This being the season when high school seniors are finalizing plans for next year, it seemed good to tell the stories of college searches conducted by some people I know.

 Linnea wanted to be major in Physical Therapy and started with a list of a dozen or so schools that had excellent programs.  She ruled out Northern Michigan after hearing a lady describe the beautiful scene of ice in the lake at an open house in June.  Others were gradually eliminated until two options remained.  There were friends and some scholarship money at both schools.

The final choice was tough, so Linnea devised a strategy – since Augustana cost more, the decision can be made based on their offer in scholarship money.  If they offer BIG money, she goes there.  If they offer little money, she goes to Grand Valley.

The letter arrived and the wailing began – they offered medium money.  “God, what kind of non-message are you sending me?”  Eventually her  grandparents made up the difference and she went to Augustana.

 Jesse worked with a short list.  One day the MSU recruiters came to his high school.  He talked to them, they checked his records, and admitted him.  He signed up.  Done.  We made him go on a visit to Western, just to see someplace else.  He had probably thought about it longer but he seemed to make a decision in one day.

 One other student, a long time ago, wanted to be a Math Instructor so applied to three schools known for solid math programs – a large, a medium and a small.  The medium was too far away, the small was too small, so he went to the large one.  Decisions are made in mysterious ways.

 A follow up on Linnea:  We prayed that someone at that little school in Illinois would look out for our girl and take her under their wing.  It did not happen.  But, the first week after she transferred to MSU, a woman from church called, announced  she was her advisor for the business school and asked to get together!

God works in even more mysterious (and glorious) ways!