The Journey to Wheaton

I went back and read my little "mini-blog" when Pat and I took Heather to Wheaton College in August, 2006. I thought it would be interesting to re-post that series on the "Johnson Family Blog" -- just for great memories of a very special time in our family.
____________________________________________________

Journey to Wheaton --> Wed, August 16, 2006 9:07 am

We find ourselves in Franklin,KY ... just inside Kentucky from the TN line after an uneventful (the best kind!) drive from Dothan last night. We left at ~ 3 PM (supposed to leave @ noon --> pretty good for us!) and arrived here about 10 last night. We are heading on to Wheaton today. We'll go through Louisville,KY .... Indianapolis,IN .... and through South Chicago into Wheaton,IL.

Heather is a little anxious about REALLY going to college but is still excited about moving into the dorms, meeting Christine (her roommate from Colorado), and finally getting started at Wheaton.

Coming through Troy yesterday afternoon, we saw a "Wheaton Worldwide Moving Service" 18-wheeler pointed back toward Dothan .... not really sure what THAT meant (cue in music from the "Twilight Zone").

Thanks for all your continued prayers and love. We'll do a "Wheatie update" tomorrow (move-in day) and, until then, "Jesus take the wheel..."

Because of the King,
Pat, Paul, & Heather
____________________________________________________

Journey - Wheaton --> Thu, August 17, 2006 7:11 am

Day#2 - Move-in Day. We finally got to Wheaton last evening at ~ 6:30 after being in a "parking lot" on I-80 just south of Chicago for almost an hour ... welcome to "Chi-Town" at rush hour!!

We visited the campus before going to the hotel - REAL different looking without snow! Lots of flowers, green grass, people (Sports banquet last night). We walked to Fischer Hall (Heather's dorm) where we'll be spending some time moving her stuff into today. Christine and her family should be here this afternoon.

Heather has been "trying" to study for a math placement exam Monday morning amidst all the excitement of moving in. Please keep that in your prayers -- she's a "little" anxious about it (read "little" meaning AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH --- ;-} !

Big Day --> not only moving in but her first night where she'll be living until May. Thoughts and prayers MUCH appreciated today!!

It is so wonderful to have a community .... a family .... that loves us so. It is so wonderful to have a God that makes that possible because of His great love!!

Pat, Paul, & Heather
____________________________________________________

Journey - Beginnings --> Fri, August 18, 2006 7:55 am

First night in the dorm.

Everything went smoothly yesterday. LOTS of help from Wheaton students to move Heather's stuff up to her room on the 4th floor!! One young man named Josh single-handedly grabbed the mini-frig and carried it up the three flights of stairs - he said he enjoys moving refrigerators!! He is a senior in Biblical Anthropology and his dad is apparently a professor at Wheaton.

Christine arrived with her dad around 4 PM so we all were moving beds/desks/and bookcases around yesterday afternoon. Their room is already coming into shape, especially since the girls stayed up until 1 AM working on it ... so much for the Math Placement Test --> (I know, I Know, Jennifer T. --- you're telling me to CHILL OUT!!!)

Lots of meetings for all of us today ... first worship session withFreshman and Parents this afternoon in Edman Chapel.

Leaving her in the dorm was OK. She and Christine have bonded quickly, her RA on 4West, Sarah, is a very sweet, helpful young lady, and Heather has begun to meet lots of others on campus. We know God has already prepared this.

In Christ,
Paul & Pat
____________________________________________________

Journey - Worship --> Sat, August 19, 2006 7:20 am

Our first worship together with students, parents, and faculty yesterday afternoon in Edman Chapel.

Several thousand Christians together praising God!! We sang "Come, Now is the Time to Worship", "You Have Been Good", "Blessed Be Your Name", and "Step by Step" - a Rich Mullins' song which Heather loves. The orientation committee had also written and performed an original song to reflect the theme of "Glory Unveiled" from II Corinthians 3:17-18 called "Unveiled Faces". Heather's class will learn this song and sing it to the entire school next week as "their" (Class of 2010) class song. At their last chapel as seniors, they again sing this song to all the lower classmen. This has been a Wheaton tradition for decades - an original song that each class carries throughout their 4 years at Wheaton College.

We met TWO anesthesiologists -- one who was the neighbor of Christine's parents in Colorado and also Dr. David Chestnut who was the Chairman at UAB for the last 11 years!! Both families are on the Parents' Council and have students at Wheaton.

It is so different to be at a college where God's will is paramount. Wheaton is a different place. They seem honored to have your most precious asset - your child - placed into their care for four years. Not to destroy what you have spent years teaching them -- but to allow God to mold them into the extraordinary servants that He has planned! What an exciting process to watch happen!!

Praise the God of Heaven!!
Pat & Paul
____________________________________________________

Journey - Letting Go --> Sun, August 20, 2006 6:59 am

We ended last night in a worship service with hundreds of other parents in Edman Chapel. Heather, Christine and all their hall mates were in meetings in the dorm till past 11 PM. That was probably a good plan ...

Yesterday morning we all met in Edman and heard discussions about the academic life at Wheaton and the multicultural aspect of the College. Several of the upperclassmen did skits that were hilarious and still illustrated great points about learning with the "head" as well as the"heart" and soul as well as great lessons from "MK's" (Missionary Kids) and TCK's (Third Culture Kids). These students are incredibly imaginative and talented!

Heather was able to talk to several profs in the English and Theater depts. at an Academic Fair. Pat, Heather and I even got to "go out" to eat at a place called DOMO 77 --- kinda "Mikata"-style but not quite as good. We'll have to look further for great sushi!!

We went to the Chapel service yesterday evening with Bruce Will (Christine's dad), and her sibs Aaron, Jonathan, and Ana. God TRULY answers prayers!! Not only did He provide a great roommate for Heather in Christine -- He also provided TWO new big brothers (Aaron and Jonathan are twins and both Juniors @ Wheaton), a new little sister in Ana, and a great new family in Bruce and Linda Will. Pat and I feel as if we've know and loved them for a long time. They are very personable and a very close family that have already allowed Heather and us to be a part. God is TRULY so good.

Jay Everett sent me a story this weekend about Dick Hoyt, a tri-athlete who competes with his son Rick who is disabled. Many of us saw this at Zoe and Youth-in-Action several years ago. It QUICKLY reminded me how deep the Father's love is for us .... we need only to trust .... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjPrL3n63yg

After church with Heather, ... Pat and I journey home ...

With Him,
Pat & Paul