DPT Admissions -- University of Toledo

While I was sitting in my exercise physiology course yesterday I received a text message from my mom.  "Letter from UT.  Call me and I will open and read."  So I called her at the conclusion of class to see what the University of Toledo had to say.

My mom opened the letter and read it to me.

I have been selected as an alternate for the University of Toledo Doctor of Physical Therapy program.  The letter was very nice.  The letter also indicated that if a spot opens open I would be notified "no later than May 10th".

I tweeted this yesterday because it's what I need to do, "Continuing to trust the Lord's plan."

Admissions Review
University of Florida - No reply
University of Pittsburgh - Wait List
Ohio University - Wait List
University of Toledo - Alternate List
Ohio State University - Denied Acceptance

More updates to come.  A big time thank you to all of those who follow my blog and a special thanks to those who have be praying for me on this journey and that I continue to trust God's plan for my life.

Let Go and Let God

In order to accomplish a goal successfully, one of the best things an individual or group can do to attain that goal is to develop a plan.  A plan provides a step by step procedure of how various elements can be used to achieve a goal.  If I do X and Y in this order then Z, the goal, will occur.

We have all developed a plan at some time in our lives, whether it's been for a big exam, a sports team or planning a night out with friends.  Some plans are simpler than others and can be executed easily; others require a little bit more work and may not be achieved as easily.  

When I arrived at Siena Heights in the fall of 2009 I had a plan.  The plan was to earn a degree in biology and play volleyball for four years en route to graduating in May of 2013.  I wanted to be a student-athlete and that was it.  End of story.  My freshman year that plan held pretty true to form, but my sophomore year things began to change very quickly.  I suddenly began to meet a lot of new people and become involved on campus...sometimes I think I became a little bit too involved.

I joined three new organizations, and began working as an orientation team leader in the fall in conjunction with welcome week and the First Year Experience program.  These were things that I did not anticipate doing when I arrived at Siena.  However, looking back I'd say my involvement on campus was definitely a good change in plans.  I had MY plan, but God quickly said, "No no, we're going to do things my way."  My involvement on campus was imperative for the development of my faith, although at the time I had no idea.

My freshman, sophomore and junior years went by relatively quickly and my involvement continued to develop.  It wasn't until this past summer between my junior and senior year that I received a relatively large wake up call.  A call that I couldn't do this whole grad school thing on my own.

In May 2012 I traveled to Colorado to attend The Ultimate Training Camp hosted by Athletes in Action and Colorado State University.  The camp was designed to teach college athletes how to be motivated and to play for God rather than being motivated and playing for worldly things.  The camp was a week long and culminated in a 1 mile run up a mountain, Golgatha.  Each camper was given a 2x4 piece of wood to be carried on the shoulders while running up Golgatha.  It was in the early afternoon and the position of the sun casted my shadow on the road in front of me.  The shadow resembled Christ hanging on the cross in His final hours.

Completely exhausted, I raised my head and peered at the landscape in front of me, a large glistening lake to my left and countless mountains in front of me.  A true testament to God and His power.  Wow.  It was at that point that things "clicked" and I realized I needed to let go and let God.  The mile run up Golgatha occurred after a sequence of 24 hours of exercise without much rest.  I was physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually drained.  At that point I turned it all over to Him, let Him take control and get me to the finish line at the top of the mountain.

Attending UTC came at the absolute perfect time.  From the beginning of the grad school application process in July I knew, regardless of the situation that I needed to let go of my plan and let the Lord execute His.  There is an incredible peace that comes with letting go of everything and letting God take over.  I think a lot of people become worried during a process like applying for grad school; I don't have time to worry.  All worrying would do for me is waste my time and energy, not to mention throw a large stress on my life.  People have complemented me throughout this process for my "mature attitude" and "mature outlook", but I'll tell you right now, I've got NOTHING to do with it.  The Lord has given my an incredible peace and a incredible amount of faith in Him and His plan throughout this process.  

Sometimes the world feels like it's crashing down and there is no way out.  I'll tell you first hand though, there is a way out.  Let go of the expectations of this world and your plan and turn it over to the Lord.  Complete surrender.   We need to surrender everything, not just part of our lives...everything.

This idea might seem a little bit daunting at first but you have to have faith.  I'm not perfect and have not reached that point of total surrender, but I am continuing to trust the Lord to some day get me to that point.  

You can do it.

Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."  

DPT Admissions -- Ohio State University

Today I received a letter arrived from the Ohio State DPT program at home in Hilliard.  My mom texted me a little after 12 pm saying a letter had arrived and to call her so she could open the letter and read it to me.

At the conclusion of a meeting I had at 12 pm I called my mom.

She opened the letter and read it to me.

I was declined acceptance into the Ohio State University Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Ohio State was my top choice BUT it's clearly not the Lord's choice for me.  Two words.

Faith. Patience.

Faith is a beautiful thing, "Complete trust or confidence in someone or something."  I'm not worried about my future because God already has it all worked out.  Once you can achieve 100% faith in something, in this case God, all worrying is eliminated.  Sure I really wanted to attend THE Ohio State University but I have to look at the bigger picture.

I encourage you to take time to look at the big picture in your life.  Understand that everything is not going to go the way you want it to and that that's okay.  I'll guarantee you this though, everything WILL go the way God intends it to, without a doubt.

February 5th

February 5th marks the final day that individuals who were offered spots in the PT program at Ohio University can accept those positions.  More importantly for me, it is also the day which the program will start contacting individuals on the wait list.  However, I want to reflect on something, rather someone else.

February 5th, the four year anniversary of the passing of my incredible grandmother, Nilsa Estella Acunis.  What a great woman, for those of you who knew her, you know exactly what I'm talking about.  This woman would give anything for her family, ANYTHING.  She was the epitome of humility and loved the Lord more than anyone I know.  She had the greatest advice.

This woman battled cancer twice.  She fought this horrible disease for her grandchildren, nine in all.  Greg, Justin, Chelsea, Iain, Clayton, Emily, Brandon, Brian and Bradley.  She fought to see the oldest grandchild get married and on her death bed see the ultrasound of her first great grandchild.

I still can not believe you have been gone for four years.  You were my board game partner in crime, my go to girl when I needed help.

When I spoke for her eulogy I recalled this story of my grandmother:

One morning my grandma wanted an Eggo waffle for breakfast.  For some reason she always referred to Eggos as "Legos".  So when she said, "Brandon I would like a Lego waffle for breakfast" I had an idea.  I ran downstairs to the basement and shuffled through the toy closet to find our huge box of Legos.  I grabbed one yellow Lego brick, took it upstairs and put it on a plate.

With a smile on my face I marched upstairs to her bedroom.  I handed the plate to her; she looked at me a bit puzzled.  I explained, "Grandma, you asked for a Lego for breakfast so that's what I brought you."  She smiled, slapped me on the arm and chuckled.

Miss you Tutz.

12/15/24 - 02/05/09