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.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
It's a God Thing
Sometimes in life, something happens that either causes you to step back and exclaim "Wow!" or you stand there stunned, smile peacefully, and know that this is a God thing.
In the last two months, I have experienced two unbelievable happenings, that I know without a doubt were orchestrated by God and not just coincidence. The odds of these two encounters happening are extremely rare.
First, my son began dating this precious girl. I've discovered that the more I'm around her the more I like her. She has spent time at our house, gone with us places and eaten out with us. I've enjoyed getting to know her and realize we have a lot in common. Her mom seems to have a love in common with me as well.
One day, my son was telling us somethings that he had learned about his girlfriend. He explained that she had a strong dislike for Louisiana. I told my son that I wasn't a big fan of the state, but I loved the northern part, because of the tall pine trees and the rolling hills. It also, happened to be where my Mom's sister and her family lived. I spent many a weekend or holiday on their ranch when I was growing up.
Brandyn told me that the northern part of Louisiana was exactly the part of the state that she didn't like. I asked why and he explained that her father would drag her from cemetery to museums, to other places, that involved the Civil War. It seems that her father is a Civil War buff.
The next night, we ate dinner with Brandyn and his girlfriend. We were chatting, when I asked her what part of northern Louisiana, her father lived in. She told me he lived in the Monroe area. I then told her I had family in the Choudrant/Ruston area. I heard her take in a sharp breath and then she told me her step mom was from Choudrant. I told her, because that is such a small town, that my family probably knew her step mother. I asked her what her name was and she told me Susan King. Then it was my turn to take in a sharp breath, because my cousin's last name was King. She then explained that Susan had lost her husband and later married her dad. I asked her several specific questions, but she couldn't tell me any of the answers. The whole time, Brandyn, was telling me, "Mom, stop it, this is just weird!!!"
My brain is working over time at this point. I was trying to think back to whether my cousin Kenny had died. Does this woman have a daughter named Rachel, who is red headed? Is my cousin Caroline still alive? So many questions, but no answers.
A week later, I met Susan during prom pictures, but had been forbidden by Brandyn and his girlfriend from asking her questions. I took pictures on that day, which had Susan in some of them. I have shown those pictures to my brother, who met Susan many years ago, but he wasn't 100% sure that it was her.
Maybe, one day, I'll get to ask Susan questions or talk with Brandy's girlfriend's mother, to find out about my cousins in Choudrant. By the way, I have sent cards, to my cousin Caroline, over the years and have never received an answer or had the cards returned.
The second situation happened yesterday. I was checking email, when I noticed that there was a possible new customer for my Mary Kay website. I found this odd, since I am not at the level where my website would be given out to unknown people. I read the email that went with it and then sat there stunned.
It was from a woman in New Hampshire telling me that she had been trying to contact me by phone, but had been unable to reach me. She explained that she had two pictures, of whom she thought were my grandparents Calvin and Grace Root. That caught my interest, but I was skeptical.
She went on to explain that she was a genealogy buff and had promised her uncle that she would find part of his family to give the pictures to. She told me she had done some research through obituaries and ran across my sister-in-law, Cindy's name. Now in my mind, I'm thinking, how did you put my maiden name and my married name to my sister-in-law, by marriage?
I kept reading... She explained that her Aunt Kapsy, was her mother's sister and she had passed away in 2005. She explained that her Uncle Charles Root, was still living and had sent her some of her Aunt's things. These two pictures were among her belongings.
I wrote her back and asked how she knew Cindy and told her that Calvin and Grace were my grandparents. I then googled her name and address to see if she was on the up and up. Sure enough what she had told me was there on the internet, but there were things that she told me, that I already knew, that weren't listed on the internet. I decided to take the chance and send her my address.
This morning, she wrote me back and emailed me scanned photos of my grandparents. She then told me she was putting the real photos in the mail to me. We talked back and fort a couple of more times about Kapsy and Charles, who were my dad's 1st cousins. She then sent me Charles' address and his sister Doris' address. It occurred to me that they are probably the only 1st cousins still alive.
Looking back over these couple of events, that only God could have orchestrated, I found myself wondering, why does God want me to find these cousins? I don't know, but I do plan to contact them with the hopes they will answer me back.
Our God is an amazing God!!!
In the last two months, I have experienced two unbelievable happenings, that I know without a doubt were orchestrated by God and not just coincidence. The odds of these two encounters happening are extremely rare.
First, my son began dating this precious girl. I've discovered that the more I'm around her the more I like her. She has spent time at our house, gone with us places and eaten out with us. I've enjoyed getting to know her and realize we have a lot in common. Her mom seems to have a love in common with me as well.
One day, my son was telling us somethings that he had learned about his girlfriend. He explained that she had a strong dislike for Louisiana. I told my son that I wasn't a big fan of the state, but I loved the northern part, because of the tall pine trees and the rolling hills. It also, happened to be where my Mom's sister and her family lived. I spent many a weekend or holiday on their ranch when I was growing up.
Brandyn told me that the northern part of Louisiana was exactly the part of the state that she didn't like. I asked why and he explained that her father would drag her from cemetery to museums, to other places, that involved the Civil War. It seems that her father is a Civil War buff.
The next night, we ate dinner with Brandyn and his girlfriend. We were chatting, when I asked her what part of northern Louisiana, her father lived in. She told me he lived in the Monroe area. I then told her I had family in the Choudrant/Ruston area. I heard her take in a sharp breath and then she told me her step mom was from Choudrant. I told her, because that is such a small town, that my family probably knew her step mother. I asked her what her name was and she told me Susan King. Then it was my turn to take in a sharp breath, because my cousin's last name was King. She then explained that Susan had lost her husband and later married her dad. I asked her several specific questions, but she couldn't tell me any of the answers. The whole time, Brandyn, was telling me, "Mom, stop it, this is just weird!!!"
My brain is working over time at this point. I was trying to think back to whether my cousin Kenny had died. Does this woman have a daughter named Rachel, who is red headed? Is my cousin Caroline still alive? So many questions, but no answers.
A week later, I met Susan during prom pictures, but had been forbidden by Brandyn and his girlfriend from asking her questions. I took pictures on that day, which had Susan in some of them. I have shown those pictures to my brother, who met Susan many years ago, but he wasn't 100% sure that it was her.
Maybe, one day, I'll get to ask Susan questions or talk with Brandy's girlfriend's mother, to find out about my cousins in Choudrant. By the way, I have sent cards, to my cousin Caroline, over the years and have never received an answer or had the cards returned.
The second situation happened yesterday. I was checking email, when I noticed that there was a possible new customer for my Mary Kay website. I found this odd, since I am not at the level where my website would be given out to unknown people. I read the email that went with it and then sat there stunned.
It was from a woman in New Hampshire telling me that she had been trying to contact me by phone, but had been unable to reach me. She explained that she had two pictures, of whom she thought were my grandparents Calvin and Grace Root. That caught my interest, but I was skeptical.
She went on to explain that she was a genealogy buff and had promised her uncle that she would find part of his family to give the pictures to. She told me she had done some research through obituaries and ran across my sister-in-law, Cindy's name. Now in my mind, I'm thinking, how did you put my maiden name and my married name to my sister-in-law, by marriage?
I kept reading... She explained that her Aunt Kapsy, was her mother's sister and she had passed away in 2005. She explained that her Uncle Charles Root, was still living and had sent her some of her Aunt's things. These two pictures were among her belongings.
I wrote her back and asked how she knew Cindy and told her that Calvin and Grace were my grandparents. I then googled her name and address to see if she was on the up and up. Sure enough what she had told me was there on the internet, but there were things that she told me, that I already knew, that weren't listed on the internet. I decided to take the chance and send her my address.
This morning, she wrote me back and emailed me scanned photos of my grandparents. She then told me she was putting the real photos in the mail to me. We talked back and fort a couple of more times about Kapsy and Charles, who were my dad's 1st cousins. She then sent me Charles' address and his sister Doris' address. It occurred to me that they are probably the only 1st cousins still alive.
Looking back over these couple of events, that only God could have orchestrated, I found myself wondering, why does God want me to find these cousins? I don't know, but I do plan to contact them with the hopes they will answer me back.
Our God is an amazing God!!!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
A Life of Music
Last Thursday, December 9, 2010, my precious mother-in-law, Shirley Priesmeyer Kinsey, passed away. She had been very ill with cancer which had metastasized. Shirley fought a valiant fight. Her words to her pastor, days before she passed away, were words of fear that she had let her family down by not continuing the cancer treatments. We were blown away with those words, for we never felt that she was letting us down, when she quit the treatments. Our greatest fear for her, was that she would let the treatments keep her from having the quality of life she so deserved up until her last day on this earth. Shirley peacefully passed away with a couple of family members around her.
We quickly began making arrangements for the things that Shirley hadn't already put in place. As we walked through the days, prior to her service, we constantly ran into people who would tell us, once they found out who we were, that Shirley had been their music teacher, their child's music teacher, or their grandchild's music teacher. In pondering over these acknowledgments, we wondered how many lives she had truly touched with her love for music.
Shirley's service was Sunday, which was full of music, flowers, family and many many friends. The music was moving and exactly what Shirley had wanted. She had spent 2 hours with the music director the week before her death, picking out the music and talking with him about why she wanted each particular song. The pastor had spent time with her family talking about memories. He didn't need to find out much about her, since he had been her pastor for many years and he knew her so very well. The pastor's sermon was about the theology of music, Shirley's musical life, and how she had shared her talent.
Shirley will be remembered not only by family and friends, but by the many lives that were changed because she spent 42 years sharing her love of music.
We love you, Shirley, and miss you, but we know you are rejoicing in the arms of Jesus and you are finally reunited with your husband, Glyn, who was your rock and other beloved family members.
Until we all meet again.
We quickly began making arrangements for the things that Shirley hadn't already put in place. As we walked through the days, prior to her service, we constantly ran into people who would tell us, once they found out who we were, that Shirley had been their music teacher, their child's music teacher, or their grandchild's music teacher. In pondering over these acknowledgments, we wondered how many lives she had truly touched with her love for music.
Shirley's service was Sunday, which was full of music, flowers, family and many many friends. The music was moving and exactly what Shirley had wanted. She had spent 2 hours with the music director the week before her death, picking out the music and talking with him about why she wanted each particular song. The pastor had spent time with her family talking about memories. He didn't need to find out much about her, since he had been her pastor for many years and he knew her so very well. The pastor's sermon was about the theology of music, Shirley's musical life, and how she had shared her talent.
Shirley will be remembered not only by family and friends, but by the many lives that were changed because she spent 42 years sharing her love of music.
We love you, Shirley, and miss you, but we know you are rejoicing in the arms of Jesus and you are finally reunited with your husband, Glyn, who was your rock and other beloved family members.
Until we all meet again.
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