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Rebecca goes to college


3 John 1:4  NASB
I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

We have looked forward to this day for a long time.  It has been planned, talked about and part of our thinking for lots of years, but now that it is here the reality is starting to sink in.  Not sure how we will make it through the tears and emotions.  We will.  God has helped and will continue.

Our oldest child moves off to college today.  Near the mountains only about 20 miles from our home is a small Methodist college that Rebecca has chosen to study at.  The campus actually reminds Julie and I of Brewton-Parker where we studied in south Georgia in the 90’s.  Ferrum College is a beautiful campus with lots of highlights, and it is about to have the best one of all, our Bec Bec.

She has worked hard and grown so much.  We have prayed and prayed, prepared and prepared for her to be ready for this, but I am not sure that I am ready and neither is her momma.  We woke up this morning talking about the last 18 years, and that didn’t end very well as we were both crying.

We are so very proud of her and believe Rebecca is well prepared to face college and a new part of life, yet our world sometimes is very cruel.  Yesterday in the same county where this college is a TV reporter and cameraman were shot and killed.  The reporter is from our town and so loved.  I cannot imagine what her dad, mom and brother are going through at this point.  Pray for their families and the family of the man who killed them.  How could anyone be prepared for that?

What I do know is that our baby is a gift from God that we have to trust Him with.  It was 18 years, 4 months and 21 days ago that our little girl entered the world, and that was an emotional day!  Almost a year later she had to go through 3 major surgeries.  Didn’t think we would make it through that, but we did with God and our families and friends by our side.

Rebecca is precious, and we are so proud of her.  This step has been paved by God through miracles, provision, direction and so much more that only could come through the grace of God.  Faith is not just something we talk about.  Faith is what we have to have just to get through.  When there is little else to trust, God can be trusted.  He has never failed us.

Now we pray.  Yes, we will visit often, and she will come home, often.  We will write her letters, and you should write her too (ask me for her address if you want to).  But this will be the first night that this precious young lady’s address is different from ours.  God must protect her.  We’ve done our best. 

When life continues to move on, we cannot stop it from happening, and we can know that God’s plan is so much better than ours.  We have to remember when things are out of our control that they continue to be well within His control.  When I cannot protect my little girl, God can and will much better than I ever could. 

Her faith is set in God and strong.  We will watch.  We will cheer her on.  We will pray and pray a lot.  So, watch for the updates and get ready for the things ahead.  This is another turn, another opportunity, another blessings and lots more tears (actually flowing much right now).

Thank you, God, for Rebecca and for the blessings that surround us all.  We look so forward to watching her walk in the truth!

Isaiah 55:6  NASB
Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near.

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