Fresh X at Seneca Rocks!
Here's a cool picture from my (Lisa) weekend at Seneca Rocks, WVA on OWU's Freshman Experience (otherwise known as "Fresh X"). Ryan Carlson, our director of Wilderness Ministries, invited me to serve as the food coordinator. It was a terrific opportunity to come alongside some amazing student leaders as they befriended and guided incoming freshman through their transition into college.

There were about 60 students who participated in everything from service (cleaning and panting at the National Park), to hiking, rock climbing, white water rafting, and backpacking. Before you become impressed with my sudden passion for the wilderness, I stayed in a bunkhouse all weekend. Mattress, showers, electricity... my kind of wilderness. There were a lot of bugs though! Yuck.

It was the perfect transition for myself back into the swing of campus ministry after an amazing summer in Ireland. It reminded me of my passion for college students and their journey into adulthood. We had the most friendly and outgoing group of students. They were also very "gamey", playing every game they learned from kindergarten on. It was a blast to see young adults laughing and playing without pause to think about what they looked like to their peers. No trendy clothes, no make-up (barely bathed actually), no alcohol, no drugs, just nature and tons of safe people. Our student leaders stepped up and made a difference for a few incoming freshman, shaping their entire college career for the better. I am so grateful for the opportunity to witness their work.

By the way, Luong started classes yesterday, so he would covet your prayers! A new school year means a new crop of not so eager 8th graders to teach. Golf is well underway and we're off to Indiana this weekend to celebrate birthdays with the family (mine is Saturday... 34 shhh).

God Bless
The Hos
(PS my friend Suzanne thought that was a great "sound off" so I'm going to use it every time!)