Cedarville Magazine, Spring 2014

When our daughter Courtney ’09 was in high school, we came to Cedarville from Colorado for a speech and debate tournament. We didn’t know much about Cedarville at that time, but we were so impressed by what we saw on campus that week. Courtney had begun her college search, andwewere looking for two things: a place that would challenge her academically and a place that would nurture her growing conviction to take the Gospel into the world, wherever God would lead her. In short, we wanted to find a school that offered both high academics and a biblical, Christian education. We didn’t want to sacrifice one for the other, and in the end we didn’t have to — Cedarville had both. We never assumed all three of our children would attend Cedarville. With each one, we prayed for God’s direction in where He would have them go. Our second daughter, Tiffany ’11, was interested in nursing. She had visited her sister on campus for Li’l Sibs Weekend and saw that Courtney was developing meaningful relationships with Christian friends and maturing in her faith. She talked about how she admired her history and government professors and how their deep faith came through in their classroom instruction. Tiffany looked at other colleges, but none offered a strong nursing program with such a clear biblical emphasis. Two years later, Tiffany joined her sister at Cedarville. Our son, Corbin ’14, didn’t look at other colleges. He was sold on Cedarville, and he will graduate this year with an accounting degree. He already has a job lined up after graduation and is preparing for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. Like his sisters, he has enjoyed leadership opportunities, internships, and the personal investment of the business faculty in his life. Beyond the classroom, they have spent time with him, speaking into his life and encouraging him in his walk with the Lord. Building Blocks All three of our children would say that chapel was a highlight of their Cedarville experience. They enjoyed that hour each day of worship, prayer, and teaching. They were challenged by excellent speakers who inspired them to consider how God would use them in the future. They were also grateful for the Bible minor. They learned how to properly handle the Word of God and how to look for a church that is rooted in Scripture. Perhaps what touched their lives the most was their involvement in Discipleship Ministries. This program helped them learn how to lead a Bible study, develop biblical convictions, and encourage younger students to be Bible study leaders. As a parent, what I deeply appreciate is how this experience caused them to develop a vision for their lives beyond Cedarville — how they could be leaders for the cause of the Gospel in their local churches, their careers, and their communities. My husband and I have had a constant assurance from the beginning that Cedarville was the right choice for our children and for our family, but what reinforced this for us was when Tiffany returned from a missions trip with other nursing students and faculty. Her experience with The Luke Commission in Swaziland deepened her vision for lost and hurting people in the world and their need for the Gospel. It transformed her thinking about what it means to be a Christian nurse and to serve Christ in her field. Her dad and I were thankful not only for what this experience meant in her life, but also for how completely Cedarville prepared the students for that trip. The nursing faculty has been taking teams to Africa for more than 20 years — as parents, we had peace of mind that the students would be safe and have the best possible experience. Firm Foundation Our family began our college search looking for a place that would build on, not erode, the spiritual foundation we had laid with our children in their first 18 years. Cedarville continued what we had envisioned for their lives — that they would know God more, grow in their walks with Him, and be used by Him. This, to us, has been worth every sacrifice. We are looking forward to our third Cedarville graduation in May, and we will make the trip to Ohio with thankful hearts. We are grateful to God for leading our children to Cedarville.Their roots were deepened, and their faith was strengthened in a way that will sustain them for the rest of their lives. Tomma Edmonds and her husband, Daryl, are the proud parents of Courtney (Edmonds) Harris ’09, Tiffany ’11, and Corbin ’14. They reside in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. by Tomma Edmonds Pictured L-R: Tiffany Edmonds ’11, Corbin Edmonds ’14, Daryl Edmonds, Tomma Edmonds, Courtney (Edmonds) Harris ’09, Alex Harris, Audrey Harris 8 | Cedarville Magazine