Wide Open Spaces

As Lofton was starting his senior year of high school and all the mommas were crying over all the lasts, I was, of course, sad about it too, but I couldn't help but get excited for all the firsts that lie ahead for him.  Here is one of those exciting firsts-- first day at college in a dorm. I still am in awe that Lofton decided to go to school 5 hours from home by himself pretty much. He is rooming with Emmett, the boyfriend of Mary Grace Lovell whom he graduated with, so he does somewhat know Emmett but not really. Emmett seems like a great guy. We got to Harding pretty late on a Thursday night, and spent the night in a hotel and woke up early to get to his dorm. Since Lofton is rooming with Emmett who is a transfer sophomore, Lofton wasn't in the freshman dorm. So, when we arrived on campus, there were not lots of people helping us move in as we weren't hitting the freshman dorm. We got to the room before Emmett and started trying to decide how to set it up. There were no other people in dorm really, so we had no way to see what else was done to the dorms. What should have taken us no more than two hours took us the entire day. We started bunking the beds; then we noticed they were put together wrong, so we took them apart and fixed them. Then we decided Lofton really didn't want to and really didn't need to sleep on the top bunk. We made this decision at lunch and came back and changed all we had, and then we finally got to unpack him. Both boys I think were pleased with the end result. Then we had just enough time to get over to the first assembly with parents and new students. Lofton and Emmett fan girled quite a bit when we ran into Corrie Robinson from Duck Dynasty. She was so nice and gracious and talked to and hugged the boys. After the assembly, we talked to Lofton's new suite mate, who I fill like God placed next to Lofton on purpose because Kellen loves to fish and we have a connection as his parents are the American Ambassadors for City of Children. It's amazing how God works. Then we went to Walmart to get a few supplies and to dinner for dollar tacos. 

Lofton stayed in the dorm as the rest of his weekend was planned for him, so Phillip and I went back to the hotel where I sulked in my tears about leaving Lofton at school. We went to campus the next day to say good bye, and although it hurt, it was so good to see him already making connections and finding his way. I know God has big plans in store for him, and I know God is directing his paths. 

It also worked out that on our way home, we stopped in Memphis for Landon's first high school varsity game. The boys won. It was fun to go to that game, and fun to see our other boy out there, but I sure missed not seeing my number 14 out on that field.