Happy Autumn! It’s finally happened: Andy and I no longer have a child in school (elementary, middle, high, or college). It has been 27 years since Cady started Kindergarten. Cady and Khloe are doing Kindergarten at home this year (Rylie is doing Pre-K). Miss Murphy goes “to school” everyday with mom. Rachel is in Orlando taking an online class for a certification while she recovers from her ankle surgery (she had to go to our family doctor, then get an MRI, then go to a podiatrist, then go to an orthopedist, and finally the surgery happened October 7).
As a newer member of the campus ministry of Cru, I (Catherine) am loving having a closer connection to mission work around the country. 
At the University of Tennessee the ministry hosted a welcome back party for their current students, and then welcomed new students with bottles of water and surveys on their way to Torch Night: a welcome from the university and a Rocky Top tradition. One staff member shared, “It was awesome and so visionary to see the entirety of the class of 2025 pass right before us.” (Now try not to sing “Rocky Top!”)
Oasis Ranch is a new putt-putt place near Clemson University. The Clemson Cru team decided to rent out the entire facility and host a putt-putt tournament for new freshman. They could play free of charge, enjoy root bear floats and find out more about Cru. One student who attended, Emily, came to South Carolina from California. She wanted to know more about God, and after one of the Cru staff explained about having a relationship with God, Emily prayed and received Jesus as her Savior. The staff girl was able to give Emily her very first Bible.
One focus within the campus ministry is called Nations, our staff and volunteers who work to reach students who are Native American. Montana State University in Bozeman is experiencing its largest enrollment in history. The American Indian population on campus is breaking those same records with more than 700 attending MSU. The Cru kick-off picnic saw more than 50 of those students attend.
Something unexpected happened at each Welcome Week event at Western Michigan: downpours relocated the Root Beer Social into the education building lobby, but new students joined the Cru students inside. At Party by the Ponds, two freshmen from Afghanistan were the MVPs of the pickup volleyball game. Bonfire and S’mores Night was enlivened by Bollywood music requested from students from India. Yard Games Party was interrupted when the sprinklers came on, spraying everyone. Those memorable nights were filled with conversations with new students, many of whom were far from God. Many of the older students took steps to meet the freshmen and invite them to further activities and connections.
These types of stories are why I joined the staff of Cru — they’re all about changed lives; people connecting to Jesus and growing in that relationship. I love being able to read about the people who are hearing about Jesus for the first time. I really enjoy hearing about the students and faculty who are drawn to the Cru students and staff. And you are helping me to do that, through your prayers and partnership. Thank you!
The Kelloggs 