College Entrance 101

The end of August, brought not only the start of a new life for my middle son, Brandyn, as a high school graduate, but also a memorable face to face experience with one of God's miracles.

Brandyn began dating Sarah in February.  He decided at this point, that he wanted to attend Abilene Christian College.  Up till then, I hadn't been able to motivate him to apply for college, even with the deadline looming.  He made the May 1st deadline and was accepted to ACU for the spring semester, but would have to take courses at a junior college in the meantime.

Brandyn and Sarah had decided that they wanted to spend as much time as possible, before she was dropped off at ACU.  After long discussions, we decided this would be the perfect time to make a college visit to ACU, so we began planning to make the trip with Sarah and her mother.

We left on Friday, Aug. 17th, driving the 7-7 1/2 hour drive to Abilene.  Sarah's mom and I drove up in one car, loaded down with Sarah's soon to be dorm room, while Brandyn and Sarah drove Sarah's car, which was also loaded down.  After we arrived, we settled into our hotel rooms and wondered over to see the campus.  The next two days were busy with moving Sarah into her dorm and orientation.  

Since we were staying until Tuesday and couldn't spend Monday or Tuesday with Sarah and her mother, I suggested to Brandyn that we might want to visit the other two universities in Abilene, just to keep our options open.  Brandyn began to balk at this, but realized it was better than sitting in the hotel room all day, so we visited Hardin-Simmons first.  

We walked in the doors at 10:30am on Monday, the 20th.  After establishing that we didn't have an appointment, the young man at the desk found an admissions consultant to assist us.  We spoke with her briefly and explained that we were just looking over the campus as a possibility for Brandyn to attend in the spring, with junior college hours.  The woman told us that would make Brandyn a transfer student and she would have to get someone else to help us, unless Brandyn would like to attend this fall.  I was shocked and asked her if they still had openings for the fall.  She assured me they did, so Brandyn began the application process.  He had previously filled gone through the Texas application process.

After the lady stepped out of her office to go check the fax machine, I told Brandyn, "If this is where God wants you to attend school, He will throw the doors so far open, you will fall in."  Little did I know that was going to be an understatement.

Once the lady returned with the faxes of Brandyn's transcripts and other information, she handed him a letter of acceptance and the race was on to finish getting him everything he needed to get into college that day.  We were sent to the Logsden Seminary Building, where we spoke with a professor/administrator about ministry and two scholarships.  When we returned to the lady, she had acquired three other scholarships for Brandyn.  We were then sent out to get Brandyn's meningitis shot and some lunch.  While we were out, the lady was able to get the ten day waiting period for the meningitis shot waived.  When we returned, she took us on a campus tour and to the housing department, where we acquired a dorm room.  Then we made a trip over to the dorm, where we were able to see his room.  His roommate was already moved in, but not present, when we arrived.  We left the university at 4:30pm, with an acceptance letter, five scholarships, a dorm room and an overwhelming feeling that God had orchestrated the entire day.

We left after lunch on Tuesday and headed home with a happy Brandyn in the back seat and a very excited Sarah anticipating his return on Friday.  Wednesday, was spent obtaining Brandyn's certification for ministry and buying everything he needed for his dorm room.  Thursday, was spent washing clothes and Friday, the 24th, we hit the road again, headed back to Abilene.  We moved Brandyn into his dorm room on Saturday, ate breakfast with Sarah and Brandyn on Sunday morning and then said our goodbyes.

What did we learn in College 101?  First of all, never doubt or think anything is beyond God's care, whether big or small.  Second, always keep your options open, because you never know where God will lead you.  Third, miracles happen every day, even getting into college five days before classes begin.

A side note...I don't think I could have handled knowing Brandyn was going that far away for college, if he had been admitted half a year to a year ago.  I believe God planned this, knowing that I would have a hard time, if I had to think about it.  In the few short days that we had to get him ready, after Brandyn was accepted, I had no time to really dwell on his leaving.  

All praise goes to an all loving, caring, giving God.