The Ask Mom ministry reaches out to students at UCCS and strives to impart God’s love to them. Through a simple smile, 
cookie, and offer of a hug, the Moms open the door to deeper conversation. We visit campus the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month and set up a table outside the library, close to a coffee shop. After having to leave campus for almost a year during Covid, not many students remembered us or knew us when we went back. We are gaining momentum now and so many students know us, looking for us on Thursdays. One student recently showed us a picture of a bulletin board on campus titled “What Makes You Happy?” and zoomed in on a sticky-note that read “Moms giving us hugs and cookies.
We have students approach us with a look of suspicion, wondering what we are selling or what club we are trying to get them to join. When they realize we’re just moms trying to make sure they know they are loved and supported, the smiles we get in return are heartwarming. When students ask very real questions (Is college worth it? Should I 
break up with my boyfriend? How should I honor my mom, who passed away 7 years ago, on Thanksgiving?) we listen for the Holy Spirit to guide us and use the God given Mom-skills we have to help. When students who visited several weeks ago come back, we connect like no time has passed and ask how they are doing. They love to update us and leave feeling heard and seen.
We know we are having an impact on the students we see. The secret is, the Moms are also being impacted. We rejoice with the students rejoicing and mourn with those mourning. The love they show us as they approach with open arms, anticipating their hug, warms us to no end! Isn’t it just like God to ask us to minister to others but be ministered to in return? He’s an amazing God.
Would you like to be an Ask Mom? Do you love Jesus, have sent one of your own kiddos off to college, and are willing to talk to and hug strangers? This could be the ministry for you! We are looking for a few more Moms to join us.
Contact Laura Shorey Lbs38co@yahoo.com for more information.
