December 4

When Isaac trudged up the steps from the garage this afternoon, he was carrying a McDonalds bag. I looked at him quizzically as he pulled out a packet of fries and 20 Chicken McNuggets. He grinned and, as he settled into his place at the table to chow down, explained that it was his "celebration meal."

And celebrate he should, because this morning he received his first college acceptance: Biola University in Southern California.

Isaac did a lot of work to figure out where he wanted to continue his education. He created and then whittled down his list of choices to a trio: just Biola, Azusa Pacific University, and Abby's school, Wheaton College. Adam and I tried more than once to convince him to apply to more schools, but he was set on just the three.

And although he deliberately chose to pursue only three options, he worried that he wouldn't get in anywhere. In fact, just last night he laid down on the rug near me in the family room and asked the same question he's asked numerous times over the past few months: what if I don't get into any colleges? And I replied with the same assurance I gave Abby four years ago: you will not be rejected from the school God wants you to attend.

So here we are: one app submitted, one acceptance in his back pocket. He still needs to finish the other two apps. I have no idea how those will pan out for him, but I'm thankful that he can relax now with the  knowledge that there's at least one school that wants him to be part of their student body next year.