It's Official!!

Jonathan accepted LSU's offer for a full ride and we are moving to Louisiana! His application to UCSB was declined which made the decision easy. So Baton Rouge here we come! We are so excited and nervous to start planning for this new adventure in our lives. The PhD program will take 4 years and we'll most likely be moving there around the end of July beginning of August since the semester starts around mid August. We're planning on visiting the city and LSU a few weeks from now. Thank you so much for your prayers and we'd appreciate your continued prayers! God made it so abundantly clear that LA is where he wants us and we feel really blessed that Jon has the opportunity to get his PhD for free and teach there. God is good.

The latest.

Ok, so we're nearing the end of March and I know I've been lagging on the posts this month. It's not because I don't have any thoughts on what's going on with Jon and I and graduate school, but its because I've had so many thoughts lately that I don't know how to even begin to write them down. And really...who wants to read my random and very scattered thoughts? All I can say is this past month I've been feeling a rising sene of panic asking myself if we are really moving to the south for the next 4-5 years. It's amazing how slow time passes by when you're waiting for something. February was a very slow month and I couldn't wait for March because March meant that we would find out where Jonathan was accepeted or declined and by then we would definitely know where we're going. I was wrong. Jonathan's application to UCSB has been "on hold" this month and as of today it still is. However, we did just find out a couple days ago that Jon's application to Northwestern was declined, which at this point in the journey only makes us glad that we are getting closer to finding out where the Lord is going to send us.

I was talking to a good friend about the anxieties and fears I've been struggling with in thinking about moving to Louisiana. She told me that Jon receiving a full ride to LSU in addition to pay to teach there is such a huge gift from God and if that's where He wants us, He has something incredible in store for us there, both individually and as a couple. She told me to look at what's been offered as the Lord's gift to us and asked me, "If someone gives you a present, are you too scared to open it?"

I believe some of the fears and anxieties Jon and I have been experiencing have been tests and the past couple months we've even had some spritual oppression. It's been about a year and a half since we started praying fervently about this decision. We knew there were not many options in California for PhD programs in Communication Studies. Being possibly thousands of miles from our best friends and families was never something we wanted...we have incredible families and absolutely adore our neices and nephews which is mainly what makes this journey so hard. And lets face it, I'm an OC city girl, not a country girl. I have anxieties about where I'm going to get my hair done outside of So Cal, let alone the South! It was only after much prayer that we knew God was calling us to do this and it wasn't solely about Jonathan getting a PhD. There was something more. Of course, him getting a PhD is the end result of graduate school and we daydream about what doors might open once he has it and what college he might be a full time Professor one day, but there's something more we know the Lord wants to do through us & teach us throughout the entire journey. It's in the whole process that we learn and grow. So right now, in this time of waiting to hear from one last college (UCSB), I am just clinging to Proverbs 16:9, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines His steps."

That is all we want...to be in His will and go where He leads us despite our own fears and anxieties. I just want to find out where that is! We're getting very close!

thought of the day.

Lately, I've been discovering a whole new phenomenon called "unsolicited parenting advice." Now, for those of you who are parents, you already know about this... but to the average joe shmo with no kids such as myself, this is an endeavor which we have not quite discovered yet, until for me just recently.

I was babysitting my nephew and took him for a stroll in the park. While we were there, he started crying and I was A-MAZED at all the unsolicited advice I received from total strangers as they walked by me! For some strange reason, people felt the need to give me their thoughts as to why "my child" was crying and what he needed. Really-- is why a baby cries up for open public debate?  I don't know how all you moms handle it. I know people are just trying to be helpful, but does having a baby give everyone the right to judge what you do or don't do as a parent? It's actually kind of humorous.

Turns out my nephew had an ear infection. Could they have guessed that one?

I know this is just one small incident but it made me much more aware of the fact that so many people want to direct others on their parenting style or what is best for their child. So, I just felt the need to say to all you mommies out there who deal with this and manage to keep your cool with people who pass by & feel the need to give their unsolicited advice--you should be nominated for sainthood.

Grad School Update!

On Wednesday we found out Jonathan's been accepted to the doctoral program at Louisiana State University and offered a full ride! In addition to his tuition being waived, he's been awarded an assistantship position which means he'd be getting paid to teach two classes each semester while working towards his PhD!

We still have two more schools to hear from (UC Santa Barbara and Northwestern) so were not making any decisions yet. We do know that Jon being offered a full ride and the assistanship is a HUGE determining factor, which is what we've been hoping and praying for all along. The scary but really exciting thing is now we know this is really happening... We are going somewhere and it just might be Louisiana! Umm crazy.

We're hoping to maybe visit LSU in Baton Rouge in the next few months or so to get a feel for what the school/city/people are like. After we found out the big news Wednesday, I've been doing my research on LSU and here's what I know so far...

LSU absolutely loves their football! LSU is one of the best colleges for tailgating and Tiger Stadium seats over 92,000 fans.

They have themed Bud Lights cans. awesome.

They have collegiate snuggies. (If we go, I will be getting one)

They have a live mascot, Mike the Tiger. Scary.

LSU is in Baton Rouge and Baton Rouge likes jazz.

They really like beer and crawfish.

They are about an hour or so away from New Orleans.

Home of The Superbowl Champions- The Saints and Mardi Gras.

CABO '10

In January we went to Cabo San Lucas with friends & had such an amazing time! Good food and good beer with great friends all week long was some serious good times. Probably the most relaxing vacation we've had. Thanks Cass & Priscilla for being so rad and letting us stay with you at the beautiful Montecristo! We feel really blessed to have such awesome friends!

 

UT funding decisions

We recently received word from UT, Austin that Jonathan did not receive a funding offer. However, things are still flexible. Basically, they said to not give up all hope because if more funded students than they expect turn them down before the April 15 deadline, then funding for unfunded students can come up.

Arizona Out.

Jon received an email today from Arizona State University saying his application was denied. So now we know that Arizona is not where the Lord wants us. 3 more schools to still hear from. Just waiting and continually learning to trust.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Update!

Jonathan's application to attend graduate school in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Texas at Austin for Fall, 2010 has been accepted by the Interpersonal Communication faculty!

However, funding decisions are still pending and he'll be notified of those decisions in the next few weeks.

Receiving the funding is a huge determent for us in considering going to Austin. Financial assistance is available mainly through teaching assignments. So our hope is that Jonathan would be offered an Assistant Instructor position, but ultimately we want whatever the Lord has planned for us and continue to pray for just that.

So proud of Jon for getting accepted to UT! We have yet to hear from the other schools, but I will keep you posted as soon we do!

And so we wait...

As of today, all of Jon's applications are officially done! Yipeee!

He also received an email from Northwestern saying they would make an admission decision in the middle of March. Two more months! It makes me wonder if the other schools (besides UT Austin) are going to take a couple more months to make their decisions. This waiting period is going to be a test of my patience! It's so hard not knowing what's going to happen and if we're going to be uprooting our lives in a short 6 months from now. Lord give us patience and strength!

PhD Update

So far, all of Jonathan's applications have been submitted except for one. Lousiana State University is the last one left, which is due January 31st. Most likely, we'll hear back from the schools in the order that the applications were sent out. UT Austin recently told Jon they would make a decision by the second week in February. Here were the application dealines to give you an idea:

Northwestern- Dec. 1
UT Austin- Dec. 15
UC Santa Barbara- Jan. 1
Arizona State University- Jan. 5
Louisiana State University- Jan. 31

I am so proud of Jonathan for working so hard over the last few months to get these applications done! With each application submitted, the possibility of moving and beginning this journey is becoming more real. We know that there's a possibility he could be accepted to only l school or all 5 schools or none at all, but this is where we trust in the Lord and know that it is in His Hands now. Regardless of the outcome, I am so proud of Jonathan for going after his dream. As his wife, it makes me happy to see him flourish!

I came across this quote a couple months ago, put it on a sticky note and its been on Jon's desktop (where's he's been working countless hours) ever since. It's just a good reminder to not just fantasize about your dreams, but to pursue them.

"The worst thing one can do is not to try, to be aware of what one wants and not give in to it, to spend years in silent hurt wondering if something could have materialized - and never knowing." -David Viscott

Going after a dream or a goal can feel so daunting! If you listen too much to the anxious feelings, they'll tell you to stop before you begin.

Wine and a Flat Iron. Amen.

www.zgallerie.com

One of the many reasons why I love Z-Gallerie is for their bar accessories! I was browsing online and came across these cocktail napkins. If you know me then you know how fitting this is! Cheers.

Stinkin Lincoln.

Baby Lincoln turned one on December 15! Can't believe how fast his first year went by!! It's so much fun being an auntie! I'm always entertained... seriously never a dull moment when we get together with 3 screamin mimi's in the fam now! We celebrated Linc's birthday at Eric & Lauren's. Stinkin Lincoln had a great time and no problem polishing off his cupcake.

         Grandpa loves eating toes.                                          

Halle & Laina loved opening up Lincoln's presents and standing on them.