Older, Wiser, and Just Beginning

All of our children are brilliant. I know what you’re thinking—every parent says that about their kids—and you’re totally valid. But in this case, you’ll just have to believe me. Since they were tiny, it’s been clear how blessed they are with both analytical and creative brilliance. I’ve joked since birth that they stole some of my brain cells, but thankfully they’re putting them to good use.

Don't worry, I won't go through each child and break down here why you should believe me. This is all about our oldest, Rylee. For weeks I have thought about writing this post because since the beginning of summer I have just wanted to shout from the rooftops about how proud I am of her. That’s not usually my nature, and I’ve rarely shared much about my kids online—but here goes. (Catch me in person though, and I’ll gladly brag about all of them. 😊)

In June Rylee headed to the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Out of over 400 applicants she was one of only 10 selected to participate in the Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) program there. This program includes a variety of science majors, and as a biochemistry major at Bethany she wanted to do chemistry research. Amazingly, she was able to choose to work in the lab of Dr. David Berkowitz. I wouldn't do justice to attempt to explain how well-known he is around the world, but he also works for the National Science Foundation, and basically everything about this opportunity was a very big deal. 

She spent roughly 50 hours a week throughout her summer doing research–and loved every minute of it. Each time I talked to her I thought, Wow—you are your father’s daughter. This experience solidified the fact that she doesn't want to go straight to med school now, she wants to go to grad school so she can do more research. She is also a psychology minor and is thinking about finding programs that bring all of that together, so we will see what God's plan is for that.