Good but Hard Good-bye

I want to change gears for this post. I want to become a mother.

This past weekend we took our son Timothy to Le Tourneau University. We got to Longview on Thursday afternoon. His girlfriend Angela also caravanned with us.

As soon as we got there, the two young people checked in, and we parents were channeled in another direction. They received their check-in packets, with registration times for the next day, and a LeTourneau t-shirt. Each student got a shirt as they checked in. The shirts were in many different colors, and each had a number on the back. Timothy's was royal blue and had a 7 on it. Angela's was maroon and had a 4. They were instructed to wear the shirts at a meeting in the chapel later that evening.

We then helped each of them move into their dorms.

When they got to the chapel, they were separated into groups by shirt. Each group has 10-16 members. Each group has a faculty mentor and an upperclassman mentor. These groups will meet twice a week (they will earn 1 credit hour for this) all semester. The class is called "Cornerstones." They will cover very important things such as time management! (This is a really smart university. Who knew that you needed to tell students how to manage their time???)

After the meeting, in which we sang several hymns together, prayed together, and committed ourselves to each other (faculty, students, parents), we went outside. Outside, one member of each group planted an ivy slip, representing their class. When they graduate, they will have an ivy cutting ceremony. Below is a picture of Timothy and Angela in front of the ivy plants representing their class.

The next morning we went to register the two. We had no communication with Timothy because the SIM card on his cell phone was not working, so we just went where he was supposed to be. He wasn't. This isn't the first time we haven't been able to find our son, nor are we the first parents to lose a child, so we kept our calm. We eventually found him an hour and a half later where he was supposed to be. By that time, he and advisor Dr. Juan Castro (Finance teacher from Honduras) had nearly finished a schedule of 17 hours for him. 17 hours!! I tried not to show my surprise, but I don't think I managed it. That's a lot of hours for a freshman to take, but...ok. Angela later registered for 16 hours. They will both be working hard.

We finished registering (with a break for lunch) at about 4 pm. Angela was so relieved and happy to be done with it that she did a little twirl/dance in the hall when she was finally done. I have to admit that she did so at my instigation. Then we got to stand in the very humid heat while Jackie tried to work out with T-Mobile some sort of plan for getting Timothy a new SIM card. It's ridiculous how long those things take.

After that we went to the bookstore, where Angela bought books and Timothy browsed. Hmmm, not going to get any books, son? He explained that he would get books, after he had had his first classes and had figured out which ones he needed books for, and which ones he didn't. That made some sort of sense to me, but I'm in Angela's court. I always wanted to be prepared before class. Somehow we have a son that is not like us; Jackie agrees with me in this case. But I can see his point of view, too, so I allow him the freedom to do as he sees best.

Saturday morning the Cornerstones groups go to do community service projects from 8 to noon. Timothy's group paints a daycare, while Angela's group does landscaping for someone or other. I can't remember now who. Every group is doing something different for the community. Isn't that cool? The parents, meanwhile, are listening to a panel of four professors and two students talk about the LeTourneau experience.

I am so impressed with the faculty and staff at LeTourneau. Each of the ones that I interface with in some way are Christians. I mean really Christians. They let Jesus be a part of their everyday lives. They treasure each of the students and consider them sacred. They begin their talks with us with a devotional on a little-known passage of Scripture; some of them leave me crying, and I'm deeply spiritually touched. This is a really good place for my son. I feel it to be true in my spirit. Each of the teachers that speak leave me knowing that they will push for excellence from each of the students, but help them in every way possible. Could there be any better place for Timothy? I really thank God that He has led us here. He has been so faithful to direct us in directing our children.

Angela had been praying that they would find a house church to attend. At the church fair on Saturday afternoon, they may have found one. There is a small messianic congregation meeting in a house about two blocks from the campus. There are no coincidences, we have decided once again.

We had a few words of wisdom for him in the lobby of his dorm. And then we prayed for him and Angela. We will continue to pray.

Below is a picture of Timothy by a statue of Jesus washing Peter's feet. It is located just outside the main chapel on campus. I think it speaks for itself. Timothy said, "I'm going to like this place." We agree with you, son.

And we miss you.