Hi all! Maybe I should say "Ya'll" now...
It is two weeks away from our big move to Oklahoma and we couldn't be more excited.
I know you were all shocked to see our big social media announcement. You were probably thinking, " Woah, I thought you guys decided NOT to go to law school a while ago."
Well, we did. We decided not to go, settled down and made plans, and then, God intervened.
Here's what happened: Eric and I were totally set on him attending law school in the fall, but we wanted to be sure we chose wisely. He had three solid options. Actually, more like 2.
Nebraska and Kansas. While visiting both, he also visited OU which he had applied for.
Well, after his visit to all three, OU turned out to be his favorite and he even said verbatim, "If I don't get into OU, I don't want to go to law school at all." I was a bit shocked by this statement but, after research, I understood why. It's a great school with great faculty and a high success rate in graduates.
5 months later, Eric was not loving his job at Target as a Senior Team Leader. The money was good but, I mean, it takes a special personality to love retail.
I will never forget it. He came home one day extremely bummed about his job. It just wasn't for him and I could tell he was still bummed about not hearing from OU and that this whole law school thing didn't work out. It was well past the deadline to commit to a law school and we knew, despite having never gotten a letter or email, that he did not get into OU.
Sooo, we made other plans and thought seriously about other routes. Seminary and the military were both options we considered seriously.
With Eric seriously considering Air Force OTS, I was becoming more and more regretful of our decision not to go to law school. "Why did I allow fear to overcome me and make my decision?" I even went so far as convincing myself that I was the one who snatched this law school dream out of Eric's hands because I feared it too much. I know that's not entirely true. It was a decision we both made, but I couldn't help but wonder "What if...?" It was really killing me. "We should have just gone to Nebraska!" I would think.
Weeks went by and Eric and I continued to pray to the Lord about the options and what we should do. We asked that He would clearly illuminate what it was that He wanted Eric to pursue. One morning, on my morning commute, I asked God to show us if Eric was meant to join the Air Force. I said, "If this is not what you want for us, please clearly show a different path."
I am not kidding... the same day, Eric received a phone call from the Director of Admissions at the University of Oklahoma College of Law. HE HAD BEEN ACCEPTED! And with a nice-sized scholarship as well.
"What?! It has passed the deadline!" I couldn't believe it.
We were so astounded by the Lord's answer to our prayers.
I, being the more impulsive decision maker, was set on going right away, but with Eric, the wise deliberate decision-maker, we had to pray about it and seek wisdom.
So, here we are, following the Lord's call to Oklahoma. And we are so thrilled to see what the Lord has in store!
A number of reactions I get when I tell people the news:
1) Wow, aren't there tornadoes out there?
Why, yes, there are. It's right in the middle of tornado alley actually. And Reed Timmer lives there... that should explain how exciting the weather is in Okie.
2) Aw, Oklahoma? Don't worry, it'll only be three years!
Ha, this one is funny. Guys, law school is only three years but we are attending OU with the desire to live there long term. In the law school world, the state you study in, is the state you will most likely end up practicing in. And guess what, we have no problem with that!
To be honest, I've never liked California much. Now, I love it because it's where I grew up but just hear me out:
It's got boring weather (75 degrees everyday, even on Christmas. *yawn*) It's crazy expensive... guess what our rent will be for a decent-sized two bedroom duplex with a yard? A third of what we were paying for our smaller-sized apartment in San Diego!
Lastly, when you live in a place where it's not so congested, smoggy, trafficky, and where you don't have to be a millionaire to have a backyard... it tends to be a decent place to live! Also, people are just friendlier! That's Oklahoma for ya.
Many would disagree with me on that, and if that's the case, you can stay put. I'll be happy in our new home state. :)
Now, I'm no expert on Oklahoma and I might be judged for being a California native (maybe I should keep that on the down-low) But I have a strong feeling I will fall in love with that place... and their football team. BOOMER SOONER!
3) Woah! Won't you miss everyone?
YES! That has been the hardest part about moving halfway across the country (potentially forever). But I know that the Lord will provide and that family and friends are always just a phone call away. It will be tough, but this is where God has us, and we want to be faithful to him. And not that family could ever be replaced, but we will aim to find some very close friends out there and we can't wait to get plugged into an awesome church.
4) But, Chelsey, I thought you wanted to have kids!
Yes, I do!!! I want babies and lots of 'em. But my baby fever subsided instantly when I saw the look on my husband's face the night he came home from work and told me he hated it. My role as my husband's wife and encourager comes before any child we make. Even when we have children, my marriage comes first. By loving and supporting my husband in this endeavor, I am being faithful to the Lord and what he calls me to do. I am doing the most loving thing for my future child right now by waiting to have him or her.
However, if God so chooses to bless us with a child earlier than planned, we will happily make adjustments for him or her. Also, I'm only 23 folks. Lord-willing, I'll be plenty fertile for many more years. There's time.
Oh, and you may be wondering why I renamed my blog "Law Student's Wife". This blog will be my way of updating family and friends on our journey. Oh and that's what I am... a law student's wife... Called to support and encourage my husband on this journey God has us on.
Until next time... Toodles!
