The New Plan

Well for those of you who don't already know, amidst all of this housing uncertainty over the last few months, we were also very up in the air regarding our future plans. Ryan was accepted to a doctoral program at the University of Texas at Austin, but we had waited forever (it seemed) and still hadn't heard back from BYU. I ought to mention that Ryan had not even discussed with his principal the possibility that he might not be returning to teach next year. He had also gone so far as to accept the position of student council adviser for the 2008-2009 school year. As far as future educational paths were concerned, however, whether or not Ryan would be accepted to BYU was a rather important detail while shopping for a house...um, which state should we be looking in: Texas or Utah?

Toward the beginning of April, I had all but resigned myself to the fact that he wasn't going to be accepted to BYU and that I ought to start seriously considering Texas survival techniques (in fact, I spent several feverish days looking into cross-country moving, campus housing, Medicaid and other government help, etc., etc.). Ryan called me one evening from his school with the announcement that he had a full schedule of French classes next year and would no longer be able to be the student council adviser. I was floored and elated--I hated the idea of him being so busy again with extra-curricular activities. He had gone from just five sections of French this year to over seven sections; they even had to turn some students away because there wasn't room. Amazing! He is such a great teacher and the kids love him so much! So, now we're thinking: "Maybe God wants us to stay even though he might not get into BYU?"

So, we continued the Utah County house hunt. To condense the end of an already really long story, Ryan got into the BYU program! But by the time we found out, we had already put an offer on this house in American Fork and had pretty much decided to stay regardless. I think God sometimes makes you take a step in the dark before the path becomes clear again. It is amazing how everything has worked out after such a long time of uncertainty and confusion. We are so happy to finally have some direction again. Ryan will start his Educational Leadership doctoral program at BYU this summer and be able to continue teaching at Lakeridge full-time, which he absolutely loves. The program is 5-6 years and he'll probably be really busy that whole time, but at least we know that it is the direction that God wants for us.


As for me, the only new thing is that I am going to start back at my old job at Utah Valley Hospital. My first day back is this Friday. I will just do one night shift a week. Thankfully, Preston has decided to be a good sleeper and even sleeps in his own bed and loves it, so it should work out pretty nicely. Anyway, sorry for the long journal entry. I PROMISE to actually download some pictures and have a much funner post soon.