The Big Send Off - day three, four & five

More of Megan's Going Off to College journey.

Jim loading up the van on Thursday morning

Heading south

Megan finishing up her required summer reading

Holly settling in for a long ride

We stopped in Lynchburg for lunch. Megan chatting by phone to one of her friends. Yes, it was raining!

 

 

First stop - Gramma Bea's house near Charlotte.

Holly gazes out Gramma's front door.

Gramma invited her friend, Michael, over for dinner. His sister is attending Belmont Abbey, too.

Thursday night at Gramma's

Friday morning on campus. All checked in - now to unload.

St. Leo's Hall. The book store, gift shop and lots of other offices and rooms are located here.

The Haid theater and ballroom. This is where we had to go to check in.

Megan's dorm.

The door to her room.

Lovey Bear settling in.

Unpacking

 

The desks in place ...

and the beds, too!

Here are some photos of the buildings and grounds taken throughout the weekend. Belmont Abbey has a beautiful campus. The monastery is located on-site and the monks are the primary caretakers of the grounds. In fact, the students and staff are really their guests and should behave as such.

The view looking out from the top floor of the dorm.

View from the top floor behind the dorm.

The Student Commons. This is where the dining hall is located.

The St. Joseph Adoration Chapel. My sister, who works in Belmont, comes here to pray on her lunch hour everyday.

Abbey Basilica of Maryhelp, under the patronage of Mary, Help of Christians. Built between 1892 - 1893. Unfortunately, the interior was radically renovated in 1964 removing the beautiful Gothic back altar and arches. Now it looks more like an auditorium than a Basilica. At least they kept the windows - they're breathtaking. The windows, each depicting a single saint, are not stained. They are portraits painted on glass.

Before the parents parted from their kids, a photo was taken of the Belmont Abbey College class of 2014. Immediately following the photo session, the students were instructed to bid a very quick farewell to their families, then move quickly on to their next activity. Not much time for lingering hugs or for tears. Of course, that was the plan.

Belmont Abbey College Class of  2014

Here we are with new friends, Chip, Stephanie & Amanda. (Michael's family) Megan and Amanda met via Facebook and have become very, very good friends. Jim and I really enjoyed meeting her parents. God's hand is clearly evident in this new found friendship between our two families and particularly Amanda's & Megan's.

Gramma Bea joined us for the Saturday evening activities. She had such a good time!

St. Benedict, pray for us!