A lot can happen in a year

At the ripe age of 18, I sat cross-legged on the end of my twin-sized bed and cried. It was an ugly cry marked by meandering trails of black mascara that matched the restlessness of my heart. I’d just graduated valedictorian of the class of 2005. I had an athletic scholarship to a local junior college. My whole future was before me, but I was scared of being stuck. Terrified of falling short of big dreams. Of choosing the wrong path. Or missing the boat. 

My mom sat across from me, prayed a prayer full of faith, and spoke seven words that I have never forgotten:

A lot can happen in a year.

The statement was more accurate than she could have imagined, and it would cost her more than she expected. The tug on my heart to attend a Bible college nearly 500 miles away nearly tore hers in two. Still, she sacrificed and I went with her blessing. Setting aside scholarships, I spent the next year in an environment solely dedicated to deepening my faith in Jesus. Having left home as a wavering 18-year-old girl focused mainly on her own aspirations, I returned as a 19-year-old woman, so in love with God that I’d signed the “blank check” of my life over to Him without a backward glance.

A lot can happen in a year.

Soon, I married the love of my life—a man I met at Bible school. We became youth pastors. I finished college. We had a beautiful baby girl. Olivia was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder and went to heaven at age nine—though not before teaching her mama and daddy all about the grace of God and what it means to trust Him. Our little man A.J. followed his sister to heaven two years later, and we found that God is even more faithful than life is hard. In the middle of all of that, we gained three more children (and eventually two grandchildren) through the miracle of adoption. Now, I find myself nearing the end of a doctoral program and helping to start Wise Christian School in August 2025. (We’re launching with limited grade levels, plans to expand to K-12 in the coming years, and a mission to exceed academic expectations for the sake of Christian transformation and gospel proclamation.) The younger me could never have predicted the turns that life would take, but I would sign the blank check again without thinking twice.

When I reflect on life’s peaks and valleys, I recall that year spent in Bible school and how the roots of my faith grew down deep into the assurance that God is with me. That He is good and that all of life is from Him, for Him, and to Him. This strong root system has kept me upright—even flourishing by God’s grace through storms that surely could have taken me out. 

A lot can happen in a year.

For speaking those seven words in faith and then finding the courage to entrust her daughter to God’s plan, I consider my mom a hero. If you are a parent reading this now, you are uniquely positioned to be your child’s hero. You can do that by taking every opportunity to center his life on Jesus, to orient her heart toward the God who knows and loves her best. We believe that Wise Christian School can help you create an environment devoted to deepening your child’s faith. 

A lot can happen in a year, and we begin in 2025.

Wise Christian School is hosting an interest meeting on Sunday, November 10th at 6pm, and you're invited! We'd love to get to know your family and answer any questions you may have. Join us at 3078 Hwy 101 in Bridgeport, Texas. Childcare and light refreshments will be provided!