Truly a dream come true!
As most of you have heard, I have some excellent news. I'll start at the beginning though, so bear with me.
Just over a week ago, on Wednesday, I received an e-mail from my West Point Admissions Rep, whom I've been working with for about 3 years. She was just letting me know my file is 100% complete and that it's just time to "sit and wait." As she said I'll be put on the national waiting list and just need to hope I sit high enough on the list (my ranking is determined by a complex point system that they use ... every candidate gets an overall score). They'll start from the top of the list and start making offers from there. She went on to say that in time, hopefully about a month, she'll get somewhat of an idea from the Academy whether or not I might be offered an admission spot or if I need to consider other options. We weren't really expecting to hear until March/April for sure. She also asked if I was up for reapplying next year, to which I of course said yes.
The following Monday, in another e-mail from her, she said that the Admissions Board meets every Tuesday and posts their offers on-line very quickly for the Admissions Reps, so she promised to check every Tuesday. She also told me to keep all of my paperwork so next year will be easier if/when I reapply.
The next day, Tuesday, I'm sitting at work, and my cell phone rings. No big deal ... so I think. I go to answer my phone and it says "Raquel," which is her name. As I immediately said to myself, "oh my gosh, it's Tuesday," I answered the phone. Here's how the conversation went ... "Hey Ben, it's Raquel. I was just looking over your file today and realized there's a slight problem - you aren't going to be able to reapply next year." "Umm, ok?" "That's because you have been offered an appointment this year for the class of 2010!" From there, I don't remember much, other than repeatedly saying, "Oh my gosh, are you serious!? I don't believe this!" I ended up leaving work early, because I couldn't get anything done. I was simply too excited and was calling everyone I had numbers for! We then went out to celebrate with a nice steak dinner at Saltgrass.
But read on ... it gets better!
I'm sitting at home the following evening, Wednesday, about to head to ABS. The phone rings, my brother answers it, and hands it to be saying he doesn't know who it is. Alright, again ... no big deal. WRONG! Here's how this conversation went .... "Hey Ben, this is Congressman John Culberson. I just wanted to call to personally congratulate you for your appointment to the US Military Academy .... my admissions panel had excellent things to say about you and I look forward to getting to know you!" I don't really know much of what I said, for I was in too much shock, but I do remember thanking him for the nomination and assuring him I'll represent Texas District 7 (our congressional district) very well.
So that's been my week. As most of you well know, this is truly a dream come true. I've wanted this practically more than anything for about 3 years now. Reality is slowly sinking in, but I still can't believe I'm really going! It hits me every now and then and I'm just in complete shock.
Just goes to show several things, one being that God is amazing and makes possible things I thought were next to impossible. I would've never gotten here if it were not for Him! I know it sounds cliche, but if you're reading this, I probably owe you a thank you as well. My friends, family, teachers, counselors have all been incredibly encouraging and have helped push me along and achieve this dream. So thank you!
More to come on this later. I know long entries are hard to read, so I'll stop here. But believe me, I have much more to add!
------------------
"I WILL praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart;
I will show forth (recount and tell aloud) all Your marvelous works and wonderful deeds!
I will rejoice in You and be in high spirits;
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High!"
Psalm 9:1-2 (Amplified Bible)
Just over a week ago, on Wednesday, I received an e-mail from my West Point Admissions Rep, whom I've been working with for about 3 years. She was just letting me know my file is 100% complete and that it's just time to "sit and wait." As she said I'll be put on the national waiting list and just need to hope I sit high enough on the list (my ranking is determined by a complex point system that they use ... every candidate gets an overall score). They'll start from the top of the list and start making offers from there. She went on to say that in time, hopefully about a month, she'll get somewhat of an idea from the Academy whether or not I might be offered an admission spot or if I need to consider other options. We weren't really expecting to hear until March/April for sure. She also asked if I was up for reapplying next year, to which I of course said yes.
The following Monday, in another e-mail from her, she said that the Admissions Board meets every Tuesday and posts their offers on-line very quickly for the Admissions Reps, so she promised to check every Tuesday. She also told me to keep all of my paperwork so next year will be easier if/when I reapply.
The next day, Tuesday, I'm sitting at work, and my cell phone rings. No big deal ... so I think. I go to answer my phone and it says "Raquel," which is her name. As I immediately said to myself, "oh my gosh, it's Tuesday," I answered the phone. Here's how the conversation went ... "Hey Ben, it's Raquel. I was just looking over your file today and realized there's a slight problem - you aren't going to be able to reapply next year." "Umm, ok?" "That's because you have been offered an appointment this year for the class of 2010!" From there, I don't remember much, other than repeatedly saying, "Oh my gosh, are you serious!? I don't believe this!" I ended up leaving work early, because I couldn't get anything done. I was simply too excited and was calling everyone I had numbers for! We then went out to celebrate with a nice steak dinner at Saltgrass.
But read on ... it gets better!
I'm sitting at home the following evening, Wednesday, about to head to ABS. The phone rings, my brother answers it, and hands it to be saying he doesn't know who it is. Alright, again ... no big deal. WRONG! Here's how this conversation went .... "Hey Ben, this is Congressman John Culberson. I just wanted to call to personally congratulate you for your appointment to the US Military Academy .... my admissions panel had excellent things to say about you and I look forward to getting to know you!" I don't really know much of what I said, for I was in too much shock, but I do remember thanking him for the nomination and assuring him I'll represent Texas District 7 (our congressional district) very well.
So that's been my week. As most of you well know, this is truly a dream come true. I've wanted this practically more than anything for about 3 years now. Reality is slowly sinking in, but I still can't believe I'm really going! It hits me every now and then and I'm just in complete shock.
Just goes to show several things, one being that God is amazing and makes possible things I thought were next to impossible. I would've never gotten here if it were not for Him! I know it sounds cliche, but if you're reading this, I probably owe you a thank you as well. My friends, family, teachers, counselors have all been incredibly encouraging and have helped push me along and achieve this dream. So thank you!
More to come on this later. I know long entries are hard to read, so I'll stop here. But believe me, I have much more to add!
------------------
"I WILL praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart;
I will show forth (recount and tell aloud) all Your marvelous works and wonderful deeds!
I will rejoice in You and be in high spirits;
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High!"
Psalm 9:1-2 (Amplified Bible)