FINALLY!!!

After many long months of waiting, we have finally decided on a PhD program for the fall! It's a long story, but this is my blog, so I think I'll just tell you the whole story. It all started in the second week of March. Chris received the news that he had been accepted to Boston University. After doing some research on the program he was really excited and thought it was a great fit. BU has a lot to offer in terms of Ancient Christianity (Chris' area of study). In addition, they are connected to the BTI (Boston Theological Institute), which means Chris could take classes offered at Harvard, Boston College and several other Universities in the area. Our one area of concern was housing. A good friend of ours mentioned that he knew a couple that was living in Boston and working as Resident Managers of a house for International Students. He thought his friends might be finishing up their term at this house and they would need a replacement couple. After hearing this we found out the job was indeed open and we filled out the applications. While filling out these applications we realized our desire to be involved in ministry again. My desire for international ministry and Chris' desire to work with students were both very strong. The ministry of the international house was combining the two and we were excited! Our friend got us in contact with the current resident manager couple and we were able to stay at the house for a night. We had a great time meeting the current resident managers, meeting with one of the board members and having dinner with another PhD student at BU. We were excited about the move to Boston, but still not sure how it was going to work unless we got this job. Shortly after returning from our trip we found out that Chris was accepted to Emory University in Atlanta. Now we were torn. Chris' brother Paul and his wife Erin live in Atlanta and we wanted to be near them. We also found out that there were 2 other couples (that were strong candidates) applying for the job in Boston. We began to pray that God would make it clear where he wants us to be. We both felt a peace and openness to wherever he might lead us. We decided that if we got the job we would move to Boston taking that as the Lord's direction. The next week we took a trip to Boston for an interview (for the position as resident managers) and told them we needed to make our decision soon. Our Interview was on Friday afternoon and we asked if they could make a decision by Thursday of the following week. Thankfully, they said they could. We heard back on Thursday morning and the position of Resident Managers was offered to us! We are always amazed at God's timing. It is always a joy to see the beauty of his plan unfold. Although this decision was bittersweet (as we had a strong desire to be with Paul and Erin in Atlanta), we are truly at peace about it and look forward to the next 5 years in Boston!

Here is a picture of our future home