College bound!!!

About a year and a half ago, we made our first college road trip to Samford University. From the moment he stepped on campus, Nathan loved the school, the faculty, the students, the atmosphere and the frozen yogurt! After that, we visited a couple more schools. He auditioned for piano placement (and scholarships) and weighed his options.

From that first trip in 2010, though, nothing compared. No other school captured his heart the way Samford did. But he struggled to make a decision. Private school, even with scholarships, is more expensive than going to a state school here in North Carolina. The cost and logistics of travel (nine hours away is more difficult than three) and having friends at the state school both weighed on him. Nathan didn't want to ask us to sacrifice for him to attend Samford.

Yet, it's his heart. While he tried to say no to Samford, none of us had a peace about it.

I prayed for peace. I asked God to reconcile my heart to Appalachian State. We analyzed every aspect of each school (location, quality of education, extra-curriculars, food (he is a teen guy after all!), and friends). Samford still came out on top.

We appealed his scholarship offer... and we waited. And waited. And waited. And prayed some more for peace.

Finally, last week, the deadline approached. His scholarship offer to Appalachian State expired Sunday. Whether Nathan felt ready or not, he had to decide. At dinner Thursday, we finally backed him into the corner and forced a decision. "Nathan, where is your heart? Where do you see yourself the next four years?"

"Samford, but..." We knew his concern. The money.

We reassured him that whatever it takes, we stand behind him. We will help him make it happen. He finally gave in. Happy, yes, but not exactly jumping up and down about it. He understands that he will have to sacrifice a bit of free time to work and choose not to drink gourmet coffee every day for this to work. He knows he's just made his first, real grown-up decision.

About an hour later, we got a call from his Samford admissions advisor who told us that the School of the Arts is increasing Nathan's scholarship by $2,000 per year.

Did you catch that timing?

Our second son, Ben, sure did. He quipped, "See, when you take the first step, God can move."

Over the weekend, the decision sank in. He started thinking about his dorm room, which classes to take in the fall, and even what music he wants to study first. He sees himself there. He shares his excitement about the piano instruction he will receive. He knows he made the right choice.... not the easy choice, but the right one. Appalachian State is a great school. When it comes down to it, though, Samford University is simply more Nathan.

We are forever grateful to Dean Joe Hopkins, Recruiter Rachel Lim and Professor Don Sanders for encouraging Nathan the past year and a half. And we are thankful to Dan Hall, his admissions advisor, for communicating with us so well throughout the process. Nathan may be leaving our home, but he's moving on to a new family that I know will be a blessing to him for the rest of his life. We are thankful to our many friends who prayed right along with us the past two months! Above all, we thank God for faithfully guiding us through this entire process and honoring our prayers. We know without a doubt that Nathan is following God's plan for his life. (Jeremiah 29:11)

With a grateful heart,