Andrew is an amazing student. And by "amazing," I don't just mean that he is excelling academically, creating wonderful friendships with his cohort and faculty, seizing opportunities to enrich himself professionally, etc. Andrew is an amazing student because he can do all of these things while putting God and family first.
This semester, Andrew has class in the morning and then stays at school to study afterwards until I text him that Cambria is awake from her nap. Then he comes home, quickly changes his clothes, gives Cambria a snack and heads out the door with her for some special time together.
The two of them come dashing through the door excitedly just in time for dinner. We eat together and then Andrew gives Cambria her bath (most likely including bubbles these days). Once Cambria is dressed in her pajamas, he cleans up the dinner dishes and wipes down the kitchen. There is usually some "wrassling" (wrestling) to be had and maybe books to read before Cambria has one last sippy cup of milk, her teeth are brushed, and Andrew puts her to bed with kisses first for Mommy and Titan.
Since Cambria is our little "toddler tornado," the house must be set aright before Andrew and I sit down together to watch a TV show (lately it's been reruns of Master Chef or House Hunters). Andrew takes charge of Titan, burping and bouncing him until his eyes are heavy and he is ready for bed.
Right about the time Titan goes down, I go down as well so that I can maximize my sleep potential for the night. Nursing mothers with young babies know all about this strategy.
Andrew prays with me, kisses me good night, and then returns to the kitchen table where he opens his backpack to get out his laptop and begin that night's round of studying. That will last until after midnight most evenings--if not longer.
But our family is not Andrew's only priority. The first two plus years Andrew was in graduate school, he served in our ward's Young Men presidency with commitments on Sunday, Wednesday evenings and sometimes the weekend when there was an activity or Scout campout. Recently, he was released from that calling and called to serve as the Cubmaster for the three Lynchburg congregations.
Andrew stays busy with his Church commitments and has decided to set aside the Sabbath day for family and God. While many graduate students spend Sunday busily preparing for the next week of classes and cramming for exams, Andrew has turned his faith to Heavenly Father, knowing that the extra measure will be provided. He has not failed us yet.
Our family continues to be blessed while Andrew is in school. Earlier this year, he was awarded a scholarship by the Virginia Physical Therapists' Association which covered his registration fee and travel expenses to the annual meeting for the national association (Combined Sections Meeting). In the Spring, he interviewed for a competitive internship in Charlottesville that he received.
On Friday, September 25, the Lynchburg College Department of Physical Therapy hosted a symposium for which Andrew helped to coordinate guest lecturers from the community. At the beginning of the meeting, there was a scholarship ceremony with a presentation by Rehab Associates of Central Virginia (RACV). Andrew was one of fourteen who had applied for the scholarship and one of three finalists interviewed. I was able to attend the ceremony with Titan while Cambria took a nap over at the Malones'.
I can't even adequately describe the elation I felt when Andrew's name was called as the award recipient. I was trembling and crying and babbling excitedly all at once. He was given a $5000 scholarship for tuition and a beautiful plaque. There was an engraved nameplate ready to be added to the plaque hanging at the school as well.
But the good news doesn't end there!
About a week and a half after Andrew received the scholarship from RACV, he sent an email to Dr. Bailey to thank him. He also mentioned that he would be interested in discussing potential opportunities post-graduation. Ten minutes after the email was sent, Andrew received a reply and had an appointment for a job interview scheduled for the following week. Wow!
This semester, Andrew has class in the morning and then stays at school to study afterwards until I text him that Cambria is awake from her nap. Then he comes home, quickly changes his clothes, gives Cambria a snack and heads out the door with her for some special time together.
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| Sometimes that special time together includes ice cream before dinner! |
Since Cambria is our little "toddler tornado," the house must be set aright before Andrew and I sit down together to watch a TV show (lately it's been reruns of Master Chef or House Hunters). Andrew takes charge of Titan, burping and bouncing him until his eyes are heavy and he is ready for bed.
Right about the time Titan goes down, I go down as well so that I can maximize my sleep potential for the night. Nursing mothers with young babies know all about this strategy.
Andrew prays with me, kisses me good night, and then returns to the kitchen table where he opens his backpack to get out his laptop and begin that night's round of studying. That will last until after midnight most evenings--if not longer.
But our family is not Andrew's only priority. The first two plus years Andrew was in graduate school, he served in our ward's Young Men presidency with commitments on Sunday, Wednesday evenings and sometimes the weekend when there was an activity or Scout campout. Recently, he was released from that calling and called to serve as the Cubmaster for the three Lynchburg congregations.
Andrew stays busy with his Church commitments and has decided to set aside the Sabbath day for family and God. While many graduate students spend Sunday busily preparing for the next week of classes and cramming for exams, Andrew has turned his faith to Heavenly Father, knowing that the extra measure will be provided. He has not failed us yet.
Our family continues to be blessed while Andrew is in school. Earlier this year, he was awarded a scholarship by the Virginia Physical Therapists' Association which covered his registration fee and travel expenses to the annual meeting for the national association (Combined Sections Meeting). In the Spring, he interviewed for a competitive internship in Charlottesville that he received.
On Friday, September 25, the Lynchburg College Department of Physical Therapy hosted a symposium for which Andrew helped to coordinate guest lecturers from the community. At the beginning of the meeting, there was a scholarship ceremony with a presentation by Rehab Associates of Central Virginia (RACV). Andrew was one of fourteen who had applied for the scholarship and one of three finalists interviewed. I was able to attend the ceremony with Titan while Cambria took a nap over at the Malones'.
I can't even adequately describe the elation I felt when Andrew's name was called as the award recipient. I was trembling and crying and babbling excitedly all at once. He was given a $5000 scholarship for tuition and a beautiful plaque. There was an engraved nameplate ready to be added to the plaque hanging at the school as well.
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| Jackson Connell (third place finalist), Dr. Rusty Smith (LCDPT program director), Dr. Josh Bailey (President and CEO RACV), Andrew, Jesse Cook (second place finalist), and Jessica (CFO RACV) |
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| Dr. Stephen Elam (Assistant Professor), Dr. Rusty Smith, Andrew, Dr. Penny Elam (LCDPT Director of Clinical Education) |
About a week and a half after Andrew received the scholarship from RACV, he sent an email to Dr. Bailey to thank him. He also mentioned that he would be interested in discussing potential opportunities post-graduation. Ten minutes after the email was sent, Andrew received a reply and had an appointment for a job interview scheduled for the following week. Wow!
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