. Then our welcome back cookout is from 6-9pm. The only rule is we all have to have matching Wesley Foundation t-shirts and not use this as recruiting event. We are simply there to help and serve. I have our new

Welcome to Campus! what's happening at the Wesley Foundation (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2009-08-21T15:48:00.001-05:00

Here's our awesome schedule for the week! We look forward to seeing everyone as we gather on campus once again. If you can't get into your dorm yet come and stay at the Wesley Foundation. We have comfy couches and new futons too! Master Plan: Aug. 22-27 Sunday Welcome Cookout, 6pm-9pm, Foundation Meet at the

She Laughed--Wesley Foundation E-Letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2009-06-06T08:29:00.001-05:00

Hey Guys and Gals, I just felt the need to ramble! Now For Sami’s Ramblings About Jesus: Don’t know how many of you know it or not, but Tim and I are expecting . . . . again. This makes number three for us. My doctor says I have a condition called AMA. Yeah, I suffer from “advanced maternal age.” Basically that means I’m pregnant and over 35. It’s kind of comical to me because

Conclusions--Wesley Foundation E-letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2009-05-05T14:00:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends, Hope all is well as you finish up this last week of school. Can you believe it? You made it this far! Whoopee!!!! A few more miles and then. . . . Tonight is our special worship time honoring our graduating senior, Kelly. Join at 6:30pm in our chapel. THURSDAY is our 80’s Dance Party/Prom. We will have free food and all kinds of surprises! So join us at 6:30 then

In-Between Times--Wesley Foundation E-letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2009-04-28T14:18:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends, Hope you are all doing well. It is that crazy time of year again as we get closer to finals. Just think, in three weeks we will have crossed the finish line. Yay!!!! This has been a wonderful journey together. I think you all are the best travel companions! Hey, tomorrow is Stresstivus on South Lawn from 11am till 4pm. We will be set up as a part of it with the

Beauty in Unlikely Places--Wesley Foundation E-Letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2009-04-21T15:02:00.001-05:00

Hello Everyone!!!! Hope you are all very blessed. We had a fantastic time at Mt. Union UMC on Sunday morning. I am so proud of all of our students who went. It was such a blessing. This week we go out again to Christ UMC on Wednesday (meet at Wesley @ 5pm) and to Faith UMC on Sunday (meet at Wesley @ 8am). It will be so cool!!!!! Remember we have worship tonight at 6:30pm and then a

Reason to Hope Again--Wesley Foundation E-letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2009-04-13T12:02:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone! I hope you had a fantastic Easter weekend. It was just so good to be with family and remember God’s goodness. Now it’s time to jump back into the craziness of a semester speeding toward conclusion! Let’s all hang on for a wild ride! This Tuesday night at 6:30pm we will conclude our look at the armor of God. Join us for a message on the Sword of the Spirit. In the armor

Hope in Desperate Places--Wesley Foundation e-letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2009-04-08T17:05:00.001-05:00

Hey folks! Hope all is well with you! We still have a lot going on this semester. Our outreach season is getting ready to launch. Next week after worship on Tuesday and during program on Thursday we will put together exactly what we will be doing for the churches we will be visiting. Our outreach schedule is as follows: Sunday, April 19th—Mt. Union UMC Wednesday, April 22—Christ UMC

Seed Life Planted Here--Wesley Foundation E-letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2009-04-02T11:49:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends, Hope all is doing well! Isn’t it beautiful outside? It is so good to just sit in the sunshine. Let’s all agree we’ll take a moment to let the sun shine on us today! I’m in! Hopefully you are having a good week. Remember to bring your CANNED GOODS to the Wesley Foundation to participate in the campus wide food drive sponsored by CSF to help restore the food levels at

The Best Things In Life Can't Be Ruined By the Economy--Wesley Foundation Eletter (Methodist Campus Minsitry)

2009-03-23T16:23:00.001-05:00

Hello everyone! Hope you had a great weekend! This week as we gather together, lets remember to bring some canned goods for local food banks. This is a small way we can impact people’s lives with God’s grace. Thanks to CSF for organizing it! They rock! As we look ahead we have some cool stuff coming up. Next Monday night at 6:30pm in Garret room 301 there will be a prayer gathering

Somebody fed me on our Mission Trip--How Cool! Wesley Foundation E-letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2009-03-17T10:43:00.000-05:00

Hellooooooo! I hope each of you had an amazing spring break! It is good to be back in town. I can’t wait to swap stories of our crazy adventures! Can anyone say Chevy Chase and National Lampoon’s Vacation? Anyway, this week we are back to our regular schedule. Worship tonight at 6:30pm. And Thursday we will have a free meal and program. Justine Pile will also be there to discuss

The Difference Between Tutors and Tooties--Wesley Foundation E-letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2009-02-23T17:05:00.001-06:00

Dear friends, Hope all is well with you this week! This week begins the season of Lent, the 40 days (not including Sunday’s) leading up to Easter. Lent has traditionally been a time to focus on turning our whole attention to Christ, to actively create space in our lives where this is possible (especially where it has not been before), and to listen intently to what He would say to us as

You're Beautiful! Wesley Foundation E-Letter (United Methodist Campus Ministry)

2009-02-17T16:21:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends, Hope all of you are doing well! I look forward to getting to see you this week. We are back on our regular schedule this week: Worship Tonight @ 6:30pm at Wesley Thursday night free meal & program @ 6:30pm at Wesley Ladies Groups: Wednesday @ 1:30pm Thursday @ 3pm We begin a new series of messages tonight based on Ephesians 6, being clothed in the armor

Chili Prayers--Wesley Foundation E-letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2009-02-05T11:58:00.001-06:00

Dear Friends, I hope you are staying warm in all of this cold weather! If you want a ride to the Wesley Foundation just call 270-842-2880 thirty minutes before we meet and someone will come and pick you up! Also, this should warm your insides: We were able to give $94.11 from our student offerings to help people who are still suffering from the winter storm. I know many of your families

Welcome Back to WKU: String Bikini's and It's great to be you!-- Wesley Foundation E-letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2009-01-26T16:00:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends, It is awesome to be back on the hill, and yes, we are back on schedule for our regular times this week (weather permitting of course). Tomorrow night we will have WORSHIP at 6:30pm. The praise team from Christ UMC led by Marco Ballesteros, Jr. will be leading us. Our service will also center around praying for the semester and the year, consecrating it wholly to Him and

Lightning McQeen and Christmas--Wesley E-letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2008-12-10T15:02:00.001-06:00

Hello Friends! Hope finals are going well. We have one more day of FREE LUNCH! Come by tomorrow from 11am till 1pm (or after). We will be having lasagna and ziti. And we have a fantastic road trip on Friday. Be sure and show up on Friday at 4pm at the Wesley for our annual Opryland Road Trip. We will go to Opry Mills to shop and eat. And then about 7:30pm or 8pm we will walk over

Telling the Story--Wesley Foundation E-Letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2008-12-03T10:48:00.000-06:00

Hey Everyone! Here’s what’s going on: Cocoa and Christmas Clips—This Thursday we will be on South Lawn from 3-5pm giving away hot chocolate. At 5pm we will project “Rudolf” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” onto Academic Complex. Come and be blessed! Thursday Night Free Meal & Christmas Party-- Afterwards, we will come back to the Wesley Foundation for Chinese food, we will have a

The Gift of Now--Wesley Foundation E-Letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2008-11-12T15:22:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends, Hope all of you are having a great day, and staying warm! The weather changes so fast around here. Before you know it we will be in heavy coats! Here is fun stuff coming up: Thursday night is our regular meal and program at 6:30pm. This will be your opportunity to share what the Wesley Foundation means to you with members of our Board of Directors. It will also

2008-11-05T16:43:00.001-06:00

Dear Friends, I hope all of you got a chance to vote yesterday. It was truly a day of historic proportions. Whether it was a woman in the White House or the election of an African American as our president, both outcomes make history. Last week in my University Experience class we watched Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech. Regardless of who you voted for, yesterday’s

Be a child today! Wesley Foundation E-letter (Methodist Student Center)

2008-10-14T17:15:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends, Hope you are doing well this fine October day. It seems to be too hot to be Autumn, but the trees have begun to change and fall is in the air, even if only briefly. We do have some fun things going on this week, so take a look! Tonight is worship at 6:30 pm. Come and join us! Thursday we will be having a cookout and movie night on South Lawn! This will be so

Does holy ground really exist on a college campus? WKU Wesley Foundation E-letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2008-10-07T15:59:00.000-05:00

Hello Friends! So it looks like fall has finally landed. I was leaving my University Experience class today when it started raining. I hid out in Mass Media instead of walking up the hill. Thanks Nic for giving me a ride back up to the Wesley! Here is what is going on this week: Tonight is Worship @ 6:30pm in our chapel. We did some rearranging; it looks great! Come and check

Take a Clutter Break! Wesley Foundation Weekly E-Letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2008-09-29T16:34:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends, Hope all is well with you this fine day! I’m sitting on the front porch of the Wesley Foundation writing this e-letter. How cool is that! It’s a gorgeous afternoon. May you all get out enjoy it! Even though it is Fall Break this week, we do have some things going on. Tomorrow night we have worship, and for those who would like to stay we will have a leadership/

Progressive Dinner Thursday night hosted by our local Methodist Churches

2008-09-24T15:41:00.001-05:00

Hi there! Just wanted to let everyone know that tomorrow night we will get to enjoy a progressive dinner to be hosted by our local United Methodist Churches. If you are looking for a local congregation to attend on Sunday mornings, this event is for you. You will have an opportunity to see what each one is like, and even get to meet the pastors. This is great for finding a church family at

Don't Be a Flip-Top Head! Wesley Foundation E-Letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2008-09-16T14:37:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends, Hey! Hope everyone is having a great day. What about this weather? Isn’t it nice to have a break from the heat? Fall is definitely in the air! This week we have so much going on. Tonight is worship at 6:30pm in our chapel. Come and enjoy the musical stylings of Kyle and Justine. It is truly a sweet experience. Just the thing to unwind from a hectic schedule, to

It's a New Day! Wesley Foundation E-Letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2008-09-09T15:48:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends, Hope you are all having a great day! We are finally past that first week of school blitz, and things are beginning to take on a routine. Praise God! It is awesome to be in a new school year! Tonight we begin our Tuesday night worship services at 6:30pm. We will start music early this evening about 6:20pm if you want to come by and enjoy some extra worship time. One of

Work Day at Wesley--Let's spruce up for our new students!

2008-07-07T16:02:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends, It is the time of year when students begin to prepare to make their way to the hill. And it is the time of year when we begin to prepare to welcome them. Please join with us as we make our buildings and grounds a warm and welcoming place for our new students. Join us for our:

Everyone Gets A Rose--Wesley Foundation E-Letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2008-05-01T11:11:00.000-05:00

Dear Friends, The end of the semester is upon us! Important information following all these exclamation points!!!!!!! Tonight is our Senior Worship service! Come and help us pray and commission our seniors as we bless them and send them forth! Dinner at 6:30pm. Worship at 7:30pm. Faith’s Praise Band coming! Also we will be electing officers tonight!!!! Next week Monday through

Keep on keepin on! Wesley Foundation E-Letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2008-04-24T14:31:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends, Hey! Hey! Hey! It’s Sami Wilson, the crazy campus minister in your life. J Hope you have had a chance to enjoy the good weather. It’s been beautiful. Tonight is our big Guitar Hero extravaganza. We are having it at the Wesley instead of South Lawn, because of impending rain. But there will still be lots of food, lots of fun, and since we are having it here, more

Chin up! Wesley Foundation E-Letter (Methodist Campus Ministry)

2008-04-16T10:38:00.001-05:00

Hey there! It’s gorgeous outside—Yay!!!!!!!!! Tomorrow night we meet for free food at 6:30 and then we will have a mystery night! It will be cool! God is good! Hope everyone got the message about Friday. Free lunch at noon at the Wesley Foundation. Come and share the way you see God moving in this ministry. It will be fun! Now For Sami’s Ramblings About Jesus: Every now and