Friday, March 29, 2013

Day 58 – { acceptance }

Three days after my last post, on March 15, 2013, we received two letters in the mail, one from Colorado State and one from Central Arkansas. I resigned myself to the first being a rejection letter and hoped that the second was not. I decided to open the “bad news” first.

I read the first paragraph and did not see the words “regret to inform you”  or “unfortunately”. I read it again. It began to dawn on me that this was not a rejection letter. I read it again, then ran into the kitchen screaming for DC.

He came downstairs thinking there was a giant spider to be reckoned with. I could hardly speak because I was shrieking and laughing and crying at the same time. It was miraculously, unbelievably true: he had been accepted to Colorado State University’s prestigious occupational therapy program. (We nearly didn’t even apply to it because we thought the chances were so slim.)

We know this was an answer to prayers and fasting. We are so, so grateful!

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After the euphoria settled down a little (it took a few days, I think :0), we crunched the numbers and saw that to move to Fort Collins and go to CSU would be a bit more expensive than staying here and going to UCA (if he is admitted there, too). We took about a week discussing all the pros and cons and talking to our children and asking pretty much anyone who would listen what they thought was best.

Last Saturday we went to the Memphis Temple. Exacto was super sweet to watch his siblings here at home so that DC and I could be in the temple together. We felt peace about accepting the spot at Colorado State, and announced it to our children over Reese’s Klondike bars when we got home. :o)

Now that the decision is made, it feels like moving a mountain by shovel to work out all the details with selling the house, getting his additional prereq’s taken care of, finding a place to live there by early May in order to get residency for next summer, etc., all with the looming knowledge that the salary will be stopping in a few months. Lead, Kindly Light is quickly becoming our daily theme song.

It breaks my heart to leave Arkansas. It feels way, way out of my comfort zone, which is so funny to me because our first year here I felt like a outsider that would never belong or like it here. But nine years and lots of wonderful, loving friends have firmly rooted a big ol’ chunk of my heart right here in central Arkansas. I can hardly stand to think about the actual leaving. If my family would just move here. . . .if the symphony would suddenly just double his income and move all concerts to weekdays during the day (haha). . . .:o)
100 days of gratitude tag
I know that Heavenly Father answered our prayers, and that we are meant to be there in Colorado for the next two years. I am so grateful.

13 comments:

snbjork said...[Reply to comment]

I am so selfishly thrilled that you will only be a couple of hours away! Lead, Kindly Light has always been one of my very favorite hymns. Everything will work out one way or another, you'll see.

KW said...[Reply to comment]

Congrats!! What exciting and nerve racking news. Although everything always works out in the end it can be stressful. Sounds like it will be a great opportunity for him.

Amanda said...[Reply to comment]

I heard the news on Wednesday evening. I am excited for you all! I am really really really going to miss yall though! I was pulling for UCA but I am glad that Heavenly Father is taking your family where He wants you to go. If I thought laying in front of the moving truck would change things, I would... ;)

Peg Lewis said...[Reply to comment]

I'm so happy for all of us who live way out west and never had a hope of seeing you again! Now we'll put you on our itinerary and be able to begin to catch up. All I can say is YAY for us, and if it's YAY for you, that's a win-win!

Grandma said...[Reply to comment]

We are so happy for you all, but I want you to know how much we will miss you.
I have enjoyed your sweet family. You are all such a great example to us and to our ward. I loved having Hyrum in my CTR-6 class and seeing Rosemary as a Sunbeam in our Primary this year.
Good luck in Colorado. Hopefully, you will be able to visit your Arkansas family again.
Congratulations Chris!! This is exciting news for you and your family.
Jim and Pat Davis

Unknown said...[Reply to comment]

Wish it was back to Florida :) but congrats and good luck Baker's!

Marc and Megan said...[Reply to comment]

What exciting news for your family!! I have a couple of friends who live in Fort Collins. If you need any help finding a place to live or have questions about specific areas of town (or whatever), I'm sure I could get you in touch with them. If you would like their contact info, just send me an email (I think you have it) or leave a comment on my blog. I hope all goes well with getting everything together!

Unknown said...[Reply to comment]

you will be greatly missed here! So happy for ya'll though, it sounds like a great opportunity. Good luck!

The Hof family said...[Reply to comment]

this is super exciting! Well I'm kind of sad I don't get to see you when we visit Arkansas, but you guys are going to be closer to us now, so hopefully we can meet up and have some German food with you guys!

Amanda said...[Reply to comment]

Well if you going to go anyway...
http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/fortcollins/
Looks like another good reason to visit you there :)

my kids' mom said...[Reply to comment]

We are SO gonna miss you guys! But happy for you also. I know you'll always have part of your heart here, so hoping to see you again once in awhile! You're beautiful family will be greatly missed!

Martie said...[Reply to comment]

Congratulations, friend! I hope everything falls right into place for all of you!

Cindi M said...[Reply to comment]

Such great news! Congratulations Chris, Michelle, and all the kids too. Just remember to take time for yourself Michelle. If the mom is peaceful, the kids will be peaceful about a big move.