Connecting The Dots!

     The book I'm currently reading is partially a memoir. Thinking about her past the author says "one can only connect the dots in retrospect." Isn't that so true? What seemed at the time as random confusion in early life for me led to beautiful outcomes. Let me explain.

   As mentioned in previous blogs, my first attempt at college was not very successful. Pre-college education for me was not adequate. At age seventeen, when I entered collage, I was not very mature. No solid vocational idea propelled me. So, for five quarters I floundered. In the sixth quarter I took a leave to help my father on the farm after his heart attack.

   The first five quarters were at South Dakota State College (now University) Brookings. Following that stint at farming I was admitted to Augustan College (now University), Sioux Falls. Admission was possible becasue the Admissions Directory was from Sinai and he went to bat for me. In one semester at Agustana I did well academically, now with greater maturity. Yet, I lacked vocational direction so, to bide time, I enlisted for three years in the Marines.

   When my enlistment was complete it was simple to re-enroll at Agustana based on my previous semester's success. Vocationally, I was headed toward ordained ministry and, after 39 years of ministry I retired. But, what of the beautiful outcomes?

   Joanne was the first Director Of Student Activities at Augustan beginning at the same time I re-enrolled after discharge. Though we were on campus together for a year we did not meet until I was introduced to her, by my aunt, at the beginning of our second year. The rest is history!😁 Had my first attempt at college been successful we'd never have met. Praise God for failure! Now, isn't that a 'beautiful outcome?'

   There were many other gifts that came from the poor college start. Enlisting in the Marines brought me to Boot Camp simultaneous with Ed. We were assigned to the same platoon. Riding the bus together after Boot Camp to Omaha we discovered how much these two farm boys, one from Iowa the other South Dakota, had in common. For three years we shared an office, which Ed arranged, bunked together and travelled Asia. Accepting a call to Davenport, IA, in 1980 put us within 25 miles of Ed's farm. That proximity furthered our relationship and allowed Joanne and Ed's wife, MaryJane, to become fast friends.  

   Living through those early years was filled with frustration and feelings of failure. Now, when I connect the dots, I see beautiful outcomes, even others, too, besides those I named.

Takk for alt,

Al

Joanne and I on the day I graduated from Agustana. She's in her academic robe because she was on the faculty.