The Asbury Journey

It was a beautiful day in early September 1981 when we pulled out of town, headed east on I-70, drove past Genoa, and made our way to the I-64 cut off in St Louis.  Unfortunately, the next day wasn't so pretty.  The U-Haul shredded a tire and the great adventure came to a halt just outside Belleville, Illinois not far from Scott Air Force base.  We could have used a really strong military action!

Ultimately we came to the Y just south of Lexington and started down Highway 29.  It rolls and turns through beautiful pastures until it changes to Lexington Avenue.  From there is is downtown Wilmore and a mile later you are on your way to the Kentucky River and the community of High Bridge. 

It was beautiful!  But it was also hot...I mean HOT!  September in Colorado is cool in the morning, warm in the afternoon, and cool again for sleeping.  Not so in Wilmore, Kentucky!  We started to unload the truck in front of 303 E. Morrison Street in the middle of the gray ghetto.  Three minutes later I was a dripping wet.  Something must be wrong here.  This is not right.  What happened to our Colorado climate?  Somehow I thought at least a little bit of Colorado would come with us.  No way!

On day one we were blessed to meet about 20 other students who all came to help us move in.  It took about 30 minutes to unload the truck, get everything set up, and learn some new names.  As it turns out, we were experiencing Wilmore hospitality.  It rubbed off!  Over the years we helped lots of students load for departure and unload for a fresh arrival.  It was  a wonderful tradition that goes on today.

Day one at Asbury Seminary was memorable.  I walked home at lunch all excited to tell Sue that my New Testament class was going to read and outline all 27 books of the New Testament.  It was going to be great!  By afternoon I learned that our Old Testament course was assigned the task of reading and outlining (in great detail!) all of the 39 books of the Old Testament.  And there were three more courses with high expectations to balance along the way.  I was still excited but I wondered if an old brain could really pull off the task.

In the end, our three student years in Wilmore were some of the best we have ever experienced.  Life long friends, a fresh filling of the Spirit, wonderful years of worship, and a bunch of things I was ready to try out in the church.  I wouldn't trade those years for anything.  In fact, over the years I have recommended and hosted a number of students on campus.  Several of them have taken the plunge, graduated, and are now serving here in Colorado. Three of our finest are there right now.  You can pray for Stephanie, Joy, and Aaron as they prepare to serve the church.

Maybe you are next!  Let's talk!