In September, before the engagement, she rented a room from someone in Maryland, settled in, and continued working. Meanwhile, he finished his last year of college. During their late-night phone calls, he began asking questions about why she hadn’t gone to college. She explained that college had seemed beyond her grasp for a few reasons. She worked directly out of high school and believed her poor grades would keep her from being accepted (she was more interested in her social life). And then there were her bills. Her sweet boyfriend encouraged her to apply to Abilene Christian University (ACU), where he was attending and felt confident it would work out. So…she decided to give it a try. The application went out, and the information the school needed (to make their decision) started coming in. The ACT was the test that would decide her fate. Well, ACU was giving the ACT the Saturday before the spring semester began in January. After many conversations, she decided she would pack up and go. Packing up and leaving without a clear answer seemed ridiculous, but she decided she didn’t have any particular reason to stay where she was. Little did she know at the time that she would be engaged as well when she went down to Abilene. So, the studying began. She would work during the day and go through ACT study books at night. In the last four years, she had grown up a little and was more motivated to do well on this exam. Thanksgiving, the proposal, and Christmas came and went. So, off to ACU she went. She and he pulled into the ACU parking lot about an hour before the exam was to start. Talk about cutting it close! She took some time to pray and relax. He continued to tell her she would be just fine and she would pass.

The next part was the craziest thing, and only God could have worked this out. She passed the ACT! Then there was more. School was going to start in two days. The next series of events took place within three hours after the exam. She walked from the exam across campus, completed her admission, got her financial aid in order, received a key to her dorm room, got her class schedule, and picked up her books. Talk about a whirlwind! That night as she lay in bed in her private dorm room, she wept over how blessed she had been and how God had provided for her. Here she was with an amazing Christian fiance who believed in her more than she believed in herself and a glorious God who protected her and allowed her to pursue her dream.

Now, all she had to do was complete 18 credit hours and plan a wedding in 5 months…a wedding that was going to be in Maryland, not Texas!