Thursday, August 25, 2011

The Mindset of the Freshman Class

I don't know a whole lot about Beloit College and their "mindset" studies, but their work is pretty interesting and helpful for those of us who work at connecting and with students.   The Beloit College Mindset List,  looks at the "cultural touchstones" that shape and influence the lives of students entering college this fall. 


This video summarizes some of the findings.  One guy does the talking and the other guy sits there looking like a major creeper!



For this class of Freshman born mostly in 1993 Andre the Giant, River Phoenix, Frank Zappa, Arthur Ashe and the Commodore 64 have always been dead.  They’ve always wanted to be like Shaq or Kobe: Michael Who?  O.J. Simpson has always been accused of some crime, their parents have always been able to create a will and other legal documents online, charter schools have always been an alternative, Frasier, Sam, Woody and Rebecca have never Cheerfully frequented a bar in Boston during primetime, and they've quite possibly broken up with their significant others via texting, Facebook, or MySpace.
find out more at http://www.beloit.edu/mindset/2015/

Monday, August 22, 2011

King Size Grill!

Today we got things going on campus with the annual Fellowship fair BBQ!  We served over 700 hamburgers and hot dogs to hundreds of students.

This year we upgraded our grilling situation and rented two of these big dogs from Aardark Welding and Fabricating.


It was an excellent day!  Beautiful weather and the chance to meet and welcome tons of new students to campus!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Visiting Santa Fe 2

Today we drove from Windsor Colorado where we had been for the past three days visiting Stephanie's parents and some of our cousins and other relatives.  I'll post some pictures from those three days soon, as there are many good ones!

But right now, we are back in Santa Fe for two nights before we had back to Ithaca.  We came back down here so that we can accompany my mom and dad to the UNM hospital tomorrow to meet with a team of doctors.  It's a big appointment with a team of specialists that my dad goes to every three months.  We'll get a lot of information related to my dad's rapidly degenerating health.

Two weeks ago, when I wrote a post my dad was feeding himself.  But at this point we must feed him.  Two weeks ago when I wrote, my dad was still walking around the house without any real assistance,   but not this week.   His confidence is down after a recent fall off the bed and so now he is using his walker around the house.  We borrowed a wheel chair from the neighbors, and when my dad goes out we are using it.  In the coming weeks, he will get one fitted specifically for him.   We acquired a motorized hospital bed from a friend, and hopefully in the coming weeks my mom can put that together.

Over the past few weeks we've been modifying the house in little ways to make it more ready for the wheel chair when it comes.

We love spending this time with my dad, and as we get ready to head back to NY we feel extremely burdened as we strive to figure out what exactly we should do to best serve and help my mom and dad.  Please pray for us as we learn more and walk together thru this season of difficulty.

A glorious and helpful passage comes from Nehemiah 8:10 -The joy of the Lord is your strength...


Tonight we also read Psalm 111 together.  My dad has been going thru the One Year Bible for sometime now.
[111:1]  Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. [2] Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. [3] Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. [4] He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful. [5] He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. [6] He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations. [7] The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy; [8] they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. [9] He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name! [10] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!