...it's the end of my high school senior year, and plans for the fall include attending Oklahoma Baptist University to study nursing. Why might you ask? Well, I didn't quite know. I felt as though God wanted me to be there. However, because I am naturally the most anxious person in the entire universe, I was skeptical of the whole idea.
Upon my arrival at OBU, I experienced waves of friendliness and kindness. A greeting for a Freshman at OBU is not merely a "welcome" with a genuine smile. No, no. At OBU, a welcome includes being rampaged by upperclassman while in your car, being asked your room number, and having every item removed from your car (and your parent's), and moved to your room...
in case moving away from mom and dad wasn't paralyzing enough.
My first few months at OBU were rough- the shock of being away from home, the homework overload, the freedom... everything was different. I would like to say I looked to God, but instead, I looked to the world. During my time at OBU I made some amazing friends. A few on my hall and I just clicked, and we spent countless hours together. I'm not sure how it was even brought up, but we all decided OBU wasn't for us, and we wanted to transfer, and beginning making arrangements to apply to Oklahoma University.
By December, I was on my way to being a student at OU for Fall 2013. I had been accepted, made apartment arrangements with two of my friends, and all that jazz. However, over Christmas break, within 5 minutes, I received two calls that allowed me to open my perspective and realize this is not what God's plan was.
Call #1: the apartment ran out of furnished 4 bedroom apartments, and only had one furnished left with two rooms available. After hyperventilating I rushed off the phone, and said to myself, "It'll all work out".
Call #2: OU admissions called and said only 11 of my 33 credit hours would be transferring, because my private school course ID's were not matching up.
Catch my breathe. Hang up. Pray. Pray. Pray.
Within seconds my heart just knew it wouldn't make sense. I just knew God had other plans in mind.
I called the apartment complex back, and asked if my two roommates could have the last two furnished rooms available.
And it worked out perfect and sweet for them:)
Now back to the whole college thing...
I once again looked to myself, and with my own mind, I decided I would stay at OBU. At this point, Spring housing had been turned in for everyone, and nothing was available on campus, and if you are not 21, you are required to live in campus. Strike 1. Changed my major to a degree OBU doesn't have (Pre-Physician's Assistant). Strike 2. Prayed and prayed and prayed and God changed my heart. Strike 3.
I was out, out of options, hope, and faith, but exposed to frustration, rejection, and anger.
I remember talking to my boyfriend about it, and he let me know Oklahoma State had the major I desired, and I should apply.
"Yeahhhhhhhh righhhhtttt" *The only two words I can remember thinking that I now laugh hysterically about.
I applied for the fun of it, was accepted, and received a phone call saying OSU would not only give me full credit for my classes, but I would receive EXTRA, yes I said extra, hours because my OBU classes were worth more hours at OSU.
I prayed. I prayed. I prayed.
I wanted to be certain I wasn't going to OSU for reasons that I shouldn't, such as, oh I don't know, perhaps because the most spectacular man in the entire universe goes there...
But one night in the midst of a devotional, God reminded me that He is in control of my life. If OSU wasn't where I was supposed to be, He would let me know. God will protect me.
I went with the motions, and enrolled, set up apartment arrangements, and everything else.
But I still wasn't convinced.
God likes to humble me. I received a letter shortly after enrollment about a scholarship for my academics, and the end of the letter read:
"We are so happy you will be attending Oklahoma State University in the Fall of 2013. Remember, you are here for a purpose, and we look forward to seeing that purpose unfold."
All to Jesus, I surrender.
So here I go, jumping with confidence into the unknown, and pursuing to faithfully trust God every step of the way.
Please pray for me as I start the rest of my college journey at Oklahoma State!
Thank you for reading!
-Bethany
No comments:
Post a Comment